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<p>Urbanisation is currently expanding at small and global scales, forcing several species to adapt to this new environment. In this context, we investigated whether the variation in melanin-based colouration observed in European Hedgehogs could reflect adaptation to urbanisation as previously reported in other species. To address this question, we quantified the eumelanin-based colouration of 55 hedgehogs (29 males and 26 females) from photographs taken at a wildlife care centre and correlated this colouration with the level of urbanisation, which was estimated using a geographic information system (GIS) approach. Our results report the existence of a continuous variation in melanin-based colouration in hedgehogs which was negatively correlated with the level of urbanisation. Our correlative results suggest the existence of selection by urban environments on the melanin-based colouration in hedgehogs. The adaptive role of this colouration in urban environments remains to be identified.</p>

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Melanin-based colouration in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus): is it under selection in urban environments?

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月10日

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  • Isabelle Defosseux,
  • Cécile le Barzic,
  • Pascal Arné,
  • Grégory Jouvion,
  • Julien Gasparini

摘要

Urbanisation is currently expanding at small and global scales, forcing several species to adapt to this new environment. In this context, we investigated whether the variation in melanin-based colouration observed in European Hedgehogs could reflect adaptation to urbanisation as previously reported in other species. To address this question, we quantified the eumelanin-based colouration of 55 hedgehogs (29 males and 26 females) from photographs taken at a wildlife care centre and correlated this colouration with the level of urbanisation, which was estimated using a geographic information system (GIS) approach. Our results report the existence of a continuous variation in melanin-based colouration in hedgehogs which was negatively correlated with the level of urbanisation. Our correlative results suggest the existence of selection by urban environments on the melanin-based colouration in hedgehogs. The adaptive role of this colouration in urban environments remains to be identified.