The red European squirrel is threatened by the grey squirrel—an invasive species from North America.
The invasion of grey squirrels is just one of many examples of how human impact on nature often creates favorable living conditions for problematic species, while native species increasingly struggle for survival.
But how do invasive species actually manage to outcompete the natives, sometimes at a pace that astonishes researchers?
Part of the answer may lie in the squirrels' gut bacteria—their so-called microbiome.
Biologist Claudia Rosa Romeu's research suggests that the invasive grey squirrel has a more diverse range of bacteria in its body than the red squirrel. Their bacterial communities likely make the squirrels better equipped to adapt to growing urban environments, new diseases, and the increasing unpredictability of the seasons.
Microbes may thus serve as a kind of secret weapon, giving them an advantage over the red squirrels.
But how do we prevent invasive species like the North American grey squirrel from driving native species to extinction?
Claudia Rosa Romeu is a biologist and postdoc at the Section for Hologenomics at the University of Copenhagen.
Wanderlust is the starting point for all walks at Bloom—find it on the map. Each walk accommodates 25 guests, and you can secure your spot by collecting tickets at Wanderlust (a maximum of two per person). Tickets are free and released two hours before the walk begins. The entire festival has free entry.
This talk is in English.
Illustration: Edouard Joseph d'Alton