Climatic niche comparison of raccoons <i>Procyon lotor</i> and raccoon dogs <i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i> in their native and non?native ranges

During the last century, practice of fur farming in Europe led to introduction two mammal species from opposite ends world. With their subsequent unintentional escape captivity or intentional releases, process slow expansion and establishment began. The raccoon Procyon lotor dog Nyctereutes procyonoides are included on European Union’s list invasive alien species. We characterised current climatic niches native ranges North America Asia, compared them with non-native-range Europe, where we also projected suitability. aim was locate suitable habitats beyond assess a range can be expected. Niche comparison projection suitability were based eight bioclimatic variables presence records Global Biodiversity Information Facility database. For niche modelling, applied maximum entropy approach (Maxent) used native-range data for training. Minimum temperature coldest month (bio06) identified as most important variable habitat models both Different tolerance levels regarding this might explain small differences between species’ ranges, especially north east Europe. high unfilling suggests potential present ranges. only little understanding ecological impacts new including risk SARS-CoV-2 reservoir hosts, further research management is required at various spatial scales