Science database

KNOWLEDGE BASE

We have gathered decades of scientific research from Great Britain, continental Europe and North America to share with people interested in diving deeper into the world of beavers.

This list of resources is being constantly amended and updated.

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Introduced beavers have thrived in southern Patagonia due to habitat availability and absence of predators. This article demonstrates for the first time that Culpeo foxes, an endangered native species in this area, prey on beavers under natural conditions. The event was caught on video and analysed for this article. This interaction suggests foxes may help control beaver populations in this area.

Published by: mSphere

25th April 2018

This study genetically sequenced 89 samples of a parasite called Giardia. This parasite can cause diarrhoea and other illnesses in humans. It spreads through contaminated water, and beavers have been implicated in its spread. The results showed that the Giardia parasite has two genetic types, but both are usually present in disease outbreaks.

Fatal leptospirosis in free-ranging Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber L.), Switzerland

Published by: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

19th April 2018

Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, was found in Swiss Eurasian beavers in 2010-2014. The disease had damaged the beavers' lungs and kidneys damage. The disease's spread coincided with increased cases in dogs and humans, but direct links between species weren't confirmed. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

Identification of Placental Aspartic Proteinase in the Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber L.)

Published by: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

18th April 2018

This study aimed to search for a specific group of enzymes called aspartic proteinases in the genetic material of the Eurasian beaver's placenta. The researchers managed to find the enzyme and reported on where it was - the first time this had been done for Eurasian beavers - and how it compared to other mammals.

Sediment and nutrient storage in a beaver engineered wetland

Published by: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

2nd April 2018

This article reports on a study of a beaver complex in south-west England. Researchers found that these beaver ponds held a lot of sediment, carbon, and nitrogen. Larger ponds stored more sediment, as did those at one end of the complex, closer to farmland upstream of the complex. The results suggest that beavers could help reduce soil erosion and pollution from intensive farming practices.

Beaver dams, streamflow complexity, and the distribution of a rare minnow, Lepidomeda copei

Published by: Ecology of Freshwater Fish

1st April 2018

In the USA, scientists explored whether a rare species of minnow, the northern leatherside chub, thrived in habitats around beaver dams. The results showed that the chub preferred warmer water, abundant aquatic life, and complex streamflows. All of these were found around beaver dams, but the scientists acknowledge that this is just one area and the test should be repeated on other sites.

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