Enhanced access to anthropogenic food waste is related to hyperglycemia in raccoons (Procyon lotor). Issue 1 (13th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schulte-Hostedde, Albrecht I; Mazal, Zvia; Jardine, Claire M; Gagnon, Jeffrey
• Editors: Cooke, Steven
• Is Part Of: Conservation physiology. Volume 6:Issue 1(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-06-13
• Subjects: anthropogenic food source -- glucose metabolism -- mesocarnivore -- urban ecology; Nature -- Effect of human beings on -- Periodicals; Conservation biology -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-1434

Abstract

Abstract : Cities are expanding, and urban wildlife, including raccoons, are adapting by feeding on food waste. We found that raccoons with greater access to food waste were heavier and had elevated blood glucose levels, and suggest further research to examine the physiological consequences of urban living in wildlife. Abstract: Urban landscapes have well-known effects on wildlife populations. Many species of urban wildlife feed on anthropogenic food wastes, and little is known regarding the sub-lethal physiological consequences of this novel diet. We use samples from three populations of raccoons to test the hypothesis that access to anthropogenic food waste will lead to elevated body mass, blood glucose and serum leptin. Each population varied in their presumed access to food waste. We found that raccoons from the site with the highest presumed access to food waste were significantly heavier and had significantly higher levels of glycated serum protein (GSP, a marker of elevated blood glucose). In addition, GSP concentration was positively related to body mass. No significant differences in serum leptin were detected, nor was serum leptin related to body mass. Urban diets may have significant physiological consequences for urban wildlife related to glucose metabolism. Further research will be needed to determine the evolutionary consequences of the novel urban diet, and whether adaptation is occurring.