A Viable Population of the European Red Squirrel in an Urban Park

摘要: Whether urban parks can maintain viable and self-sustaining populations over the long term is questionable. In highly urbanized landscapes, could play a role in biodiversity conservation by providing habitat resources to native species. However, inhabiting are usually small isolated, leading increased demographic stochasticity genetic drift, with expected negative consequences on their viability. Here, we investigated European red squirrel population located an park close Paris, France (Parc de Sceaux; 184 ha) assess its Using mitochondrial D-loop sequences 13 microsatellite loci, showed that presented high levels of variation no evidence inbreeding. The size was estimated at 100–120 individuals based comparison two census techniques, Distance Sampling Capture-Mark-Recapture. heterozygosity level were integrated Population Viability Analysis project likelihood population's persistence time. Results indicate this be (i.e. 20 years) for range realistic parameters (juvenile survival least >40%) immigration rates (at one event every years). This study highlights potential suitable refuges squirrel, locally threatened species across western countries, provided ecological corridors maintained.