Mammal Ecology Group

CATHERINE wATERS, final year postgraduate student

The red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris is native to Ireland but their numbers have been in decline here since the early part of last century; this can mainly be attributed to the introduction of the grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis in 1911.  The translocation of squirrels to two separate sites in the west of Ireland was attempted to expand the distribution of the red squirrel and to try and conserve their numbers from dropping any further.  This project's main aim is to monitor the post release stage of those translocations at Derryclare woodland, Connemara, Co. Galway and Belleek wood, Ballina Co. Mayo and examine how the squirrels adapt to their new habitats and use the resources available to them.  This information will then be used to further model the development of the populations into the future .

emma sheehy, third year postgraduate student

Recent anecdotal reports have linked a revival of red squirrel populations and a reduction in the range of grey squirrels, in certain midland counties of Ireland, with the resurgence of the pine marten.  It has been suggested that the pine marten is preying on the introduced grey squirrel to a greater extent than the more nimble red squirrel.  This projects aims to investigate the relationship between the three species, and identify the impact that the pine marten is having on squirrel dynamics in Ireland, if any.  The work will feed into existing squirrel research in the Mammal Ecology group and inform conservation and management policies in Ireland and other parts of Europe.  The initial stage of the project involves a survey of the three species in the counties in question.  Further details can be found at the project website http://www.woodlandmammals.com/

emily goldstein, second year postgraduate student 

The 2007 survey of Irish squirrel populations noted that the invasive grey squirrels have continued to spread to the north, east and south of their previous recorded range. This project aims to investigate the population dynamics and demographics of grey squirrels at the edge of their invasion frontier. This information will be used to model future range expansion of grey squirrels in Ireland. The model will complete the picture of grey squirrel invasion in Europe and will help to explain why the grey squirrel invasion in Ireland has moved more slowly than in other countries where the grey squirrel has also been introduced (e.g. the UK). This project links in well with ongoing red and grey squirrel research in the Mammal Ecology Group and elsewhere in Europe and will be able to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of species invasions at the range frontier.

Alan Poole, PhD awarded 2007

Translocation is the deliberate movement of wild individuals or populations in order to establish a viable, free-ranging population in the wild.  This project aimed to expand the current distribution of red squirrels in Ireland, by translocating a number of individuals into a woodland in Connemara, uninhabited by squirrels (red or grey).  Care was taken to follow the IUCN guidelines throughout, and so the source population was fully assessed before any animals were removed, squirrels were moved, under licence, to enclosures within the target site and a post-translocation monitoring was carried out in both the source and target sites.  The resulting translocation was a success with good recovery in the source population, better than expected survival over the first winter in the target site, and evidence of breeding the following spring.  The behaviour of newly translocated individuals in setting up new home ranges was assessed.  Models were developed predicting the success of future translocations and investigating the minimum requirements of a translocated population.

Niamh Quinn, Phd awarded 2010

Activities, such as grazing by farm animals, can greatly affect grassland habitats, and therefore have an impact upon the wildlife that depends on that habitat.  Pygmy shrews are an important species in Ireland as they are listed as protected under the Bern Convention (Appendix III).  Wood mice are common to most Irish habitats and are not protected, but are vital members of the mammal community.  The objective of my project is to investigate the impact of hill sheep activity on wood mice and pygmy shrew population dynamics and diet on the Teagasc Hill Sheep Farm, Leenane, Co. Mayo. 

Conall Hawkins, PHD Awarded 2010

My research focuses on aspects of the ecology of American mink ( Mustela vison) in Ireland. The American mink is a semi-aquatic Mustelid (member of the weasel family). Mink in Ireland are an invasive alien species, it was introduced for fur-farming purposes in the 1950’s; descendants of escapees are now found feral throughout the country. Mink are considered by many to be a pest, because of damage to fisheries, poultry and native wildlife. I’m researching the damage caused by mink to economic interests in Ireland, the methods used to control mink populations and the effectiveness of these measures.

Peter Stuart, PHD awarded 2010

The project I am working on aims to investigate the role of carnivores in the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis.  Bovine neosporosis is a disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan, Neospora caninum, which infects a wide variety of mammals, but primarily dogs and cattle.  Neospora can cause abortions in cattle and has been found in up to 90% of cattle in some herds.  Therefore an improved understanding of its modes of transmission, so that preventative methods of its spread can be put in place, is required.  I will be assessing the prevalence of bovine neosporosis in the Irish population of American mink ( Mustela vison), fox ( Vulpes vulpes) and badger ( Meles meles). Otter ( Lutra lutra) and stoat ( Mustela erminea) will also be examined, where samples come available, to see if they warrant further study.  The presence of Neospora will be looked for in brain (using PCR techniques), faeces (using microscopic examination and PCR techniques) and blood (using ELISA tests) samples from these animals.  Later in the project, field techniques will be developed to investigate how transmission is occurring between wild carnivores and cattle.

Reilly dibner, MSc awarded 2010

I study amphibians, not mammals, but use the same approaches to addressing research questions as my mammalogist labmates. 

Amphibians are excellent indicators of ecosystem health and currently face extinction and decline worldwide.  Ireland’s only frog, the European common frog ( Rana temporaria), is threatened by habitat loss throughout the country.  Alongside pesticide use, water pollution, and urban development, forestry is one pressure that could endanger the frog.  There is, however, a distinct lack of information detailing how frogs respond to forest planting and clear-felling in Ireland, and how the species copes in a fragmented landscape of bogs and conifer forest.  The National Parks and Wildlife service has funded my study of frog activity in unplanted peat bogs, clear-felled forests, and standing conifer plantations to assess differences in breeding patterns and development success.  The field study sites are located in the Nephin Beg Mountains north of Newport, County Mayo, and around the Maumturk Mountains in Connemara, County Galway.   

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility