Indirect effects of pine marten recovery result in benefits to native prey through suppression of an invasive species and a shared pathogen

Invasive species pose a major threat to native species, both through direct interactions, such as competition for resources, and indirect when the invasive acts reservoir host virulent pathogen. Recent research has indicated that recovery of predators can benefit prey compete with prey, in circumstances where predation is more pronounced on naïve species. We use red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), grey carolinensis) shared squirrelpox virus (SQPV) system North Wales, UK, case study assess impact recovering, predator pine marten (Martes martes), community structure. develop stochastic, spatial model represents habitat structure, distribution, connectivity Wales models interactions squirrels, SQPV, examine effect competitively linked native-invasive viral Our demonstrates potential role reversing replacement threatened regulation due sustained predation, resultant extirpation pathogen, which otherwise catalyses by squirrel. findings have specific applied conservation implications, but moreover demonstrate critical mitigating impacts and, indirectly, infectious diseases they harbour.