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Hybridisation and gene introgression are important sources of diversification, the relevance of which in the evolutionary processes is well recognised. Their fitness consequences in animal populations, however, are not sufficiently well understood, despite hybridisation rates becoming increasingly important worldwide following human‐related activities such as domestication, game management and habitat alteration.In Europe, the density and distribution of native ungulates have largely been influenced by humans since pre‐historic times. This, alongside the introduction of non‐native and domesticated species, may bear major consequences at the genetic and population levels. We provide an updated overview of recent hybridisation events in wild European ungulates; we describe their ecological drivers, extent, current distribution, potential consequences and proposed management strategies.We reviewed the scientific literature published between 2000 and 2018 and found that confirmed hybridisation was described in 75 of the 89 references we included, involving nearly all the species that we investigated. Most researchers relied on genetic information for hybrid identification, which often involved a domestic counterpart. However, introductions and translocations also led to crossbreeding between wild ungulate (sub)species. Only 43 papers provided management recommendations, mostly focused on preventing hybridisation and removing hybrids.Hybridisation proved to be relatively common in several ungulate taxa in Europe. Despite reported changes in phenotype and fitness‐related traits in some species, the consequences of hybridisation for adaptation, life history, and evolutionary potential remain largely unknown. The current conservation paradigm aims to prevent the spread of domestic or non‐native genes in native populations; accordingly, conservation plans should: 1) determine the genetic origin of possible source populations; 2) protect native populations from the risk of crossbreeding with non‐native ones, and 3) establish permanent monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining reliable information on animal abundance in mountainous landscapes is challenging. Highly heterogeneous habitats tend to reduce detection probabilities, and the three-dimensional, rugged nature of the terrain poses severe limits to the fulfilment of a number of assumptions underlying several statistical methods. In this study, we compared the performance of 4 methods to estimate population size of Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), a highly social semifossorial rodent widely distributed on the European Alps. Between May and August 2015, in a study area within the Stelvio National Park (Italy), we conducted 8 sessions of capture-mark-recapture, 6 sessions of mark-resight from vantage points, 8 sessions of line distance sampling along 4 transects, and 2 sessions using double-observer methods from vantage points. The minimum number of animals alive, obtained during the mark-resight surveys, was n=54 individuals. Capture-mark-recapture models estimated a population size of n=56 individuals (95% CI=45-87); similar, but more precise estimates were obtained with the mark-resight approach (Bowden's estimator: n=62, 95% CI=54-71; Poisson log-normal estimator: n=62, 95% CI=55-69). Line transect distance sampling and double-observer methods were severely biased low (line transect distance sampling: n=24 individuals, 95% CI=19-31; independent double-observer: n=24, 95% CI=22-35; dependent doubleobserver: n=15, 95% CI=15-20). Our results suggest that the probabilistic approach based on marked individuals yielded fairly robust estimates of population size. The underestimates obtained using distance sampling and double-observer methods were likely due to the violation of some underlying assumptions. While the topography of the mountainous landscape makes it difficult to randomize the distribution of line transects, the burrowing behaviour of the species is likely to violate the assumption of perfect detection on the transect; in addition, the semifossorial habits of marmots lower their detection probabilities, thus hampering the performance of these methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male ungulates in temperate environments often show a severe reduction in time spent foraging during the mating season. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain this phenomenon but, so far, no study investigated the proximate mechanisms underlying rut-induced hypophagia in ungulates using alternative mating tactics ( AMTs). Between the pre-rut and post-rut of 2011 and 2012, we collected data on activity budgets, parasite burden and androgen levels of territorial and non-territorial male Alpine chamois Rupicapra r. rupicapra in the Gran Paradiso National Park ( Italy). We aimed to investigate whether AMTs showed similar reduction in time spent foraging during the mating period and to test the predictions underlying alternative hypotheses that may explain rut-induced hypophagia. Only territorial males showed a significant reduction in time spent foraging during the rut; the lack of correlation between proportion of time spent foraging and androgen metabolites or parasite burden did not fully support the physiological and the parasite hypotheses, while the foraging constraint, the energy-saving and the physical rest hypotheses could not be discounted. Territorial males decreased the time spent lying down from the pre-rut to the rut, but not their foraging-to-lying-down ratio. During the mating period, we found negative correlations between time spent foraging or lying down and time spent rutting. Our data suggest that territorial males' behaviour is more consistent with the foraging constraint hypothesis than with the energy-saving hypothesis previously suggested. Yet, during the rut territorial males did not maximise their foraging time, and the optimisation of their energy balance could rather depend upon feeding on relatively high-quality plants. This suggestion - possibly named 'forage quality hypothesis' - now requires further investigations. This work showed that alternative mating behaviours may underlie different patterns of foraging strategies: we suggest that tests of alternative hypotheses to explain rut-induced hypophagia within ungulate populations should not ignore the occurrence of AMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Glaciers host a variety of cold‐adapted taxa, many of which have not yet been described. Interactions among glacier organisms are even less clear. Understanding ecological interactions is crucial to unravelling the functioning of glacier ecosystems, particularly in light of current glacier retreat. Through a review of the existing literature, we aim to provide a first overview of the biodiversity, primary production, trophic networks, and matter flow of a glacier ecosystem. We use the Forni Glacier (Central Italian Alps) – one of the best studied alpine glaciers in the world – as a model system for our literature review and integrate additional original data. We reveal the importance of allochthonous organic matter inputs, of Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic green algae in primary production, and the key role of springtails (Vertagopus glacialis) on the glacier surface in sustaining populations of two apex terrestrial predators: Nebria castanea (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Pardosa saturatior (Araneae: Lycosidae). The cryophilic tardigrade Cryobiotus klebelsbergi is the apex consumer in cryoconite holes. This short food web highlights the fragility of nodes represented by invertebrates, contrasting with structured microbial communities in all glacier habitats. Although further research is necessary to quantify the ecological interactions of glacier organisms, this review summarises and integrates existing knowledge about the ecological processes on alpine glaciers and supports the importance of glacier‐adapted organisms in providing ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes of the genus Dictyocaulus are the causative agents of parasitic bronchitis and pneumonia in several domestic and wild ungulates. Various species have been described in wild cervids, as the case of Dictyocaulus cervi in red deer, recently described as a separate species from Dictyocaulus eckerti. In Italy, information on dictyocaulosis in wildlife is limited and often outdated. In this work, 250 red deer were examined for the presence of Dictyocaulus spp. in two areas of the Italian Alps (n = 104 from Valle d'Aosta, n = 146 from Stelvio National Park), and the retrieved lungworms were molecularly characterized. Lungworms were identified in 23 and 32 animals from Valle d'Aosta and Stelvio National Park, respectively. The nematodes, morphologically identified as D. cervi, were characterized molecularly (18S rDNA, ITS2, and coxI). Consistently, almost all specimens were found to be phylogenetically related to D. cervi. Three individuals, detected from both study sites and assigned to an undescribed Dictyocaulus sp., clustered with Dictyocaulus specimens isolated from red deer and fallow deer in previous studies. Within each of D. cervi and the undescribed Dictyocaulus sp., the newly isolated nematodes phylogenetically clustered based on their geographical origin. This study revealed the presence of D. cervi in Italian red deer, and an undetermined Dictyocaulus sp. that should be more deeply investigated. The results suggest that further analyses should be focused on population genetics of cervids and their lungworms to assess how they evolved, or co-evolved, throughout time and space and to assess the potential of transmission towards farmed animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covariance structure patterning of the phenotype can provide important insights into the evolution of forms. In this paper, we characterize the sex-specific phenotypic structure of cranial morphology in the four subspecies of chamois Rupicapra rupicapra (balcanica, carpatica, tatrica and rupicapra). We investigate variation in 18 craniometric characters of 360 adults chamois. Compared to the other subspecies, tatrica showed a highly integrated cranium. The cranium of carpatica and balcanica evolved in a more modular fashion, with most conspicuous nasal and oral modules. Females showed stronger correlations among cranial traits than males, suggesting higher potential for adaptations to new environmental conditions in the latter, matching sex-specific behavioral features. Subspecies rupicapra and tatrica showed contrasting levels of overall integration, followed by low levels of modularity, with sexual differences only in rupicapra. Our results suggest that, patterns and magnitudes of correlations among skeletal elements of the skull can evolve within a species through habitat and sexual selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The habitat use of European badgers Meles meles remains relatively understudied in mountainous environments, particularly in Alpine regions. In this study, we investigated the habitat use of European badgers in a study area within the Stelvio National Park (central Italian Alps) and assessed whether they exhibit different patterns compared to habitats commonly frequented by this species. We collected data from May to October between 2019 and 2023 using 45 camera traps randomly distributed over the study area, spanning elevations from 1400 to 2500 m a.s.l. We fitted a single-season, single-species occupancy model to calculate detection and occupancy probability as a function of site-specific environmental covariates. Our findings indicate that badgers primarily used areas with a high percentage of forest cover at lower elevation, favouring these habitats over higher elevation areas. Although badgers were detected at remarkably high elevations (up to 2406 m), most detections occurred below or near the treeline. This preference reflects the importance of forests, which provide abundant food resources and suitable soils for sett construction. Additionally, badgers tended to avoid north-facing slopes, possibly due to less favourable conditions such as colder temperatures. Furthermore, they showed a slight tendency to use steeper slopes (15–20 degrees) likely due to better drainage and more opportunities for sett construction, and appeared to be unaffected by human activity. These findings provide new insights into the habitat use of badgers in mountainous regions, highlighting the species’ plasticity and its ability to adapt to diverse landscapes and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faecal cortisol/corticosterone metabolites (FCMs) have become increasingly popular as an easy-to-sample, non-invasive and feedback-free alternative to assess glucocorticoid (GC) levels, key components of the neuroendocrine stress response and other physiological processes. While FCMs can be a powerful aid, for instance, for gaining insights into ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as to assess animal welfare or impacts of anthropogenic stressors on wildlife populations, this method comes with specific challenges. Because GCs are heavily metabolised before excretion, it is critical to validate the enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) used to measure FCMs. Additionally, because species may differ in metabolite profiles, assay validation must be performed separately for each focal species. Despite this, the use of unvalidated assays remains widespread. We performed a biological validation experiment to test a set of EIAs to measure FCMs and adrenocortical activity in free-living Alpine marmots Marmot marmota . We capitalised on capture and handling as part of a relocation project of marmots under the assumption that capture, and handling represent a stressful event and tracked changes in FCM levels over the following 48 h. Faeces samples collected at capture were assumed to return baseline FCM levels. Of the three EIAs tested, only the 11-oxoetiocholanolone '72T' EIA detected an increase in FCM levels about 18 h after capture. This result paves the way for future studies using FCMs to investigate the adrenocortical activity in this species., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2025 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Interspecific interactions are important drivers of population dynamics and species distribution. These relationships can increase niche partitioning between sympatric species, which can differentiate space and time use or modify their feeding strategies. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus and red deer Cervus elaphus are two of the most widespread ungulate species in Europe and show spatial and dietary overlap. However, limited information is available on their interspecific relationships, especially in mountainous areas. In this study we used 5 years of camera trapping data collected in the Stelvio National Park (Central Italian Alps) to investigate spatial and temporal interactions between roe deer and red deer. Analyses were based on 2060 and 9030 roe deer and red deer detections, respectively, collected from July to September, from 2019 to 2023, using 50 camera traps randomly distributed over a 10,000-ha study area. Spatial interactions were assessed by fitting a single-season, single-species occupancy model to calculate the probability of roe deer detection and occupancy as a function of relative red deer abundance and site-specific environmental covariates. Temporal interactions were obtained by comparing the diel activity patterns of the two species. Results showed no significant effect of red deer relative abundance on the probability of presence of roe deer. Spatial analysis suggested a higher probability of roe deer presence in forested habitats, at lower elevations, and in areas with gentler slopes. Diel activity patterns of roe deer were consistent across sites with higher and lower red deer relative abundance, with moderate to high interspecific overlap, suggesting moderate temporal partitioning and no major support for temporal avoidance of the latter by the former. The high degree of overlap between the two species may be the result of area-specific ecological conditions, such as the widespread distribution of red deer during the summer period, as well as of the adoption of strategies that favor coexistence., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2025 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aiming to shed light on the biology of wild ruminants, we investigated the gut microbiome seasonal dynamics of the Alpine ibex ( Capra ibex ) from the Central Italian Alps. Feces were collected in spring, summer, and autumn during non-invasive sampling campaigns. Samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, as well as targeted and untargeted metabolomics. Our findings revealed season-specific compositional and functional profiles of the ibex gut microbiome that may allow the host to adapt to seasonal changes in available forage, by fine-tuning the holobiont catabolic layout to fully exploit the available food. Besides confirming the importance of the host-associated microbiome in providing the phenotypic plasticity needed to buffer dietary changes, we obtained species-level genome bins and identified minimal gut microbiome community modules of 11-14 interacting strains as a possible microbiome-based solution for the bioconversion of lignocellulose to high-value compounds, such as volatile fatty acids., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Climate projections predict major changes in alpine environments by the end of the 21st century. To avoid climate-induced maladaptation and extinction, many animal populations will either need to move to more suitable habitats or adapt in situ to novel conditions. Since populations of a species exhibit genetic variation related to local adaptation, it is important to incorporate this variation into predictive models to help assess the ability of the species to survive climate change. Here, we evaluate how the adaptive genetic variation of a mountain ungulate-the Northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)-could be impacted by future global warming. Based on genotype-environment association analyses of 429 chamois using a ddRAD sequencing approach, we identified genetic variation associated with climatic gradients across the European Alps. We then delineated adaptive genetic units and projected the optimal distribution of these adaptive groups in the future. Our results suggest the presence of local adaptation to climate in Northern chamois with similar genetic adaptive responses in geographically distant but climatically similar populations. Furthermore, our results predict that future climatic changes will modify the Northern chamois adaptive landscape considerably, with various degrees of maladaptation risk., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Genetics Society.)

In polygynous ungulates, males may achieve fertilization through the use of alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs), discrete phenotypic variations evolved to maximize fitness. ARTs are often associated with different male spatial strategies during the rut, from territoriality to female-following. Although variation in space use patterns of rutting male ungulates is known to be largely affected by the spatial distribution of females, information on the year-round habitat selection of alternative reproductive types is scant. Here, we investigate the seasonal variation in habitat choice of a large mammal with ARTs (territoriality and nonterritoriality), the Northern chamois Rupicapra rupicapra . Global Positioning System (GPS) data on 28 adult males were collected between February 2010 and December 2013 in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy) and used to fit resource selection functions to explore the ART-specific use of key topographic features, such as elevation, aspect, and slope, and vegetation phenology expressed as NDVI values. Territorial and nonterritorial chamois profoundly differed in their habitat selection not only during the rutting season. Compared to nonterritorial males, territorial males used lower elevations in summer and autumn, preferred southern slopes in spring and summer, and used steeper areas in summer but not in winter. We found no difference in seasonal selection of NDVI values between males adopting ARTs. Our results suggest that territorial males tend to occupy warmer, lower-food-quality habitats in late spring and summer, whereas nonterritorial males are free to follow and exploit vegetation phenology and more favorable temperatures. Different patterns of habitat selection may reflect different trade-offs between the optimization of energy balances throughout the year and the increase of mating opportunities during the rut in males adopting alternative reproductive tactics., Competing Interests: We have no competing interests., (© 2021 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)