19th Meeting of the
International
Hamster Workgroup
November 20th-22nd 2012, Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium
2012 Conference Proceedings
Collective lessons from research and the field:
improving the models for successful conservation
of the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus).
Pantone 390
CMYK 24 / 0 / 98 / 8
Pantone 364
CMYK 73 / 9 / 94 / 39
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Conference Organisers
Alison Boyes • RISE Foundation • +32(0)495531318
Caroline Mahr • European Landowners’ Organization (ELO) • +32(0)484499976
With thanks to these individuals ...
Pierre Crahay • European Landowners’ Organization (ELO)
Robert de Graeff • European Landowners’ Organization (ELO)
Luc Crevecoeur • Province of Limburg
Roger de Muylder • Commune de Bertem
Veronique Verbist • Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Bert Vanholen • Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Stefanie Monecke • INCI, CNRS Université de Strasbourg
Maurice la Haye • Wageningen University and Research Centre
... for their support and assistance in putting together this conference.
RISE would also like to thank the Province of Limburg for the generous funding, the Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
for lending the conference facilities and the Commune de Bertem for its hospitality during the excursion.
With special thanks to Gerard Muskens, Ulrich Weinhold and Mike Boyes for providing generously the photos which
have been used to put together this booklet.
www.risefoundation.eu
www.europeanlandowners.org
www.limburg.be
www.natuurenbos.be
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Foreward by RISE Chairman and former
EU Commissioner for Agriculture and
Rural Develpment.
“RISE is an organisation whose raison d’etre is to promote a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable countryside in Europe.
The conservation of its biodiversity and natural heritage is at the heart of such a mission. This is particularly important
in this time of extreme pressure on our existing and new agricultural land to produce food, fiber and energy for a
growing world population without leading to a corresponding degradation of the range of biodiversity which is
present in agricultural landscapes or to the further conversion and degradation of natural grasslands, wetlands and
forest which are home to so many of our endangered, emblematic species. RISE has repeatedly referred to this as the
great food and environmental security challenge of the 21st century and has concentrated on projects which aim to
develop innovative solutions to this great challenge. It is our belief that future models for conservation need to be
more inclusive, collaborative and focused on the needs of various stakeholders. We are proud to be the initiators of
the first large-scale transnational project for hamster conservation which aims to combine productive farming with
biodiversity conservation objectives -launched this year. We are equally proud to host this interdisciplinary workgroup working in the spirit of collective experimentation and shared learning to reverse the decline in European
hamster populations. Nature conservation and particularly nature conservation on farmland cannot be achieved by
the actions of a few working in isolation, neither by the sole actions of a few big institutions. Rather, it will require the
concerted and enduring action of many participants upstream and downstream in the land management chains.
This workgroup is a good example of such cooperation. I hope it will bring fruitful discussions as in previous editions.
This year’s edition will feature the latest scientific research on topics including genetics, population dynamics, physiology and in-situ management as well as a special focus on European frameworks for protecting farmland biodiversity in partnership with the European Commission. An afternoon with local volunteers active in the conservation of
wild hamster populations in Vlaams-Brabant and Limburg, Belgium will feature as well as a traditional rural dinner
in a local restaurant and an excursion to a local site to witness the success of local agri-environment schemes in
maintaining local populations. We hope that you will benefit from this three-day meeting of experts and enthusiasts
joining together to advance the cause of European hamster conservation for the future.”
Franz Fischler, 2012.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Preface by Stefan Leiner, Head of Nature Unit,
DG Environment, European Commission.
“In 2011, the European Commission revised its long-term strategy for biodiversity setting out the holistic and integrated path to achieve the headline target adopted in 2010 by EU Heads of States of “Halting the loss of biodiversity
and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restoring them in so far as feasible, while stepping up the
EU contribution to averting global biodiversity loss.” The strategy included a specific target relating to the full implementation of the EU Birds and Habitats Directive and aimed at achieving a substantial measurable improvement in
the conservation status of the habitats and species covered by those Directives. The European Hamster is a strictly
protected species listed in Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive and had at the last assessment, covering the period
up to 2006, a very unfavourable conservation status. This is mainly due to the fact that its habitat has been degraded
over the years in several parts of the EU. It is therefore important that all possible efforts are done to substantially improve the status of this emblematic species so that it will achieve a favourable conservation status in the foreseeable
future. Conserving and restoring the European Hamster will also bring benefits to many other species protected by
the Birds and Habitats Directive closely linked to the management of agricultural land. This is in line with another target of the EU biodiversity Strategy that relates to farmland biodiversity. The aim is to maximise areas under agriculture across grasslands, arable land and permanent crops that are covered by biodiversity-related measures under the
EU Common Agricultural Policy. Central to success will be enhanced cooperation between farmers, administrations,
scientists and NGOs from both the environmental and the agricultural field. A sound scientific basis and knowledge
is another key for determining the right political and financial decisions that will be needed to create a framework
enabling a better status of this species. The level in which we manage to improve the conservation status of the European Hamster will be a good indicator of how we are meeting our nature and biodiversity commitments in the EU.
The Commission therefore very much welcomes the work done by collaborative workgroups such as the International Hamster Workgroup and thanks all those involved who demonstrate the passion and commitment that is
necessary to mobilize ideas and resources to sustain our future environment. I wish you a successful and fruitful
meeting in 2012.”
Stefan Leiner, 2012.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Programme
Monday November 19th
4
17.00 - 22.00
ARRIVALS AT HERKENRODE
18.30 -19.30
DINNER AT HERKENRODE FOR OVERNIGHT GUESTS
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Tuesday November 20th
08.30 - 10.00 ARRIVALS AND REGISTRATION IN HERKENRODE ABBEY, CONFERENCE CENTRE
10.00 - 10.30
CONFERENCE OPENING AND WELCOMING COFFEE
■ Welcome: Frank SMEETS, Deputy for Nature at the Province of Limburg
■ Welcome: Bert VANHOLEN, Director of the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests – Limburg,
10.30 - 12.00 INFORMATION SESSION WITH EU COMMISSION – current and future EU policy tools for
biodiversity protection.
Chair: Thierry DE l’ESCAILLE (Belgium), Secretary-General, European Landowners’ Organisation
Opening lecture: Stefan LEINER, Head of Nature Unit, DG ENVIRONEMENT, European Commission
Speech title « The tools and strategies of the European Commission to safeguard Europe’s declining
farmland biodiversity. »
■ Question and answer session with the European Commission.
12.00 - 12.30
PRESENTATION IHWG – POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
■ GERARD MUSKENS (THE NETHERLANDS), “Ironing out the kinks in farm policy
management – the importance of good farmer relations”.
12.30 - 13.30
LUNCH BREAK - walking lunch + poster viewings.
13.30 - 15.30
PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF IHWG – physiology and behaviour.
Chair: Maurice LA HAYE (THE NETHERLANDS)
■ Stefanie MONECKE (France), Activity and temperature recordings reflect circannial
variations in the physiology of European hamsters.
■ Carina SUITZ (Austria). Body fat content and faecal cortisol secretion patterns in
Common hamsters.
■ Elke, SCHEIBLER (Germany), Temperature and Moon affect Activity of Desert Hamsters:
a Field Study in Alashan Desert.
■ Maurice LA HAYE (THE NETHERLANDS), What can we learn from weighing hamsters?
■ Stefanie MONECKE (France), Distinct photoperiodic reaction and circannual
synchronisation in juvenile European hamsters.
15.30 - 16.00 COFFEE BREAK
16.00-17.00 PRESENTATION OF TRANSNATIONAL LIFE+ PROPOSAL
■ A TRANSNATIONAL EFFORT TO PROTECT EUROPEAN HAMSTERS.
■ Speakers: Alison BOYES (Belgium), RISE Foundation and Veronique VERBIST (Belgium),
Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests Followed by question and answers on the project.
17.00 -18.00
PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF IHWG – Conservation
■ Clotilde HERBILLON (France), The new French action plan for the grand hamster d’Alsace.
■ Christophe MANSSENS (Belgium), Introducing breeding and reintroduction in-situ?
18.30 - 19.30
WALKING DINNER
19.30-21.30
MEETING AND PRESENTATIONS WITH LOCAL VOLUNTEERS – the state of play of
conservation strategies in Belgium.
Chair: Luc CREVECOEUR (Belgium)
■ Discussions with local volunteers and nature organisations to discuss local conservation issues
featuring informal presentations from: Luc CREVECOEUR (Belgium) - hamsters in Belgium,
Veronique VERBIST (Belgium) - LIFE+ Flanders, David Billy HERMAN (Belgium) –
Natuurpunt and the hamster in Flanders, Pierre CRAHAY (Belgium) - predation,
Maurice LA HAYE (the Netherlands) - genetics.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Wednesday November 21st
09.15 - 11.00 PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF IHWG – Genetics and Population dynamics
Chair: ULRICH WEINHOLD (GERMANY)
■ Tobias REINERS (Germany), Saving the genetic heritage of Common hamsters
Cricetus cricetus in Western Europe,
■ Ivana PETROVÁ (Czech Republic), Density-dependent home range size in the
common hamster
■ Oskar SCHRODER and Rainer HUTTERER (Germany) Differences in the coat
colouration of the common hamster distinguish the westernmost populations
■ Group discussion: population updates from different regions.
10.30 - 11.00 COFFEE BREAK
11.00 - 12.30
PRESENTATIONS BY MEMBERS OF IHWG – Monitoring and Conservation strategy
Chair: Stefanie Monecke (FRANCE)
■ Maurice LA HAYE (The Netherlands), A survival analysis of European hamsters:
the devil is in the details!
■ Peer CYRIACKS (Germany), Selling the drama - The importance of public relations in
(hamster) conservation.
■ Céline BOULADE (France), Operation of French breeding centres of the common hamster.
12.30 - 13.45 LUNCH BREAK – walking lunch + posters.
14.00 - 15.45 VISIT OF HERKENRODE MUSEUM
16.00 - 17.00
DISCUSSION ON THE IUCN STATUS OF CRICETUS CRICETUS
Chair: Peer CYRIACKS (Germany)
■ Leading presentation, “Least concern or vulnerable? The IUCN-Status of Cricetus cricetus”
from Ulrich WEINHOLD (Germany).
■ Discussion and debate about next steps for the IUCN report.
■ GROUP DEBATE: Better linking research outputs with conservation objectives and strategy
(brainstorm activity)
17.00-18.30 GROUP DISCUSSION SESSION – solving problems
Chair: Alison BOYES (Belgium)
■ Stakeholder perception of wild hamsters – an image problem?
■ Common monitoring protocol – finalising the basic minimum criteria
■ Gathering data on predation and controlling reintroductions
■ Connectivity and green infrastructures – what hope for reconnecting fragmented populations?
19.00 DEPARTURE FOR DINNER BY BUS OR OWN TRANSPORT
19.30 - 22.00 6
TRADITIONAL BELGIAN DINNER IN A RURAL RESTAURANT, “DOMEIN BOVY”
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Thursday November 22nd
9.00 - 10.00
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE OUTPUTS FOR THE IHWG AND POSSIBLE
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
■ Possible collaborative research projects: FP7?
10.15 DEPARTURE FOR THE EXCURSION BY BUS OR OWN TRANSPORT
11.15 ARRIVAL IN BERTEM AND WELCOME FROM the City Councillor, Roger de Muylder
■ Welcoming drink and discussion with the City Councillor, Roger de Muylder.
12.00 - 13.30
GUIDED VISIT OF LOCAL AGRI-ENVIRONMENT MEASURES IN SITU (Bertem)
13.30 - 14.30
LUNCH IN LEUVEN
14.30 - 15.30 END OF MEETING, TRANSFER TO LEUVEN BY BUS
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
19th Meeting of the International Hamster
Workgroup – key outcomes
What is the International Hamster Workgroup?
The International Hamster Workgroup was founded in 1994 when serious declines in European hamster populations
became evident in Western Europe. From this first meeting the group has grown continuously and today unites
international scientists from various fields with members of associations and representatives from public authorities,
the political arena, and the agricultural sector.
Due to the complex reasons behind the decline in hamster populations, the Workgroup’s scientists focus on the
European hamster’s biology in a variety of disciplines ranging from physiology to ecology, from fundamental to
applied research, and from the molecular to the population level. In addition, there are also updates on current
conservation programmes from those working in government agencies and organisations who, with the help of
volunteers, farmers and politicians engage in the improvement of the habitat, reintroduction projects, and communication activities. The sharing of knowledge and experience within the group strengthens the collective conservation efforts. In fact, thanks to this interdisciplinary cooperation, the stabilization of populations has been achieved
in a couple of regions. However, this is not sufficient and the long-term goal of the Workgroup is the restoration of
stable hamster populations across its distribution range in Europe.
What did the Workgroup achieve at the 19th meeting?
Deputy for Nature at the Province of Limburg, Frank Smeets, said it all in his opening speech when he reminded
those present that the 60 participants gathered in the Herkenrode Abbey Conference Centre outnumbered the
hamsters currently surviving in Flanders’ fields. This was a sad but important reminder of the reason for gathering
together in Belgium.
Stefan Leiner, Head of Nature unit from DG Environment
at the European Commission, then gave the keynote
speech on “the tools and strategies to safeguard the EU’s
declining biodiversity”, explaining to the audience the
achievements of the EU regulatory framework (such as
the Birds and Habitats Directives, Natura 2000 network)
for the preservation of species and habitats. On the positive side, he noted that the large-scale destruction of
high value nature areas had halted, cooperation between
countries and stakeholders had increased, several species
had been brought back from the brink of extinction and
the funding for nature had significantly increased. However, he stressed that many more efforts were still needed given that only 17% of all species currently had a favourable conservation status, and this was as low as 7%
for those living in agricultural grassland areas. Mr Leiner
highlighted the success of the LIFE+ programme in protecting habitats and species, stating that 320,000 hectares
of land had been restored since the beginning of the programme. He declared the hamster a priority for the Commission and a good test case for the successful integration of biodiversity into agricultural policy and practice.
8
Following the keynote address, the format of the conference switched to presentations from the workgroup
members, with time for questions and discussions after
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
the individual presentations. First, there was a presentation about contradictions in the control mechanisms between the hamster-friendly agri-environment schemes and the cross compliance regime, creating a serious disincentive for farmers to continue with their voluntary participation in AE schemes, an issue which RISE could follow
up with DG AGRI subsequently.
Other key issues on the agenda included updates from the research side regarding important discoveries about the
hamsters’ physiology which could be used to improve breeding and monitoring programmes in the field. There
were also updates from the various on-going and planned conservation projects, including the LIFE + programme
but also the new French National Action Plan as well as presentations mapping the current genetic diversity of
remaining populations.
The key contents of these presentations are outlined in the abstracts included in this proceedings document. For
more information please contact the authors whose email addresses are included on the final page.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Working sessions
IUCN red list status:
A working session was organised by Dr Ulrich Weinhold in order to apply for an update of the IUCN Conservation
status of the European hamster from that of “least concern” to “vulnerable” or even “endangered”. The group together
amended the existing status in a file that would subsequently be sent for review by the IUCN. Notable amendments
included more precise explanations on the causes of population decline (modern agriculture and pesticides were
key issues) as well as more precise descriptions of population declines taking into account new population data
from Central and Eastern Europe. The application was sent off in February 2012 and is currently being reviewed by
the IUCN. This was a very positive concrete output of the 2012 IHWG since an updating of the status would mean
an acknowledgement that the species faced a high chance of extinction in the wild which would support further
conservation efforts greatly. You can find the revised assessment document sent to the IUCN on pages 56-60.
.
Future research
Possible collaborative research projects for the future was an important subject linking the working group members.
A discussion of possible collaborative research projects for the future identified four research priorities:
1. In breeding stations it was remarked, that not all hamsters and sometimes even the majority of hamsters do
not hibernate. The reasons for that are unknown and might be complex. It is assumed that hibernation is
beneficial for the body conditions for the next year’s reproductive phase, thus it should be investigated what
might be the reasons for the lack in hibernation.
2. There are disquieting hints from some regions (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany; probably also in The Netherlands)
that reproduction starts very late. In such late breeding population early litters, which might reach puberty
in the year of birth and multiply the reproductive output of the population, are missing.
The recently developed temperature based method (see abstract Stefanie Monecke) allows following the
seasonal reproductive rhythm in free-ranging European hamsters very accurately without disturbing the
animals. With this method the timing of reproduction of different populations should be compared regarding management of their habitat, latitude, longitude and climate conditions. Cooperation partners of this
project are so far Stefanie Monecke, University of Strasbourg (responsible) the Dutch group (Maurice La
Haye) and the Czech group (Emil Tkadlec). The results of this work might give new insights of the reasons of
hamster decline.
3. There is another reason to worry: In old literature life spans of 5-10 years were reported from free living and
captive European hamsters. Nowadays, 2 years are considered as mean and 4 years as maximal life span.
Other species of a similar size as hedgehogs or guinea pigs live 7-10 years. Moreover, hibernators should live
longer than non-hibernators. Why not the European hamster? How long is the current life span of European
hamsters and does it has decreased during the past?
10
From other species it is known that the quantity and quality of nutrition influences timing and pattern of the
hibernation phase. The effect of food restriction before or during the hibernation phase on the hibernation
pattern and the subsequent body conditions should be tested in European hamsters. Due to extremely
effective modern harvest, European hamsters most likely suffer food restriction in their natural habitat. The
results of this project of Carina Siutz (University of Vienna) might help to improve the maintenance of European hamsters in the breeding colonies and protection measures.
As a start, this interdisciplinary project aims to develop new methods for age determination in living and
dead animals, which are more precise and better feasible than using the abrasion of molars. When methods
are established the age structure of recent populations should be compared with museum specimen. Cooperation partners are so far Stefanie Monecke (University of Strasbourg) Carina Siutz (University of Vienna),
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Lutz Maul & Clara Stefen (Senckenberg Institute for Quaternary Palaeontology) and Alex Scheuerlein (Max
Planck Institute for demographic research, Rostock, Germany). A decreased lifespan of European hamster
might be a serious reason for the population decline since that would mean that hamsters have most likely
participated in more breeding periods.
4. The present aim of hamster protection is to ensure survival in the current distribution area. However, the
historic distribution area was once much larger and extended to Great Britain and Spain.
Understanding the historic traits of expansion and contraction of the European hamster distribution area is the aim
of Lutz Maul (see above) and Rainer Hutterer (Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany).
These insights might then serve to develop new concepts in hamster protection.
All of the proposed projects are dependent on the availability of funding. If you are interested in participating in any
of the projects please don’t hesitate to contact the responsible person. To strengthen the relation between applied
hamster protection and fundamental research and to use synergies between researchers such research workshops
are very welcome in future meetings of the international hamster workgroup.
Excursion
For the final activity of the 2012 IHWG, a walk and talk excursion was organised to visit in-situ agri-environment
measures implemented by local farmers for the hamster in and around Bertem, in Vlaams-Brabant. The excursion
was led by VLM (a Flemish Agency responsible for AE contracts with farmers) and ANB (Flemish Agency for Nature
and Forests), who have been involved with the design of the measures, contracting with the farmers, and monitoring results. During the excursion it was explained that farmers were compensated for planting rotations which
included unharvested cereal strips through the winter to ensure food and cover for the hamsters after harvest.
Restrictions applied also to ploughing and crop protection products.
The farmers seemed satisfied with the measures, explaining that the guaranteed income over five years was a useful
security against bad weather events (even though the fixed prices did not vary according to market prices). The
measures also had incidental benefits in the fight against erosion, as roots from cover crops helped to hold soil
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
particles in place. From 2013 onwards, some eight farmers would be participating in hamster protection in this area,
covering an area of 30-40 hectares. In the medium-term this should help to stabilise the very small local population
prior to expanding efforts over time. Core areas of 300 hectares with some management actions applied within
them is thought to be the minimum necessary area in order to achieve viable population sizes (as discussed and
agreed by the participants during this year’s meeting).
The participants were able to observe yellowhammers and skylarks during the excursion together with several birds
of prey species. The walk and talk with the farmers in such well-managed landscapes took place under a blazing
November sun, putting everybody in a warm mood before heading back to their respective locations.
The 2012 Conference was thus drawn to a close having achieved several concrete outputs and numerous fruitful exchanges of knowledge and experience. The conservation challenge remains urgent and complex but continual improvements in knowledge and understanding are an important mechanism to make positive changes for the future.
On behalf of the RISE Foundation we would like to thank all participants and sponsors for their ongoing support.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Conference Abstracts
13
Physiology and behaviour
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Body fat content and faecal cortisol concentrations in free-ranging juvenile Common hamsters
Author(s): Carina Siutz and Eva Millesi, Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14,
1090 Vienna, Austria, e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Free-ranging animals are often confronted with environmental challenges, activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In hibernating small mammals a limited active season often causes temporal and
energetic constraints. Female Common hamsters can produce up to three litters per season, therefore birth dates
range from May to September resulting in different time spans available for early- and late-born offspring to grow
and prepare for hibernation. These differences might lead to different tactics in the allocation of energy reserves
(body fat and/or food stores) for the winter and could affect adrenal activity. Aims of the study were to analyse
body fat proportions and cortisol excretion patterns in juvenile Common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) during their
first weeks after natal emergence and shortly before winter. We investigated free-ranging Common hamsters in an
urban area in Vienna. Glucocorticoid levels in live-trapped animals were measured non-invasively by analysing faecal
cortisol metabolites (FCM). The proportion of body fat was calculated by integrating the morphometric parameters
body mass, head, tibia, and foot length measured at each capture. We analysed FCM levels and the proportion of
body fat in early- and late-born juveniles at natal emergence, after weaning, and shortly before onset of hibernation.
Proportions of body fat were similar in both groups at natal emergence and increased while they were still at the natal burrow. Early-borns accumulated body fat shortly before onset of hibernation, whereas in late-borns proportions
remained quite stable. Furthermore, FCM levels were positively correlated with body fat content in juvenile males
and negatively in females. These results indicate that early- and late-born juvenile hamsters use different tactics to
survive over winter. Early-borns appear to allocate body fat reserves, while late-borns have to rely on food caches.
Further, cortisol secretion seemed to promote body fat accumulation in juvenile males but not in females.
Title:
Activity and temperature recordings reflect
circannial variations in the physiology of
European hamsters,
Author(s): Stefanie Monecke, Paul Pévet INCI, Département Neurobiology of Rhythms, CNRS-UPR 3212, University
of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
14
Abstract: The European hamster lives in a strongly seasonal environment, to which the animal is adapted by circannually driven changes in its physiology. In most lab-studies on circannual rhythms the body weight or the reproductive state of an animal is followed. In field conditions, however, it is not possible to gain these data, without disturbing the animals frequently by captures. Here we show that in the European hamster also the seasonal changes in
the daily activity pattern and in body temperature are under the control of the circannual clock. These parameters
would be much easier to follow in natural conditions for example by implantable sensors for temperature or activity
as ibuttons or accelerometers. Here we show that the recording of the activity and temperature pattern reflects
precisely at least 4 characteristic time points in the course of a circannual cycle: onset and offset of hibernation and
onset and offset of a 2 months phase of sensitivity to short photoperiod, which in natural conditions occur around
the summer solstice. During this phase of sensitivity the activity rhythm is well defined and the mean daily body
temperature is elevated. At the end of this phase the circannual clock is reset and from this day on, the mean daily
body temperature drops and the activity rhythm weakens. 4 weeks later gonadal regression becomes visible. Thus,
the recording of the activity and temperature rhythm allows also drawing conclusions about the reproductive state.
In summary, the recording of the activity pattern and body temperature is a non-invasive and very precise method
to observe the hands of the circannual clock in the European hamster. With this method even seasonal rhythms in
wild animals can be followed without disturbing them by capture and recapture.
Physiology and behaviour
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Temperature and Moon affect Activity
of Desert Hamsters: a Field Study in
Alashan Desert
Author(s): Elke Scheibler, Franziska Wollnik
University Stuttgart, Biological Institute, Stuttgart, Germany
Abstract: Time management of wild living hamsters was investigated in their natural semidesert habitat. Duration
of activity outside the burrows, including activity onset and offset, length of foraging walks and inside stays during
the night were analyzed, putting special focus on ambient temperature and lunar effects represented by moon
phase and size of lunar disc. Animal data were determined using the radio frequency identification technique (RFID).
Animals were caught in the field and marked with passive transponders, burrows were equipped with integrated
microchip-readers and photo-sensors for detection of movements in and out of the burrow. The studies were performed in 2009, 2010 and 2012. While phases of the moon had no affect, the size of lunar disc had an influence on
the beginning of activity (Spearman, r=-0.220; p=0.01), duration of nocturnal activity (Spearman, r=0.237; p=0.05)
and duration of foraging walks (Spearman, r=0,236; p=0.04). End of activity and duration of nocturnal inside stays
were unaffected by the moon. Possible effects of ambient temperature were analyzed in a factorial analysis, using
the following parameters: mean, maximum and minimum temperature during the whole day, during the activity
period, and during the first and last three hours of activity period. Separate analyses were performed for the current
day and each of the previous three days. Activity onset was influenced by mean temperature of the current day and
by mean temperature during the activity period of the night before (factorial analysis, KMO=0.775, p<0.001). Minimum temperature of the current night had an effect on the end of activity (Pearson, r=-0.592, p=0.043). Duration
of activity was affected by several temperature parameters of the current day and the previous day (Spearman correlation), most importantly by mean temperature of the current day and minimum as well as mean temperature of
the previous day (KMO=0.775, p<0.001). Length of foraging walks and inside stays were unaffected by temperature.
In conclusion, we found that with increasing moon hamsters become active earlier, therefore the activity duration
increases and the foraging walks take longer. Detailed analysis of temperature data also showed that shorter activity
correlates significantly with increasing temperatures.
15
Physiology and behaviour
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Distinct photoperiodic reaction and circannual
synchronisation in juvenile European hamsters
Author(s): Stefanie Monecke1,2, Birgit Amann1, Karin Lemuth1, Franziska Wollnik1
Biological Institute, Department of Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany
Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), Neurobiologie des Rythmes, CNRS UPR-3212, Université
de Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084
1
2
Correspondent author: Stefanie Monecke, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives (INCI), Neurobiologie
des Rythmes, CNRS UPR-3212, Université de Strasbourg, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg, France;
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Female European hamsters give birth to several litters in a year. Juveniles thus have to detect quickly at
which season they are born and whether or not they should develop gonads before their first hibernation period.
Since it is a circannual species also their circannual clocks needs to be synchronized. In adults, the characteristic
changes in the activity pattern around the summer solstice are part of the circannual resetting mechanism, while
changes in melatonin are of minor importance. In pups however, melatonin might be helpful in the correct timing
of puberty. We recorded in 5 litters born in natural photoperiods at different seasons activity and urinary excretion of
aMT6s. In pups the timing of puberty and the aMT6s excretion were dependent on the season of birth though the
aMT6s levels were considerably higher than in adults. These data support the hypothesis that melatonin transduces
the photoperiodic message for the timing and duration of the first reproductive phase. In contrast, the ontogeny of
the activity pattern was age-dependent. In all animals a change from a “juvenile” activity pattern to the appropriate
activity pattern of the season was observed around postnatal day 78. This juvenile pattern is identical to the one
in adults when their circannual clock is reset and it is likely that it serves the same purpose. The data suggest that
the timing of seasonal events in the year of birth and the synchronisation of the circannual clock for the timing of
future events are 2 distinct processes: the former a pure photoperiodic response and the latter a true circannual
synchronisation.
16
Physiology and behaviour
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
What can we learn from weighing hamsters?
Author(s): Maurice La Haye1,2,*, Gerard Müskens2, Ruud van Kats2, Loek Kuiters2, Hans Peter Koelewijn2.
Radboud University Nijmegen / Bargerveen Society, Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology,
Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
2
Wageningen UR, ALTERRA, PO Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands,
* Currently working at the Dutch Mammal Society, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
1
Abstract: It is well-known that it is quite difficult to get an indication of the age of a (wild) hamster, although every
hamster-researcher will confirm that older hamsters are heavier than younger ones. Weighing hamsters therefore
seems unnecessary and a waiste of limited research-time. However, comparing weights of hamsters between different habitats, settings and populations can reveal some unexpected results. In this presentation I will show some new
findings of differences in hamster weights between a wild population in Vienna, the Netherlands and the famous
laboratory-setting of Vohralik from 1975.
for the final published article please refer to pages 33-39 “What can we learn from weighing hamsters?”
17
Genetics and population dynamics
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Saving the genetic heritage of Common
hamsters Cricetus cricetus in Western Europe
Author(s): T.E. REINERS1, M.J.J. LA HAYE2, K. NEUMANN3, C. NOWAK1,4, 1Conservation Genetics Group, Senckenberg
Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Clamecystraße 12, D-63571 Gelnhausen; email: [email protected], 2Bargerveen Society / Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Wetland
and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands, e-mail:
[email protected], 3Institute of Pathology/Molecular Diagnostics Section, Medical Centre Dessau-Rosslau,
Auenweg 38, 06847 Dessau, Germany, email: [email protected], 4Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany, email: [email protected]
Abstract: The Common hamster Cricetus cricetus is among the most critically endangered mammal species in Western Europe. Since the 1970ties they suffer from a dramatic and still ongoing decline at its western range. Even
though western geographic lineages are considered to be a result of a relatively recent colonization, these lineages
comprise distinctive genetic profiles.
In France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany current conservation programmes try to counteract the population
decline by releasing animals out of breeding units into properly managed farm land sites. Although caged breeding
and reintroduction actions are guided by genetic aspects to some extent, many questions concerning the genetic
aspects of hamster reintroductions in some countries remain open. Here we present first results of the newly established reference centre for Common hamster genetics. This centre aims to clarify colonisation history, reveal the
extent of historic levels of genetic diversity in the western distribution range, and to optimise and control breeding
strategies with the aim to maintain high levels of genetic variation and minimize the risk of both inbreeding and
outbreeding depression. These informations are considered to be crucial for guiding conservation efforts for the
preservation of the genetic heritage of the common hamster at its western range margin.
18
Genetics and population dynamics
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Differences in the coat colouration of the
common hamster distinguish the westernmost
populations
Author(s): Oskar Schröder & Rainer Hutterer
Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany
The common hamster (Cricetus cricetus L.) is a rodent of the Eurasian steppes and agricultural areas that is threatened by habitat loss. Remaining populations in Western and Central Europe are small, isolated, and genetically impoverished. Most affected by this decline is the western population from Belgium, The Netherlands, and North
Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, for which Nehring proposed the name canescens in 1899. It is distinguished from its
eastern cousins by large white areas on throat, chest and forelegs. However, these traits are occasionally found in
other populations, casting doubt on its subspecies status. To evaluate this variation in fur patterns we examined 630
skins collected between 1878 and 2006 from most of the common hamster’s European range. The traits that showed
the most significant differences between populations are the frequencies of occurrence of the white chest spot and
the cream-coloured thigh spots, as well as the relative lengths of the white chin streak and cuffs on the forelegs.
Though individual variation for these traits is high, the frequencies and lengths are highest in “canescens”, where a
white chest spot occurs in 67-100% of the specimens, and gradually decrease towards the east (0-8% in Central and
Eastern European populations). Hamsters from the Upper Rhine area also display relatively high frequencies of these
characters (7-44%) and are thus intermediate between Western and Central European hamsters. This suggests that
after the last glacial maximum the western range was recolonised by Central European animals, probably from the
Thuringian basin, that crossed the Central
German Uplands and established a population in the Upper Rhine Plains. A founder
effect resulting from this range expansion
might be responsible for the accumulation
of the white fur traits in the western populations. Further migrations followed the
Rhine valley upstream, crossing the Rhenish Massif, and establishing the hamster in
North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium and The
Netherlands. The results demonstrate that
the Western hamster is a morphologically
distinctive lineage that is in need of immediate and specific conservation measures.
Figure 1. Colour variations in A) a hamster from North Rhine-Westphalia, showing pronounced white fur traits and B) a hamster from Rhineland-Palatinate that lacks a chest spot and posseses only a short chin streak and cuffs.
References
Husson, A.M. (1959). On the systematic position of the western hamster, Cricetus cricetus canescens NERING (Mammalia: Rodentia). Bijdragen Dierkunde 29: 187–201.
Nehring, A. (1899). Einige Varietäten des gemeinen Hamsters (Cricetus vulgaris Dsm.). Sitzungsberichte der
Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin 1: 1–3.
Wepner, A. (1936). Zur Frage der subspezifischen Abtrennung des Westhamsters. Zeitschrift
für Säugetierkunde 11: 254–256.
19
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
CONSERVATION
Title:
Operation of french breeding centers of
the common hamster
Author(s): Céline Boulade.
Abstract: The common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) produced by “Association Sauvegarde Faune Sauvage” (600 individuals) are intended to be released into their natural environment for reinforcements measures of wild populations.
However, animals born in captivity are not prepared to survive and feed in the Wild. Also, improve animal housing
and feeding conditions becomes more than a luxury, it is a necessity to prepare them to natural conditions they will
face upon their release to the wild. Therefore, to improve the reinforcements, breeding needs to constantly evolve
and adapt to the knowledge of the species.
In its natural state, the common hamster Cricetus cricetus feeds by 80% from plants, but also by 15% from small
animals (mammals and invertebrates) (Surdacki 1964 ; Gorecki et Grygielska 1975 ; Holisova 1977)1. That is why, in
addition to the basic diet (water and granulates of cereals), and in order to consider the protein requirements of the
species, hamsters have also, once a week, dried alfalfa, dry puppy food2 and “fresh” (alfalfa, wheat...). A study on the
influence of the living feeding was conducted and preliminary results showed no behavioral change against the
prey, so we do not need to prepare released hamsters for this type of diet. However, by giving different live prey
(mealworms and mice), we stimulates the hamster in its foraging behavior. This is a positive enrichment that would
need to be widespread and evenly to act permanently on the dynamism of individuals, especially as the results show
no effect on the animals’ health status. Furthermore, it would be interesting to test the impact of the living feeding
on reproduction, because a zootechnical point of view, it can induce behavioral changes.
To improve the populations reinforcements, and to minimize the human impregnation, wine racks (Ø 13 cm), as
artificial burrows, were placed in each cage. However, one year after installation, and even though most hamsters
use their “burrow” correctly, success is not total. Indeed, some hamsters prefer to keep their nest outside whole
year, while others move from occasionally. A study is in progress to highlight the constraints that may explain these
differences in use.
Hamsters are placed in columns with four cages. By digging, this rodent pushes over soiled litter which falls into
the lower cage. That is why the fourth cage can receive soiled litter, and pheromones, from 3 upper cages. So there
are no groups of more than 3 females per column, that is to say no risk of slowed or stopped estrus cycle (Lee Boot
effect). The female placed in the third rank reproduce with the non consanguineous male (genetic selection by
ZooEasy software) placed in the first rank, to avoid the spontaneous abortion of the female because of presence
of another male than the genitor during pregnancy (Bruce effect). In order to trigger puberty and prepare females
for reproduction by activating estrus cycle (Vandenberg and Whitten effects), they are stimulated, with urine of the
non consanguineous male located in the first rank, for two or three weeks before mating or releasing, which permits within formed couples to increase the rate of pregnant females from 25.2% in 2011 to 49.7 % in 2012. Besides
necessity to accelerate reproduction in breeding centers, we expect increase chances of reproduction for released
females, and so to improve efficiency of reinforcements by triggering puberty. However, a study on the most favorable animals’ accommodation conditions for reproduction and juveniles breeding could be considered (temperature,
humidity, brightness, bloodline…).
To respect animal welfare, mating occurs in a neutral box, without odors nor of the male nor of the female, with
anti-skid mat to facilitate the race. The female is placed in the mating box while the male is inserted into a mousetrap and left for 5 minutes to preview potential aggressive behavior and avoid spontaneous attack. Then the male
is released, and the courtship last approximately 30 minutes. We noted that the acceptance rate of the male by the
female is 78.3% with this system against 27.9% before. After mating, the couple will be placed in the female’s cage
Surdacki S., 1964. Uber die Nahrung des hamsters, Cricetus cricetus L.,, 1758. Acta Theriologica, 9 (20) : 384-386.
Gorecki A., Grygielska M., 1975. Comsumption and utilization of natural foods by the Common Hamster. Acta Theriologica, 20 (18) : 237-246.
Holisova V., 1977. The food of an overcrowed population of the hamster, Cricetus cricetus in winter. Folia Zoologica, 26 (1) : 15-25.
1
20
In collaboration with Mr Bas Martens of the Gaïapark in Holland and Mr Valentjin Assenberg of the Rotterdam Zoo
2
CONSERVATION
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
during eight days (estrous cycle of Hamster) (Reznick et al., 1974)3. An individual wooden box is added to ensure the
best as possible the cohabitation between individuals. It would be interesting to determine the best time of the day
for mating a nocturnal.
Comparison between 2011 and 2012 results
1000
2011
500
2012
0
Couples tested
Couples formed
Pregnant females
Births
For potentially pregnant females (mated), a specific galactogen supplement4, to avoid suckling problems observed
in some mothers which had to feed a large number of juvenile, was distributed twice a week one week before the
theoretical date of parturition and until separation of youth, which can eat it too. Since youth birth, a half egg5 is
given to the female whom sees this as an energy source. When juveniles are 7 to 10 days old, a whole egg is given
because they devour it too and then they asleep. The mother can rest, which, in the case of 6 to 9 youth, is more
than necessary for the survival of all juveniles. Then, soy sprouts, onions and fresh alfalfa are distributed to compensate feeding difficulties (especially for water) until juveniles learn to feed themselves and to drink at bottle after the
separation from their mother (three weeks after the birth) and then the separation of siblings (two weeks later). In
addition, during the breeding period, cages of pregnant females, nursing mothers and siblings are cleaned in cases
of extreme necessity. Indeed, cleaning cages, already recognized as being very stressful for animals (Saibaba et al.,
1996; Gattermann and Weinandy 1996 & 1997; Duke et al. 2001, Balcombe et al., 2004)6, is also a source of human
impregnation for juveniles in the first weeks of life that it is better to limit.
Before releasing, animals are behaviorally and genetically
selected. Some hamsters are implanted with an intra-abdominal transmitter to be monitored by telemetry. When
the transmitter emits no signal, the female cannot be released and we decided to use them to compare the reproduction of females with and without implant. We have
not been able to bring out any difference, nor in time of
gestation, nor in the litter size, nor in behavior during the
mating. It would be interesting to continue the study to
confirm our conclusions and thus ensure that the marking
system does not interfere with reinforcements.
We can still improve and study many factors to optimize the reinforcement and thus hope to save the species. The
association will continue to develop new techniques and studies in this direction.
Reznik-Schuller H., Reznik G., Mohr U., 1974. The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus L.) as an experimental animal : breeding methods and
observations of their behavior in the laboratory. Z. Versuchstierk, 16 : 48-58.
3
In collaboration with the “école Lyonnaise des plantes médicinales” (69001, Lyon), the “herboristerie Croix Rousse” (69002, Lyon) and Mr & Mrs Wurtz,
renowned herbalists (68420, Freland)) : balls with fresh chopped nettles, carvi and cumin seeds, and dry puppy food.
4
In collaboration with Mr Ulrich Weinhold, Mrs Lisa Heimann and Mr Marco Sander of the Eidelberg zoo in Germany.
5
Saibaba P., Sales G.D., Stodulski G., Hau J., 1996. Behaviour of rats in their home cages: daytime variations and effects of routine husbandry
procedures analysed by time sampling techniques. Lab. Anim., 30 : 13-21.
Gattermann R., Weinandy R., 1996 / 1997. Time of day and stress response to different stressors in experimental animals. Part I: Golden hamster
(Mesocricetus auratus) / Part II : Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). J. Exp. Anim. Sci, 38 : 66-76 / 109-122.
Duke J.L., Zammit T.G., Lawson D.M., 2001. The effects of routine cage-changing on cardiovascular and behavioral parameters in male
Sprague–Dawley rats. Contemp. Top. Lab. Anim. Sci., 40 : 17–20.
Balcombe J. P., Barnard N.D., Sandusky C., 2004. Laboratory routines cause animal stress. Contemp. Top. Lab. Anim. Science, 43 : 42-51.
6
21
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
CONSERVATION
Title:
“Selling the drama“
The importance of public relations in (hamster)
conservation“
Author(s): Peer Cyriacks, Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung
Abstract: Presence in the media is of particular importance for conservation. These messages must
be delivered to the public since most conservation
projects are costly and require public support. In all
western countries the sectors of art, health or sports
currently also receive remarkable amounts public
funding. This kind of financial support though is hardly ever being questioned. Why is there a difference
with conservation? Professional surveys prove that in
general the public does indeed perceive a need for
nature conservation and is very much aware of the
often negative changes to the environment.
In order to overcome this lack of acceptance conservation stakeholders should make use of this potential. NGOs,
state organizations and scientists need to accept that the sector of public relations is evolving very quickly and follow innovative examples from other sectors like the economy.
Stakeholders in nature conservation often lament a lack of media coverage, while journalists often lament
a lack of quality in the press material they receive. This downward spiral may result in low interest from the
public and low acceptance with respect to conservation projects. The Common hamster is the perfect example for this vicious circle. In Germany, the hamster is already a symbol for errant and bureaucratic processes in nature protection and is used in political campaigns. Examples of press releases and results of professional surveys on the general understanding of conservation efforts show that the acceptance could well
increase if conservation stakeholders improve their media work. This presentation will discuss why and how
new and innovative methods for nature conservation can add to a new perception of sustaining biodiversity.
Title:
Least concern or vulnerable?
The IUCN-Status of Cricetus cricetus
Author(s): Ulrich Weinhold, Institut Faunistik
Abstract: At last year’s meeting we discussed the necessity to approach the IUCN to reconsider the status of C.
c. The IUCN in return sent the complete template to be filled in with the new data. The first draft will be presented
and is open for discussion.
please see the revised assessment document presented to the IUCN in February on pages 56-60.
22
CONSERVATION
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
The new French Action Program for
the common hamster
(Plan national d’actions en faveur du hamster commun
(cricetus cricetus) 2012-2016)
Author(s): Clotilde Herbillon, Direction régionale de l’Environnement, de l’Aménagement et du Logement
Abstract: The common hamster in France only exists in Alsace. Despite two previous conservation programs, the
population is still decreasing, with 309 burrows denombrated in april 2012 (420 in 2011). France is also in this case
in the process of a suit by the European Court of Justice under the directive Habitat. The conservation of hamsters
has to be urgently improved.
The new conservation program is a result of a long process (assessemnt of the previous program, discussion with
stakeholders on all aspects of the new program), and illustrates the French Strategy to save the hamsters. It was accompanied by a new set of regulations, aiming to protect the habitat of the hamster against growing urbanisation.
The objective is to enhance habitat, by developping favorable crops. The main change is that more efficient agro-environmental mesures were defined (collective rotation between a group of farmer and non-harvested crops near
each burrow denombrated in the same year).
This main objective, along with an increased population reinforcement based on the now effective process developped by ONCFS (electric fences and non harvested crops), should have positive effects on the hamster population.
Other mesures will be implemented to complete this strategy, like research programs, communication and appropriate governance.
The program will last 5 years, until 2016. It is now available on internet (http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.
fr/IMG/pdf/PNA_hamster_2012-2016_VF-3.pdf ), and will soon be translated in English.
23
Population data and monitoring Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
A survival analysis of European hamsters:
the devil is in the details!
Author(s): Maurice La Haye1,2,*, Gerard Müskens2, Ruud van Kats2, Loek Kuiters2, Hans Peter Koelewijn2.
Radboud University Nijmegen / Bargerveen Society, Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology, Institute
for Wetland and Water Research, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
2
Wageningen UR, ALTERRA, PO Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands,
* Currently working at the Dutch Mammal Society, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
1
Abstract: Survival, and its opposite mortality, is of crucial importance for the sustainability of wild hamster populations. So far, survival is measured quite robust with survival/mortality-rates calculated for years or in some cases on
a half year basis. Survival rates are mostly based on capture-recapture-studies or short radio-telemetry-studies. The
data of the Dutch reintroduction-project allowed a very detailed survival analysis of more than 700 (!) captive-bred,
wild and wild-translocated hamsters. In this presentation some new and interesting findings will be presented, with
a high relevance for future monitoring-projects (i.c. the LIFE-proposals of 2012).
24
Population data and monitoring Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Density-dependent home range size in the
common hamster
Author(s): Petrová I, Losík J, Tkadlec E
Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, Třída Svobody
26, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Most behavioural traits in mammals are largely dependent on population density. In hamsters, density-dependent
variation in home range size has never been studied. In the suburbs of Olomouc, Czech Republic, a natural population of the common hamster has been studied for more than 10 years. By capture-recapture approach, the population sizes were estimated each year using the Jolly-Seber model. Moreover, in 6 years of this research, radiotelemetry
was used to determine the home range sizes of selected individuals, both males and females. Radiotelemetry data
show that the home ranges are larger in males than in females and they also vary with population density. In the
years with high population densities in autumn, smaller home range sizes were observed. Using the method of minimum convex polygons, maximum home range size of only 0.022 ha was estimated in 2004 when the population
size was 133 individuals. In 2011, the population size was only 11 individuals and the home range sizes reached up
to 3.83 ha. The dependence was much stronger in males than females whose home ranges were quite small even at
low densities. These results suggest that spatial behaviour in the common hamster is highly flexible trait sensitive to
changes in population density, especially in males.
25
Poster Abstracts Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Maternal care and offspring development in
Common hamsters, Cricetus cricetus
Author(s): Birgit Weissinger, Carina Siutz and Eva Millesi
Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria,
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The extent of maternal care can be crucial for the offspring’s development and survival. Natal emergence
in juvenile Common hamsters occurs about 20 days after birth. Usually, pups are weaned shortly thereafter, although
the duration of maternal care varies among adult females. Several factors like litter size, offspring sex, body mass, the
mother’s condition and environmental factors could influence maternal investment. In this study, we investigated
potential effects of maternal care on juvenile development in free-living-Common hamsters in an urban area in
southern Vienna. Sex, age, body mass, and some morphometric parameters like head and tibia length were recorded in live-trapped individual hamsters. All juveniles were individually marked and could be assigned to the litters of
individual females, thus litter sizes could be determined. The period of maternal care was defined as the time span
from birth until either the juveniles or the mother left the breeding burrow, thus including lactation duration and
the period of common burrow use. The results revealed that the longer the juveniles received maternal care the
higher was their body mass shortly before dispersal. In addition, females born early in the season were significantly
heavier at natal emergence than those born later. This relationship was not found in male offspring and independent
of litter size. The results indicate that the time span the females invest in their offspring positively affects the pup`s
development. Female juveniles born early in the season can reproduce successfully in their first year; however, this
requires a sufficient body condition. Males frequently become sexually mature in their first season but are unable to
compete directly with older males. Thus juvenile body condition of early-born males may be less crucial for reproductive success than that of females.
26
Poster Abstracts Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Behaviour of the common hamster juveniles
under natural conditions
Author(s): Joanna Ziomek¹, Agata Banaszek2, Urszula Nowak¹, Anna Walkiewicz¹
¹Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89,
61-614 Poznań, Poland; e-mail: [email protected]
²Institute of Biology, University of Białystok; Świerkowa 20B, 15-950 Białystok,
Poland; e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Studies on the behaviour of the common hamster juveniles under natural conditions were conducted in
the years 2007-2011 during social phase. Behaviour of group of juvenile as a whole was investigated in the years
2007-2009 and differences in types of behaviour and interactions between sexes were researched in the years 20102011. Surface activity and behavioural parameters were noted from dawn until dusk. The investigation took place
in a 10 ha area of a mosaic of arable fields in Jaworzno-Jeziorki (UTM CA-75) situated in Upper Silesia, the south-western part of Poland. In total, the observations were conducted during 158 days. The ‘‘Focal animal sampling’’ was used
as an observation method, and the total time of observation amounted to 955 hours. 68 individuals of the common
hamster were studied.
The aim of our research was to categorise and describe aspects of non-social and social behaviour of the common
hamster young. 22 main elements in the common hamster young’s behaviour were distinguished and 36 acts and
postures described. During our observation 6835 bouts of
behaviour were recorded. The number of the non-social
behaviour prevailed significantly over the number of the
social behaviour (n=396; 5.8%). The most frequent observed
non-social behaviour were: horizontal and vertical locomotion (n=3192; 49.6%) and behaviour connected with vigilance (n=2784; 43.2%). Among inter-individual interactions:
following (33.6%; n=133) and direct identification (15.4%;
n=61) were noticed most frequently.
Frenzy dance, play-fighting, hugging, imitation and synchronization were the aspects of the social behaviour characteristic of the young only.
Sniffing was an important element of the juvenile behaviour in comparison with adults (χ²= 8.76; p= 0.012) which
was essential for learning about the surrounding of the burrow and the way back to it. Furthermore, imitation, following and play-fighting originated from the mechanisms of learning and gaining experience.
Such aspects of non-social behaviour as checking (χ2=19,6; p= 0.05), activity locomotion (χ2=5,64; p=0.05), foraging
(χ2=9,88; p= 0.05) and eating (χ2=4; p= 0.05) were significantly different between sexes.
In social behaviour there were significant differences in direct identification (χ2=3,6; p- 0.05) and vocalization
(χ2=5,44; p= 0.05). Differences in remaining elements of the social behaviour were not significant.
The juveniles left the breeding burrows after 5-6 weeks.
Key words: Cricetus cricetus, behaviour, natural conditions
27
Poster Abstracts Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
Hormonal profiles and energy substrates
during the annual life cycle of Syrian hamster
(Mesocricetus auratus)
Author(s): Mathieu WEITTEN1, Marie QUILLE1, Jean-Patrice ROBIN1, Paul PEVET2, Caroline HABOLD1
Université de Strasbourg, IPHC-DEPE, 23 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
1
CNRS, UMR 7178, 23 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg, France
2
CNRS, Département de Neurobiologie des Rythmes, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et
Intégratives, UPR-3212, 5 rue Blaise Pascal, 67084 Strasbourg, France
1
Abstract: Seasonal variations in food resources have imposed special adaptations to animals. Among these, hibernation is one of the most effective adaptations that allow animals to cope with seasonal declines in food resources
through a significant decrease in energy expenditure. The hibernation period is constituted by a succession of periods of hypometabolism and hypothermia called torpors interrupted by periods of arousal during which the animal
returns to eumetabolism and euthermia. Many metabolic changes occur during these periods, including variations
in the type of body reserves used. Our study aims at defining the major regulatory pathways of these metabolic
changes, including hormone profiles (Insulin, Glucagon, Leptin, Adiponectin, GLP-1, GiP), plasma concentration of
metabolites (Glucose, Free fatty Acid, Triglycerides, Urea) and body composition measurements. For this purpose,
blood samples were collected and adiposity was measured on Syrian hamsters at different times of their annual cycle: 1 /during long photoperiod at 20 ° C (LP20 group), 2 / during short photoperiod at 20 ° C (SP20 group), 3 / during
short photoperiod at 8 ° C (SP8) in early torpor (Torpor group) and 4 / SP8 in early intertorpor arousal (Arousal group).
Our results show that use of fat stores in hamsters during torpor would be associated with decreased circulating
levels of glucagon, insulin, leptin, and an increase in adiponectin. Refeeding during arousal results in a decrease in
free fatty acid plasma concentration, in increased glycaemia and circulating concentration of incretins.
To conclude, we can assume that reduced incretin levels and increased adiponectin levels could be responsible for
the observed shift in metabolism during torpor. However, this has to be verified through further measurements,
notably chronic perfusion of these hormones.
28
Poster Abstracts Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
They are all look-alikes, are they?
Individual differentiation of the common hamster Cricetus cricetus based on fur markings
and fur color patterns
Author(s): Lisa Heimann, Marco Sander, Ulrich Weinhold
Institut für Faunistik, 69253 Heiligkreuzsteinach
Introduction: At a first glance all regular colored common hamsters look identical, which makes them hard to discriminate. The common hamster Cricetus cricetus has a typical fur pattern: the dorsal fur has different brown shades,
the ventral fur is black with an optional medial white chest and chin markings, in the face and lateral on each side of
the body are several beige spots in a typical disposal, nose and feet are white (NIETHAMMER 1982).
However in our breeding station in Heidelberg Zoo we experienced that fur markings are quite different. In the following study we would like to demonstrate the most important fur markings and some fur patterns to distinguish
the individuals.
The most obvious markings are white chest and chin markings, those are on the ventral side surroundet by black fur.
The chest marking (Fig.1) variates in size, shape and alignment. Some hamsters do not have them at all, some have
more than one and sometimes the marking is so big that it is connected to the white fur of the forelegs or the chin
marking. The white chest
marking is often centered
between the forelegs but
it could also be shifted to
either the right or the left
side of the chest. Some
hamsters also have white
dots or single white hairs
elsewhere on the ventral
side, mostly along the medialline and right above
the genitals.
Fig.1: Nine individual chest
markings
29
Poster Abstracts Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
The chin marking (Fig. 2) is a little less obvious then the chest marking. It variates in length, width and often has a
special shape. Sometimes it is linked to the chest marking, it can be interrupted by black fur or contain black fur.
Fig.2: Chin markings of six
different hamsters
The outlining of the black fur (Fig. 3) to the white fur at the legs is another marking, not as obvious as chest and chin
marking but in adittion to them very helpful.
At the forelegs the amount of white variates and the outlining can draw some individual curves, seldomly even
containing white spots within the black fur and vice versa.
The black fur at the heels can cover half the foot, part of it in a special pattern or not exist there at all.
Fig.3: Fore- and hindleg
markings of several individuals
Besides the markings there are severel variations in the fur color patterns and color variations.
30
The beige spots (Fig. 4) can show some slight variations: By examining only the three lateral beige body spots, we
used a different numbering than PETZSCH (1952). The third of the spots can appear in different sizes from being obvious to not existing. There are three separate beige spots between the hind legs as described by PETZSCH (1948). In
Poster Abstracts Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
a variation those spots can be linked forming a unique pattern, this can only be seen from the ventral side. The spots
on the head and the other body spots can also show variations.
Fig.4: Patterns of different beige spots
The fur appears to have a few variations within the color:
•
The ventral black can instead be a very dark brown
•
The dorsal brown shows variations between the regular brown, a lighter or a reddish color (WEINHOLD &
KAYSER 2006)
•
The beige spots can also be as white as the white fur of the markings
Conclusion: The individual markings and patterns can be used to differentiate numerous individuals. The main
focus therefore should lie on the chest marking combined with the chin marking, in addition striking features
of the other variations should be mentioned, as well as other striking marks like e. g. injuries (ears, tail etc.).
If used in a large breeding stock on a regular base it might take some effort but reduces the costs for subcutaneous transponders or tattooing. It can prevent mix-ups and makes it possible to differentiate juveniles within
a litter, as soon as the fur color shines through the skin around the 4-5th day (EIBL-EIBESFELDT 1953). Today with
the means of digital photography and image recognition software it would be also applicable for field studies.
The limitations of the method are given by individuals of the same sex and very similar features.
Literature:
EIBL-EIBESFELDT, I. (1953): Zur Ethologie des Hamsters (Cricetus cricetus L.). – Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie
NIETHAMMER, J. (1982): Cricetus cricetus (LINEUS, 1758) – Hamster (Feldhamster). – In: NIETHAMMER, J. & KRAPP, F.: Handbuch der Säugetiere Europas
PETZSCH, H. (1948): Über Warn- und Drohreaktionen, Imponiergehaben, Schreckstellung und Flucht des Hamsters (Cricetus cricetus L.). – Zeitschrift
für Tierpsychologie
PETZSCH, H. (1952): Der Hamster. – Neue Brehm-Bücherei
WEINHOLD, U. & KAYSER, A. (2006): Der Feldhamster. – Neue Brehm-Bücherei
31
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Articles
32
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
What can we learn from weighing hamsters?
Author(s): Maurice La Haye1,2,*, Gerard Müskens2, Ruud van Kats2, Loek Kuiters2, Hans Peter Koelewijn3.
Introduction
It is well-known that it is quite difficult to get an idea of the age of a (wild) hamster (La Haye & Müskens, 2004;
Heimann & Weinhold, 2011), although every hamster-researcher will confirm that older hamsters are heavier than
younger ones. Weighing hamsters therefore seems unnecessary and a waste of limited research-time. However,
comparing weights of hamsters between different habitats, settings and populations revealed some unexpected
results. We compared data of wild-trapped hamsters in the Netherlands, with weights of hamsters measured in the
Dutch breeding program, a wild population in Vienna and the laboratory-setting of Vohralík from 1975. The results
are presented and discussed in this manuscript
Material and methods
Weight-data were in the first years not collected in a structured way: no strict protocol was used to trap and weigh
hamsters at specific times or moments during the season. In practice, most hamsters were measured after trapping
in the wild and with using a normal kitchen-balance. Only in 2010 we started to use camera-traps which automatically weighed and filmed each individual entering the camera-trap (Out et al. 2011).
Results
Autumn-spring comparison
As trapping of hamsters normally took place before hibernation in autumn and after hibernation in spring (Kuiters et al. 2010), the first comparison was between autumn- and spring weights. Franceschini-Zink & Millesi (2008)
found that in their Vienna population body mass loss was in general 23% ± 12% (range 0-38%, n=8) for females. In
the Netherlands body mass increase was 19% (± 22% sd) in females (range -7% - +78%, n=18) and 33% (± 30% sd)
in males (range -1% - +107%, n=22). This result in the Netherlands is opposite to that of Vienna. No indication was
found that different crops (cereals versus alfalfa) influenced weight increases, but it seems reasonable to think that
the possibility of gathering a winter storage influenced weight-differences during hibernation. In Vienna, where
hamsters lost weight during hibernation, it is unknown if hamsters have a winter storage and what is collected as
winter storage (pers. observation Carina Siutz). In the Netherlands hamsters have a large winter storage, consisting
of cereals and sometimes other seeds or plant-roots (La Haye pers. observation).
Secondly, weight increase differed between sexes and less heavier hamsters increased more in weight than hamsters with an already heavier body weight as can be seen in figure 1 and figure 2.
Figure 1) Females with a low body-weight
at the start of hibernation (X-axis), increase
their body-weight more than females with
a higher body-weight (net weight increase
on Y-axis).
Radboud University Nijmegen / Bargerveen Society, Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Wetland and Water
Research, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
2
Wageningen UR, ALTERRA, PO Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands,
3
Nunhems Netherlands BV, PO BOX 4005, NL-6080 AA Haelen, The Netherlands.
* Currently working at the Dutch Mammal Society, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
1
33
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Figure 2) Males with a low body-weight
at the start of hibernation (X-axis), increase
their body-weight more than males with a
higher body-weight (net weight increase
on Y-axis).
Camera-traps revisited: new calibration lines
Vohralík (1975) was the first to publish growth rates of juvenile hamster and since then several researchers (for
example Kupfernagel, 2007) have used this data to calculate age of trapped hamsters in their wild population. The
data provided by Vohralík were also compared with data from the Dutch breeding program and data form the wild
Vienna population. As can be seen in figure 3 and figure 4, the weight data of Vohralík (1975), the Dutch breeding
program and Vienna perfectly match and show the same weight increase in juvenile hamsters from birth till an age
of more than 100 days.
Figure 3) Juvenile female hamsters increase their body weight with the same
rate in the laboratory setting of Vohralík
(1975), in the Dutch breeding program
and in the wild in the urban population of
Vienna.
Figure 4) Juvenile male hamsters increase
their body weight with the same rate in
the laboratory setting of Vohralík (1975),
in the Dutch breeding program and in the
wild in the urban population of Vienna.
34
However, as found earlier in the Dutch reintroduction project, juvenile hamsters seems to grow much faster in semiwild conditions (La Haye & Müskens, 2004). During the soft-release reintroduction attempts in the Sibbe-reserve
(years 2002 and 2003). Pregnant females were placed in large-outdoor enclosures (La Haye 2008). After four or five
weeks, the mother and her juveniles were trapped to transponder the juveniles and to provide the mother with an
implant transmitter. To the big surprise of involved researchers in those years, juveniles were much heavier than expected (figure 5 and figure 6), with some juveniles even showing signs of sexual maturation with for example clear
developed testis in juveniles males.
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Figure 5) Juvenile female hamsters born
in semi-wild conditions (outdoor enclosures) increase their body weight much
faster than females born in captivity
(Vohralík and Dutch breeding program) or
in an urban area (Vienna).
Figure 6) Juvenile male hamsters born in
semi-wild conditions (outdoor enclosures)
increase their body weight much faster
than males born in captivity (Vohralík and
Dutch breeding program) or in an urban
area (Vienna).
Critics that semi-wild conditions positively influenced growth rates as food was provided ad libitum does not hold,
because the same growth rates in juveniles were found using camera-traps in ‘true’ wild conditions (Müskens et al.
2011; Out et al. 2011). Camera-traps were placed near burrows of wild females. Juveniles (and their mother) were
weighed for a few days during a period of several weeks in the season of 2011. Again, growth rates of juveniles were
much faster than could be expected based on earlier knowledge (figure 7) and similar to that of growth rates of
juveniles in outdoor enclosures.
Figure 7) Growth rates of juvenile hamsters during the season 2011 as revealed
by data from the camera-traps.
These results show that calculating age of juveniles hamsters is ‘tricky’ unless information is known of growth rates of
juvenile hamsters in the same conditions. In the Netherlands (new) calibration lines were formulated to indicate age
of juveniles born in the wild based on weight-measures. In females this age-indication becomes unreliable above a
weight of 200 grams and in males above a weight of 250 grams. Other, yet unknown, measures are needed to find
out age of hamsters with a weight above these boundaries.
To have an indication of age (in days) of a juvenile female hamster born in the wild, you just have to fill in the following formula: X = (Y + 0,9157) / (5,917), with X = age in days and Y = weight in grams (figure 8). And for males born in
the wild the formula is : X = Y – 0,2119) / (6,7564), with X = age in days and Y = weight in grams (figure 9).
35
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Figure 8) Formula to calculate age in juvenile female hamsters in wild conditions
in the Netherlands based on combined
weight measures from the Dutch reintroduction project (initial birth weight based
on Vohralík, 1975).
Figure 9) Formula to calculate age in
juvenile male hamsters in wild conditions in the Netherlands based on
combined weight measures from the
Dutch reintroduction project (initial
birth weight based on Vohralík, 1975).
Discovery of birth dates with growth rates
When knowing the accurate age of juveniles, it is possible to reconstruct birth dates of litters in our wild population
(Harpenslager et al. 2011). However, as trapping sessions were mainly planned at the end of the summer/early
autumn and because the calibration line can only ‘look back’ for some four –five weeks, it was not possible to reconstruct timing of litters during the breeding season which last from late April until late September in the Netherlands.
More reliable data on timing of births is only possible by using camera-traps or by regular trapping sessions during
the complete active season. From a point of limited financial resources it seems attractive to plan regular trapping
sessions and not to use expensive camera-traps, however, unless trapping is done by volunteers or students and
damage of crops is acceptable, it can be more efficient to use camera-traps. The costs and time which is needed to
organize large scale trapping sessions and compensating farmers for crop damage in order to collect enough data
is far more than buying camera-traps and analysing data collected with a such camera-traps.
Although it was not possible to estimate timing of litters throughout the season, it was possible to get an indication
of the end of the reproductive period in different years. As trapping continued weeks after termination of the breeding period, it was possible to find out the date of the last litters in several years (table 1). From this table it is clear that
the end of the reproductive season can vary with at least four weeks (circa 30 days) between years, which is a considerable period of time as the reproductive season starts in May in the Netherlands (first pairings) and is terminated
at the beginning of September (last litters born), which means a season of circa 125 days in general.
36
Year
Date of birth of litter
2003
5th of September
2004
29th of August
2005
8th of September
2006
16th of September
2007
1st of October
2008
31th of August
2009
26th of August
2011
10th of September
Table 1: observed birth data of last litters in 2003 till
2011 (no data available from 2010).
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Pregnancies should result in heavier weights
Repeated measures of females using camera-traps will also give information on the increase in weight of pregnant
females. A considerable increase in weight was expected, as juvenile hamsters have a weight of 5-6 grams at birth
and mean litter size will be at least 5 in the Dutch populations (La Haye 2008). However, looking at trends in weight
during the reproductive season and the moment of birth of observed litters in monitored females, no differences in
weight could be detected.
Figure 10) Trend in weight
of female JV404, with reconstructed date of births
between black lines. On
the X-axis time of the calendar-year and on the Y-axis
weight of the female in
grams.
Figure 11) Trend in weight
of female JV406, with reconstructed date of births
between black lines. On
the X-axis time of the calendar-year and on the Y-axis weight of the female in
grams.
Figure 12) Trend in weight
of female JV407, with reconstructed date of births
between black lines. On
the X-axis time of the calendar-year and on the Y-axis weight of the female in
grams.
Figure 13) Trend in weight
of female KV395, with reconstructed date of births
between black lines. On
the X-axis time of the calendar-year and on the Y-axis weight of the female in
grams.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Discussion and conclusions
During the reintroduction period in the Netherlands, body-weights of hamsters were not collected systematically, although noted at each trapping event as part of the handling protocol, however, comparing data between
populations was found to be very informative. For example, hamsters increase their body-weight in winter in the
Netherlands, while losing weight in Vienna. A clear explanation is not found yet, but the amount (presence) of winter
storage is expected to play a major role in this difference. The lack of winter storage may prevent hamsters in Vienna
to gain weight during winter, whereas hamsters in the Netherlands have large winter storages and are able to increase their body-weight. However, this hypothesis has to be verified.
The difference in growth rates in juvenile hamsters in captive/laboratory/urban populations and the wild population
in the Netherlands was already detected some years ago (La Haye & Müskens 2004; Heimann & Weinhold 2011) and
confirmed by results from camera-traps in the last few years (Müskens et al. 2011; Out et al. 2011). These results show
the high ecological plasticity of the species and are a warning that data from different populations should be used
carefully and not used without checking or awareness of the difficulties in using data from different populations,
regions or countries.
With the new camera-trap measurements new calibration lines for aging juvenile hamsters were constructed. Note
that above a weight of 200 grams in females, respectively 250 grams in males, the calibration lines become unreliable and aging is not possible.
With knowing the more or less exact age of juveniles, it is possible to estimate birth dates of trapped juveniles and
therefore to reconstruct the timing of birth of hamsters trapped in different trapping sessions. However, as juvenile
hamsters grow very fast, the period to ‘look back’ is only four-five weeks. This period is too short to cover the complete reproductive season. For a more reliable picture, more trapping sessions are needed at regular time intervals
during the reproductive season. Using camera-traps is preferred above regular life-trapping sessions, because of less
crop-damage and high costs involved in organizing and applying large-scale life-trapping sessions.
Although it was not possible to estimate timing of litters throughout the season, it was possible to get an indication
of the end of the reproductive period in different years. The end of the reproductive season can vary with at least
four weeks (circa 30 days) between years, which is a considerable period of time as the reproductive season starts
in the Netherlands in May and is terminated at the beginning of September (circa 125 days). Prolongation of the
reproductive period has probably a strong and positive effect on population size and number of hamsters. Contrary
to our expectations, weights of monitored females did not show any clear trend in relation to pregnancy.
Acknowledgements
We thank the breeders of Rotterdam Zoo, Vereniging Das&Boom and GaiaZoo for their cooperation and information
of the Dutch breeding project. Stefanie Monecke for her ongoing support and ideas on growth rates in juvenile
hamsters and Carina Siutz for the data of Vienna. A lot of the data were analysed by students and especially by
Marinde Out and Mirte Schipper. The hamster reintroduction project was funded by the former Dutch Ministry of
Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (Program BO-02-013: Active policy on species management).
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
References
Franceschini-Zink C. & E. Millesi (2008): Reproductive performance in female common hamsters. Zoology 111,76-83
Harpenslager SF, La Haye MJJ, van Kats RJM, Müskens GJDM (2011) Reproduction of the female Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in Limburg,
the Netherlands. Säugetierkundliche Informationen Band 8, Heft 42, pp 131-138. Proceedings of the 16t and 17th Meeting of the International
Hamster Workgroup; Ranis, Germany (2009), Gödollo, Hungary (2010).
Heimann L. & U. Weinhold (2011) Conservation breeding of Cricetus cricetus in Germany – postnatal development in captivity. Proceedings of
the 18th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup; Strasbourg, France (2011).
Kuiters L, La Haye M, Müskens G, Van Kats R (2010) Perspectieven voor een duurzame bescherming van de hamster in Nederland. Boek/Rapport
Alterra, Wageningen.
Kupfernagel C, (2007) Populationsdynamik und Habitatnutzung des Feldhamsters (Cricetus cricetus) in Südost-Niedersachsen. Dissertation,
Technischen Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig, Deutschland.
La Haye M. & G. Müskens (2004) New information about the reproduction of hamsters and its consequences for model-studies. Poster at the
12th International Hamster Congress. October, 2004. Strasbourg, France.
La Haye M. (2008) Is there a future for the Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in Western Europe? In Cricetinae, Internationales Ehrensymposium: 54-59, Sächsischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Stuttgart/Leipzig.
Müskens GJDM, Out M, van Kats RJM, Hermsen AM, La Haye MJJ & Kuiters L (2011) Hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) and Camera – Use of a camera
for collecting biological data about number of litters and the gain of weight of young in the first two months. Säugetierkundliche Informationen Band 8, Heft 42, pp 117-120. Proceedings of the 16ht and 17th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup; Ranis, Germany (2009),
Gödollo, Hungary (2010)
Out ME, Müskens GJDM, La Haye MJJ & van Kats RJM (2011) Unravelling the secret Life of Common Hamsters: special equipped camera traps
reveal new data about reproduction aspects of hamsters in the Netherlands. Proceedings of the 18th Meeting of the International Hamster
Workgroup; Strasbourg, France (2011).
Vohralík V. (1975): Postnatal development of the common hamster Cricetus cricetus (L.) in captivity. Academia Nakladatelství Ceskoslovenské
Akademie Ved, Praha
39
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Title:
How (inter)national regulations negatively
affect hamster-friendly management
Author(s):G. Müskens1 and M. La Haye1,2,*
Introduction
The hamster (Cricetus cricetus) is in Europe a heavily threatened species and protected under the EU habitat directive: appendix IV, under the convention of Bern and in the Netherlands under the Flora and Fauna Act (Kuiters et al.,
2010). The main factor for this strong decline since ca. 1960 is loss of habitat due to changes in agricultural use, particular a very strong decrease of farmland with cereals and changes in the cultivation of cereals. These changes resulted in less cover through the use of herbicides and earlier and more efficient harvest techniques (Out et al., 2011).
To keep the hamster as a wild species in the Netherland, two national conservation plans hamster were made (Beschermingsplan Hamster 2000-2004 and Beschermingsplan Hamster 2005-2010). The main goals were to protect
the remaining hamsters, starting a breeding-, reintroduction- and research program, establishing 500 ha of hamster-friendly management and create a better habitat-quality for nature on arable land. During the period of 2002
till 2010 it became clear that 500 ha was not enough and should be increased to 1000 ha. At the moment (autumn
2012) more than 300 ha of farmland is under contract by farmers and 100 ha by nature conservation organizations.
From 2002 onwards to 2010 the hamster-friendly management was implemented as an experiment to find out how
to organize and execute it, with the flexibility to change rules and prescriptions after each season. An approach
which was impossible under existing conservation-programs (because of national and international regulations)
(kuiters et al., 2010). Since 2011 the hamster-friendly management is part of the Support system for Nature and
Landscape (SNL). All forms of agricultural nature management (all Agri-Environment Schemes) in the Netherlands
are part of this national settlement which is partly subsidized by the EU. The administration of SNL is a new system
which is completely digital and is connected with other digital national systems which are (must be) used by all
Dutch farmers.
Method
At the start of the pilot in 2002 it was very difficult to find farmers who would participate in the project. There were
very strong misconceptions about the hamster due to presumed severe legislation. However, the Dutch government wanted to stop the decline of the hamster population anyway. As a result high costs were made to establish
strict farmland reserves and to convince farmers to sign contracts for hamster-friendly management
In the years from 2002 till 2010 the support and the number of participating farmers increased rapidly due to a good
cooperation based on trust and open discussion between farmers, researchers and the government (coordinated
by the Dutch Hamster Committee). Almost all the farmers who participated in the pilot-project continued there
contribution in the new SNL project in 2011 against much lower but more realistic compensation payments. However, because this financial compensation is also partly subsidized by EU money there were new strong demands.
The administrative execution of payments for hamster-friendly management is in the hands of a special department
of the Ministry: the Directorate Regulations (DR) and the field control is done by the new Food and Goods Authority
(nVWA).
The conditions are: good agricultural practice, conform the prescribed hamster management rules, conform EU
rules, conform the national SNL-contract and paying of the compensation in the first quarter the year afterwards.
Submitting an application for hamster-friendly management and paying out the money for compensation was
Wageningen UR, ALTERRA, PO Box 47, NL-6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands,
Radboud University Nijmegen / Bargerveen Society, Department of Animal Ecology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Wetland and Water
Research, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands,
* Currently working at the Dutch Mammal Society, Toernooiveld 1, NL-6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
1
2
40
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
arranged in a completely automatic digital system. That means in practice: all actions as submitting a request for
hamster-friendly management, software checks on permitted crops and software checks on exact surface and borders of the plots are done via a digital system, without assistance or a check by someone of DR.
Results
In the first year that the new SNL regulation was running there were no problems with the executing of the hamster-friendly management in the field (outside management was okay). However there were lots of problems as a
result of the new digital request and payment system (lot of administration problems). Most of the farmers had more
or less troubles with the digital system (table 1).
Table 1. Occurrence of problems with the digital request and paying system for hamster-friendly management by
participating farmers in 2011 (n = 27 farmers).
Occurrence
percentage
mistakes by submitting the application
55%
only partly paid
37%
not paid at all
26%
no problems
11%
In all the cases the farmers received automatically produced letters in official jargon which is difficult to understand.
To complain they had 6 weeks to write an objection. Some of the farmers had to write even more then one. In the
end, almost all problems could be repaired but it took the whole year of 2012. It was not possible for the Ministry to
repair the problems and mistakes by themselves due to juridical rules.
The observed problems could be addressed on the one hand to wrong choices (by farmers) in the digital application
and on the other hand to wrong checks on allowed crops (by DR), wrong data in the system regarding exact surfaces
of farmland-plots (provided by DR) and allowed bandwidth or on a combination of these (table 2).
Table 2. Observed cases resulting in payment problems
application
individual or collective
individual not allowed
application
bandwidth
forgotten or unclear
checks
crops
radish was not recognized as an allowed crop
checks
surface
unclear borders
checks
bandwidth
below minimum results in no payment
EU check
cross compliance
discount on all agricultural subsidies (not only HFM
For a better understanding of problems , three examples will be given.
Example 1: On plots with hamster-friendly management three crops were allowed: Lucerne, all kind of cereals (except maize) and radish (fig.1). The digital check unfortunately did not recognize radish as an allowed crop. So the area
of this crop within the hamster-friendly management-agreement was deducted to the total area of hamster-friendly
management and was not compensated. In the case that the area of hamster-friendly management became under
the minimum bandwidth , the farmer received a (automatically received) letter that he would not be paid at all and
that he had to pay back all the compensation from previous years. After complaints, the Department of Regulations
added radish as allowed into the system. However, all farmers with radish still had to complain and ask for an official
revision of their payments.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Figure 1. Hamster-friendly field with lucerne on the left and radish on the right
Example 2: Inaccurate demarcation lines caused also several times problems. Because the system is totally digital,
failures in allowed land use resulted in automatically generated fines for some farmers. For instance a farmer had
a plot of 3.21 ha with hamster-friendly management. Only 3.03 ha could be selected for hamster-friendly management because a demarcation line from the provincial government was not plot exactly on the border of his hamster-friendly managed plot (fig.2). The farmer requested for paying out 3.21 ha (which was correct). The 3.03 ha was
paid by the department without any problem but for the missing 0.17 ha he became a fine of €634,- the double of
the compensation money he had the right to. This farmer received an automatic written letter four months after the
final payment of his HFM. An objection is written and the expectation is that it will be declared valid.
Figure 2. A field from which a part
that could not be marked for hamster-friendly management
42
Example 3. Cross Compliance
rule. Every year 1% of the Dutch
farmers are selected for the European Cross Compliance control. In 2011 one of the farmers
with hamster-friendly management was in this random chosen group. Unfortunately this
farmer who participated with
all his 16 ha property in hamster-friendly management and
other nature friendly management, had ploughed a plot of
1.5 ha without reporting which
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
was obligatory after January 1, 2011. The action of ploughing itself was permitted. Because of his mistake of not
reporting, this farmer got a discount of 3% on all his money related to EU subsidies. In his case €251 for the normal
agricultural bonus but also on the compensation for income loose on the hamster-friendly management fields, an
orchard and a hedge being €976. He would not have had this last fine in the case of a normal agricultural product.
This measure was felt as very unfair in the case of compensation for income. The case is under the judge at the
moment.
Figure 3. Plough is in principle not allowed anymore because of the erosion regulation in hilly area
Conclusion
In the years between 2002 till 2010 during a pilot with experimental hamster-friendly management a lot of support for and trust in hamster-friendly management was built up with farmers. In 2012 after the hamster-friendly
management was categorized under new ministerial rules in accordance with European rules there was a strong
loss of support due to delayed payment, payments just after objections, extraordinary financial sanctions and cross
compliance rules. At the end of 2012 almost all the problems from the year 2011 were solved but with lots of annoyance, unnecessary extra costs and much extra time from advisors, the hamster-area coordinator and employees of
the Ministry. Problems were not due to people but to the flaws of a totally digital system and juridical obstacles. The
Ministry and the province were warned beforehand, but were too afraid to miss EU-subsidies or were not capable
of tackling the predicted problems.
The problems as mentioned above (will) have a strong negative effect on future hamster-friendly management
contracts and on uptake of HFM by new farmers. It is of utmost importance that Governments (or other responsible
bodies) recognize problems as mentioned above as early as possible and prevent that farmers will be confronted
with automatically generated fines and wrong decisions. We signalize an urgent need for a better balance between
rules and agricultural practice for ‘green’ services.
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19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Abstract
Since January 1, 2011 hamster-friendly management (HFM) in the Netherlands has been placed in the Support system for Nature and Landscape (SNL). All forms of agricultural nature management in the Netherlands are part of this
national settlement. The exploitation costs for this management are taken by the ministry of Economic Affairs. The
ministry receives a European subsidy for this Program. The requirements of the EU to obtain this subsidy are very
strict and hinders uptake of hamster-friendly management.
In 2011 the HFM to which the farmers were familiar with, was done conform the rules of the preceding years. However, the administrative handling by the Dutch government led to serious problems. In almost all cases the origin of
these problems were not addressed to farmers but to the administrative governmental bodies: fear for EU-sanctions
led initially to less or even no payment for involved farmers. In various cases fines have been imposed because the
application for HFM was not made conform the rules. In all cases, farmers had too proof that the government had
made the mistakes, which led to much incomprehension. Last but not least it turned out that one of the farmers
with HFM-project had been selected for a Cross Compliance Control. Because he had not reported the plough of a
small field, for which he normally had been given a warning, he got a deduction of 3% on all bonuses and subsidies
(not only HFM, but also all other subsidies), which applied also to the compensation-payment for losses in income
due to HFM.
Farmers were ‘not amused’ because of all problems and the support for uptake of HFM was severely shattered. It
took almost ten years to convince farmers to implement HFM on their farms and only one year to break down their
support. This shows once more how fragile and sensitive nature conservation on farmland still is. At the end of 2012
almost all the problems were solved, but only with the dedication of provincial employees, advisors and the regional
hamster-area coordinator.
Literature
Anonymous. Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Visserij, 1999. Beschermingsplan hamster 2000-2004. Rapport nr.
41, Directie Kennis, Ministerie van LNV, Ede. 60 p.
Kuiters L, La Haye M, Müskens G, Van Kats R (2010) Perspectieven voor een duurzame bescherming van de hamster
in Nederland. Boek/Rapport 2022 Alterra, Wageningen.
La Haye, M. en H. Jansman, 2005. Beschermingsplan hamster 2005-2010 (not published).
Out ME, van Kats RJM, Kuiters L, Müskens GJDM & La Haye MJJ (2011) Hard to stay under cover: seven years of crop
management aiming to preserve the Common Hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in the Netherlands. Säugetierkundliche
Informationen Band 8, Heft 42, pp 37-50. Proceedings of the 16t and 17th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup; Ranis, Germany (2009), Gödollo, Hungary (2010).
44
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Official Application document:
Cricetus cricetus 2012 Red list assessment drafted by the IHWG members
Cricetus cricetus - (Linnaeus, 1758)
ANIMALIA - CHORDATA - MAMMALIA - RODENTIA - CRICETIDAE - Cricetus - cricetus
Common Names: Hamster Comn (Spanish; Castilian), Common Hamster (English), Grand Hamster (French),
Black-bellied Hamster (English)
Taxonomic Note: The former separation into the Western subspecies C. c. canescens is due to recent genetic studies
no longer valid (Neumann et al. 2004, 2005).
Several genetic lineages exist within the species, (Neumann et al. 2004, 2005, Banaszek et al. 2010).
Red List Status
VU - Vulnerable, (IUCN version 3.1)
Red List Assessment
Assessment Information
Date of Assessment: 2012-10-25
Assessor(s): Banaszek, A., Eidenschenk, J., Hutterer, R., La Haye, M., Müskens, G., Reiners, T. E., Rusin, M., Tkadlec, E.,
Verbist, V., Weinhold, U., Ziomek, J.
Reviewers: Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Temple, H. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Regions: Global
Assessment Rationale
The common hamster has declined in almost all European range states. Local and regional extirpations and extinction have occurred in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Belarus and
Russia. These are nearly 50 % of the range states. With Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia large
parts of the Eastern range are now concerned. Future prospects due to the art. 17 Habitats Directive reports are
considered as bad or poor. Data deficiency still exists in various Eastern range states.
Reasons for Change
Change to higher category: Decline over 30 % within 10 years criterion A2! Generally meets criterion Bb (continuing
decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations
(v) number of mature individuals.)
Distribution
Geographic Range
Cricetus cricetus has a large global range, extending from Western Europe, through central and Eastern Europe,
Russia, and Kazakhstan, reaching as far East as the Yenisey river (Asian Russia). In Europe, it occurs from Belgium, the
45
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Netherlands and Eastern France (Alsace) in the West to Russia in the East, and from central Germany, Poland and
Russia in the North to Bulgaria in the South (Panteleyev 1998, Weinhold 1999). It is found from sea level to 650 m
(Nechay 2000).
Extent of Occurrence (EOO)
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO)- in km2: 0
Elevation / Depth / Depth Zones
Elevation Lower Limit (in metres above sea level): 0
Elevation Upper Limit (in metres above sea level): 650
Depth Zone: null
Map Status
Map Status: Done
Biogeographic Realms
Biogeographic Realm: Palearctic
Occurrence
Countries of Occurrence
Country
Presence
Origin
Formerly Bred
Seasonality
Austria
Extant
Native
-
-
Belarus
Extant
Native
-
-
Belgium
Extant
Native
-
-
Bulgaria
Extant
Native
-
-
China
Extant
Native
-
-
Croatia
Extant
Native
-
-
Czech Republic
Extant
Native
-
-
France
Extant
Native
-
-
Georgia
Extant
Native
-
-
Germany
Extant
Native
-
-
Hungary
Extant
Native
-
-
Kazakhstan
Extant
Native
-
-
Luxembourg
Extinct
Native
-
-
Netherlands
Extant
Native
-
-
Poland
Extant
Native
-
-
Romania
Extant
Native
-
-
Russian Federation
Extant
Native
-
-
Slovakia
Extant
Native
-
-
Slovenia
Extant
Native
-
-
Ukraine
Extant
Native
-
-
Population
46
It has undergone severe range and population declines in Western, central and Eastern Europe, and it now has a
highly fragmented distribution in these areas.
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Extirpations and extinction on local and regional scale have occurred in a number of countries including Belgium,
The Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Russia (Ziomek & Banaszek 2007, Banaszek et al. 2011, Tkadlec et al. 2012, Sidorov et al. 2011, Rusin & Banaszek 2013 in prep.). In Poland Cc. lost 80 %
to 90 % of its former range and remaining populations are fragmented. Polish experts therefore classify the status
as critically endangered (Ziomek & Banaszek 2007, Banaszek et al. 2011). In the Czech Republic Cc. vanished from
vast parts of the country and retreated to lowland habitats along great rivers (Tkadlec et al. 2012). Due to severe
declines in the Ukraine the common hamster received a protection status in 2009 and was included in the Red Book
(Mezhzherin 2009).
In Belarus Cc. is also under protection of a Red Book with just several localities known (Demyanchik 2004). In the
Russian Federation it has gone extinct in many Western regions (Oparin pers. com. 2011, Tikhonov & Stakheev pers.
com. 2011) and also declined in Southern Siberia (Sidorov et al. 2011). But in general little is still known about the
status of the species in Eastern Europe and Russia. There is no certainty anymore that the species is more abundant
in the Eastern range than in the West, instead it becomes more and more obvious that the decline of the common
hamster covers the whole distribution range.
Population Information
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Severely fragmented?
Justification
Yes
Meets criterion B a and b (ii, iii)
Habitats and Ecology
Its original habitat was fertile steppe and grassland, but it has successfully spread into a variety of anthropogenic
habitats including meadows, croplands (especially cereals), and field edges, road verges and scrubby fallow areas on
farms. In Eastern parts of its range it is found quite often in gardens and orchards, in close proximity to human habitation. It is more abundant in these man-made habitats than it is in natural grassland. It prefers relatively deep, heavy
soils, in which it digs extensive burrows. Its diet mainly consists of the green parts of plants and seeds, supplemented
by invertebrates and, occasionally, small vertebrates. At high densities, it can be an agricultural pest (Nechay 2000).
IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Habitat
Suitability
Major Importance?
3.4. Shrubland -> Shrubland - Temperate
Suitable
-
4.4. Grassland -> Grassland - Temperate
Suitable
-
14.1. Artificial/Terrestrial -> Artificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land
Suitable
-
14.2. Artificial/Terrestrial -> Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland
Suitable
-
14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial -> Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations
Marginal
-
14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial -> Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens
Marginal
-
Systems
System: Terrestrial
Threats
The causes of the global decline of Cc. are complex and not fully understood yet.
Its decline in Western Europe has been attributed to a combination of persecution and agricultural intensification.
Habitat loss and fragmentation due to intensive building of industrial estates alongside with the improvement of
47
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
road networks and infrastructure are severely disturbing natural population dynamics and lead to highly endangered “island populations”.
Habitat fragmentation also causes loss of genetic diversity (Banaszek et al. 2011, Banaszek & Ziomek 2012, La Haye
et al. 2011, Neuman et al. 2004, 2005).
Agricultural intensification, specifically the loss of perennial crops, the lack of crop diversity and large scale monocultural farming, are suspected to have negative impact. So may have the use of pesticides. The current change in
agricultural practices in Central and Eastern Europe, where the hamster population has traditionally been considered stable, is an actual threat in the near future. In former times it was trapped and poisoned to prevent damage to
crops, and this practice continues in some parts of the hamster’s range. In Hungary and possibly also other Eastern
European countries it continues to be trapped for the fur trade.
Threats Classification Scheme
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2.1.3. Agriculture & aquaculture -> Annual & perennial
non-timber crops -> Agro-industry farming
Ongoing
-
-
high Impact:1?
2.3.3. Agriculture & aquaculture -> Livestock farming & ranching -> Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming
Ongoing
-
-
high Impact: 1?
5.1.1. Biological resource use -> Hunting & trapping terrestrial
animals -> Intentional use (species is the target)
Ongoing
-
-
low impact: 3
5.1.3. Biological resource use -> Hunting & trapping terrestrial
animals -> Persecution/control
Ongoing
-
-
high Impact: 1?
9.3.4. Pollution -> Agricultural & forestry effluents -> Type Unknown/Unrecorded
Ongoing
-
-
low Impact: 3
Habitat loss
Ongoing
-
-
high Impact: 1
Fragmentation
Ongoing
-
-
high Impact: 1
Loss of Genetic diversity
Ongoing
medium impact: 2
Conservation
It is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EU Habitats and Species Directive. Specific
conservation recommendations to improve the status of the species in Western Europe are detailed in Stubbe and
Stubbe (1998), Nechay (2000), Weinhold (2009) and various other authors. These focus on subsidizing farmers to
manage agricultural habitats appropriately, to restore key habitat elements such as lucerne fields offering cover
and food after harvest and minimising the use of pesticides. In the last years reintroductions have been carried out
in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany but are still in the release phase. The Standing Committee of the
Bern Convention adopted an action plan for the conservation of the European hamster in 2009 (Weinhold 2009),
recommending the urgent need to update population data and trends in the Eastern part of the range as well as the
preparation of protection plans in those countries. Only in Western Europe (Belgium, France, The Netherlands ,Germany) conservation measures are currently carried out and monitoring of population trends takes place regularly.
These are 4 out of 19 countries belonging to the range of Cc where it is extant.
The remaining 15 countries together comprise the largest part of the range and especially with Poland, the Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia having the highest responsibility for this species. Monitoring is urgently required in Eastern range states to determine population trends.
48
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Conservation Actions In- Place
Successfully reintroduced or introduced benignly
Note
Yes
Migrated from Conservation Measures 5.1 Species-based actions->Re-introductions: in-place (only in GER, NL, FRA)
Conservation Actions Needed
Yes
Research Needed
Yes
Bibliography
Banaszek, A., Jadwiszczak, K. A., Ziomek, J., Neumann, K. (2010): Population structure, colonization processes and barriers for dispersal in
Polish common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus). - J Zool Syst Evol Res (2010) 48(2): 151–158.
Banaszek, A., Jadwiszczak, K. A., Ziomek, J. (2011): Genetic variability and differentiation in the Polish common hamster (Cricetus cricetus
L.) - Genetic consequences of agricultural habitat fragmentation. Mammalian Biology (76): 665-671
Banaszek A. & Ziomek J. (2012): Genetic variation and effective population size in an isolated population of the common hamster, Cricetus
cricetus. Folia Zool. 61: 34–43.
Demyanchek, V.T. (2004): Cricetus cricetus. In: Red Book of Belarus
IUCN. 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 5 October 2008).
La Haye, M., K. Neumann & H. Koelewijn (2011): Strong decline of gene diversity in local populations of the highly endangered Common
hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in the Western part of its European range. Conservation Genetics: 1-12.
Mezhzherin, S.V. (2009): Cricetus cricetus. In: Red Book of Ukraine. Kiev: 531
Nechay, G. 2000. Status of hamsters: Cricetus cricetus, Cricetus migratorius, Mesocricetus newtoni and other hamster species in Europe.
Council of Europe Publishing.
Neumann, K.,Jansman,H.,Kayser,A.,Maak,S.,Gattermann,R. (2004): Multiple bottlenecks in threatened Western European populations of the
common hamster Cricetus cricetus (L.). Conserv.Genet.5,181–193.
Neumann, K.,Michaux,J.R.,Maak,S.,Jansman,H.,Kayser,A.,Mundt,G.,Gatter mann, R. (2005): Genetic spatial structure of European common
hamsters a result of repente range expansion and demographic bottlenecks. Mol.Ecol.14, 1473–1483.
Panteleyev, P. A. (1998): The Rodents of the Palaearctic Composition and Areas. Pensoft, Moscow, Russia.
Rusin, M. & Banaszek, A. (2013): The common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in Ukraine: evidence for population decline. Folia Zoologica, article
in preparation.
Sidorov, G.V., Kassal, B.Yu., Goncharova, O.V., Vakhrushev, A.V., Frolov, K.V. (2011): Theriofauna of Omsk oblast: game species of rodents
Stubbe, M. and Stubbe, A. (1998): Ecology and Protection of the Common Hamster. Wissenschaftliche Beitr Martin-Luther-UniversityHalle-Wittenberg.
Tkadlec, E. , Heroldová, M., Víšková, V., Bednář, M. and Zejda, J. (2012): Distribution of the common hamster in the Czech Republic after 2000:
retreating to optimum lowland habitats. Folia Zool. 61 (3-4): 246-253
Weinhold, U. (1999): Cricetus cricetus. In: A. J. Mitchell-Jones, G. Amori, W. Bogdanowicz, B. Krystufek, P. J. H. Reijnders, F. Spitzenberger, M.
Stubbe, J. B. M. Thissen, V. Vohraland J. Zima (eds), The Atlas of European Mammals, Academic Press, London, UK.
Weinhold U. (2009): European action plan for the conservation of the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus, L. 1758). Nature and Environment
n°158, Council of Europe, Strasbourg.
Ziomek J. & Banaszek A. (2007): The common hamster, Cricetus cricetus in Poland: status and current range. Folia Zool. 56: 235–242.
49
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
2012 International Hamster Workgroup Attendees
50
First Name
Last Name
Contact email address
Organisation
Mathias
Abts
[email protected]
Vlaamse Overheid - Landbouw en Visserij
Jérémy
Bochenek
[email protected]
Association Sauvegarde Faune Sauvage
Céline
Boulade
[email protected]
Association Sauvegarde Faune Sauvage
Pierre
Boulay
[email protected]
GEPMA
Cécile
Bouquier
cecile.bouquier@developpement - durable.gouv.fr
DREAL Alsace
Alison
Boyes
[email protected]
RISE Foundation
Pierre
Crahay
[email protected]
ELO
Victoria
Canella
[email protected]
Association Sauvegarde Faune Sauvage
Luc
Crevecoeur
[email protected]
Province of Limburg
Peer
Cyriacks
[email protected]
Deutsche Wildtier Stiftung
Mark
de Boer
[email protected]
Rotterdam Zoo
Julien
Eidenschenck
[email protected]
Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage
Jimmy
Grandadam
[email protected]
Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage
Caroline
Habold
[email protected]
CNRS
Lisa
Heimann
[email protected]
Clotilde
Herbillon
clotilde.herbillon@developpement - durable.gouv.fr
DREAL Alsace
Rainer
Hutterer
[email protected]
Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig
Roux
Julie
[email protected]
GEPMA
Wilfried
Karwoth
[email protected]
Ute
Köhler
[email protected]
Maurice
La Haye
[email protected]
WUR
Christophe
Manssens
[email protected]
Faune & Biotopes
Bertille
Marquet
[email protected]
Association Sauvegarde Faune Sauvage
Bas
Martens
[email protected]
Gaiazoo
Stefani
Martens
[email protected]
Stefanie
Monecke
[email protected]
CNRS/Université Strasbourg
Gerard
Müskens
[email protected]
WUR
Urszula
Nowak
[email protected]
Adam Mickiewicz University
Ivana
Petrova
[email protected]
Palacky University Olomouc
Boulay
Pierre
[email protected]
Alice
Pillot
[email protected]
Tobias Erik
Reiners
[email protected]
Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History
Museum Frankfurt
Hans
Roosen
[email protected]
De Vlaamse Landmaatschappij
Julie
Roux
[email protected]
Joke
Rymen
[email protected]
Regionaal Landschap Haspengouw en Voeren
Marco
Sander
[email protected]
Elke
Scheibler
[email protected]
Ralf
Schreiber
[email protected]
Oskar
Schröder
[email protected]
Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig
Carina
Siutz
[email protected]
Michael
Stevens
[email protected]
Biostation Neuss
Kristijn
Swinnen
[email protected]
Antwerp University
Emil
Tkadlec
[email protected]
Palacky University Olomouc
Ruud
van Kats
[email protected]
WUR
Martijn
van Schie
[email protected]
Wim
Vandenrijt
[email protected]
De Vlaamse Landmaatschappij
Goedele
Verbeylen
[email protected]
Natuurpunt Studie
Ulrich
Weinhold
[email protected]
Institut für Faunistik
Veronique
Verbist
[email protected]
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Birgit
Weissinger
[email protected]
Mathieu
Weitten
[email protected]
CNRS
Anja
Werfling
[email protected]
raskin Umweltplanung und Umweltberatung GbR
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Images from the 2012 IHWG – thanks to all for your participation
51
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup
Herkenrode Abbey, Belgium, November 20th- 22nd, 2012
Main Conference Organiser
RISE Foundation
Address:
67 Rue de Trèves, B-1040, Brussels, Belgium
Website: www.risefoundation.eu
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 00 32 (0)2 234 30 00
Fax: 00 32 (0)2 234 30 09
Conference Co-Organiser
European Landowners’ Organization
Address:
67 Rue de Trèves, B-1040, Brussels, Belgium
Website: www.europeanlandowners.org
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 00 32 (0)2 234 30 00
Fax: 00 32 (0)2 234 30 09
Pantone 390
CMYK 24 / 0 / 98 / 8
Pantone 364
CMYK 73 / 9 / 94 / 39
Conference Sponsors
Province of Limburg
Address: Universiteitslaan 1, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Website: www.limburg.be
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +32 11 23 71 11
Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests
Address: Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Koning Albert II-laan 20, 1000 Brussel
Website: www.natuurenbos.be
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +32 25 53 81 02
Fax: +32 25 53 81 05
Conference Venue
Herkenrode Abbey
Address: Abdijsite Herkenrode
Herkenrodeabdij 4, B 3511 Hasselt
Website: http://www.abdijsiteherkenrode.be/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +32 11 23 96 70
Group visits, reservations and information
Tel: +32 11 23 95 42
[email protected]
52
19th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup, 2012.
Organised by the RISE Foundation with the support of the Province of Limburg, the Flemish Agency
for Nature and Forests, and the European Landowners’ Organization.
Pantone 390
CMYK 24 / 0 / 98 / 8
Pantone 364
CMYK 73 / 9 / 94 / 39