Comments on: Squirrel kebabs on the menu http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/10/27/squirrel-kebabs-on-the-menu/ The People's Republic of South Devon is a left-leaning magazine that champions lesser covered local news along with national and global issues. We value diversity, equality, participation and solidarity. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:11:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Star Carlton http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/10/27/squirrel-kebabs-on-the-menu/comment-page-1/#comment-106783 Star Carlton Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:40:11 +0000 http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/?p=2423#comment-106783 Instead of a chefs hat - he wears a coon pelt like Davey Crocket. Instead of a chefs hat – he wears a coon pelt like Davey Crocket.

]]> By: Andy Haynes http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/10/27/squirrel-kebabs-on-the-menu/comment-page-1/#comment-105223 Andy Haynes Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:05:02 +0000 http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/?p=2423#comment-105223 Where'd you find the squirrel pic? Is it available to purchase? Where’d you find the squirrel pic? Is it available to purchase?

]]> By: Kevin http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/10/27/squirrel-kebabs-on-the-menu/comment-page-1/#comment-91759 Kevin Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:44:30 +0000 http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/?p=2423#comment-91759 But possibly good news for the survival of the red squirrel, which was thought to be facing extinction England and Wales within 25 years. It may have developed an immunity to a virus being spread by its grey American cousin. There are only about 140,000 red squirrels left in Britain, with 75% of them in Scotland. This compares with about 2.5 million grey squirrels, which were introduced from America in 1876. Many red squirrel populations in England and Wales are declining rapidly as their grey rivals encroach on their territory and spread the squirrel pox virus, which doesn't appear to affect greys. However, it was previously thought that the virus was 100 per cent lethal to red squirrels and there was little or no chance of them developing immunity, but some are now surviving. This may represent a sign of co-evolution between host and virus - similar to the way the myxomatosis virus in rabbits co-evolved to become a less lethal form of the disease. Wouldn't it be nice to have the red squirrel back in Devon's countryside and parks? More information on this and other evolutionary topics is to be found on the Devon Humanist website. But possibly good news for the survival of the red squirrel, which was thought to be facing extinction England and Wales within 25 years. It may have developed an immunity to a virus being spread by its grey American cousin.

There are only about 140,000 red squirrels left in Britain, with 75% of them in Scotland. This compares with about 2.5 million grey squirrels, which were introduced from America in 1876. Many red squirrel populations in England and Wales are declining rapidly as their grey rivals encroach on their territory and spread the squirrel pox virus, which doesn’t appear to affect greys.

However, it was previously thought that the virus was 100 per cent lethal to red squirrels and there was little or no chance of them developing immunity, but some are now surviving. This may represent a sign of co-evolution between host and virus – similar to the way the myxomatosis virus in rabbits co-evolved to become a less lethal form of the disease.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the red squirrel back in Devon’s countryside and parks?

More information on this and other evolutionary topics is to be found on the Devon Humanist website.

]]>