北京市三个区域食肉类动物食性的比较分析

为了解北京地区捕食性动物的生存竞争关系,于2002年采用样线法收集北京松山、云蒙山、雾灵山3个区域的食肉动物粪便样品85份,并以食物残留物出现频率法进行了食性分析。粪样主要属于犬科的貉和赤狐、鼬科的黄鼬和猪獾、猫科的豹猫。粪样内容物的鉴定发现,此类动物的食物构成以小型哺乳类为主,鼠类的出现频率为82.4%,植物的出现率(54.1%)列为第二位,鸟类的出现率为31.8%,大型猎物的出现率仅为8.3%。犬科动物赤狐和貉的食物构成以棕背(50%)、植物(42.9%)和鼠科动物(40.5%)为主;猫科豹猫的食物构成中植物的出现率为72.4%,其次为鸟类(62.1%)和鼠科动物(48.3%),在生态旅游开发强度较大的区域塑料制品的出现率较高。通过对犬科动物和豹猫的食物生态位重叠度和生态位宽度的比较,讨论了捕食性动物的共存与竞争关系。     

高寒草甸生态系统中高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠的捕食风险及生存对策

调查青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统中两种主要啮齿动物及其天敌动物的种群密度,分析天敌动物对两种啮齿类的捕食方式、捕食强度,探讨啮齿类动物的捕食风险及生存对策。研究结果表明,高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠的种群密度分别为4．97只／hm^2和10．6只／hm^2,而它们的主要天敌赤狐、艾虎和香鼬的种群密度分别为0．16只／100hm^2、0．37只／100hm^2、3只／100hm^2。艾虎和香鼬在取食过程中主要搜寻啮齿类的洞道系统,全部食物几乎都来源于洞道系统内;赤狐或取食地面活动的鼠兔,或挖掘洞口待高原鼢鼠封闭洞口时取食猎物。高原鼠兔在赤狐、艾虎和香鼬的食物中所出现的频次分别为100％、96．1％、100％,高原鼢鼠在3种天敌动物的食物中所出现的频次分别为87．5％、73．2％、0％。3种天敌动物对高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠的捕食强度分别为0．703％和0．038％,高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠所承受的捕食风险分别为0．780和0．393。高原鼠兔在高的捕食风险下通过行为对策和繁殖对策增加其适合度,而承受捕食风险较小的高原鼢鼠主要通过封闭的洞道系统和高的存活率增加其适合度。     

几种食肉目动物的足迹与粪便形态描述

为利用足迹和粪便度量途径获得野外快速识别物种的方法,通过鉴定已有标本、调查动物足迹和粪便形态特征,分析了内蒙古赛罕乌拉国家级自然保护区分布的食肉目动物种类。确认在该区域共有9种食肉目动物,依据动物遗留粪便样品的宽度和外部形态能够区分不同体型的捕食动物。以足迹是否有爪印鉴别猫科动物和其他种类。以足迹大小区分猞猁Lynx lynx和豹猫Felis bengalensis,以前足具有长爪印确定狗獾Meles meles,以前足第3、4指基部紧密联结区分貉Nyctereutes procyonoides与沙狐Vulpes corsac和赤狐Vulpes vulpes,以跳跃步幅区分香鼬Mustela altaica和艾鼬Mustela eversmanni。本研究为开展区域性食肉目动物监测提供了便于掌握和使用的野外调查方法。另外,通过核查标本确认本地区仅有狗獾,增加了香鼬在内蒙古的分布地。     

两种分析方法在豹猫食物构成中的应用比较

豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)作为北京地区的顶级食肉动物,对于维持食物网结构和生态系统稳定性起到重要的生态作用。对于捕食动物食物构成研究,较为简便的方法是粪样内容物检视法,而粪样残余物DNA鉴定技术具有更为准确细致的优势,但也存在不足,探索不同方法的优势互补,将有助于提高技术应用成效。本研究利用DNA宏条形码技术与粪样内容物分析法,对采集自北京市4个自然保护区的71份豹猫粪样进行食物构成分析,比较两种分析方法的特点,了解豹猫的食物资源利用状况。结果显示,DNA宏条形码技术共鉴别出36种猎物,来自10目22科,4个保护区的豹猫食性具有显著差异,百花山、松山、云蒙山保护区的豹猫食物种类的出现比率均以小型哺乳类为主,其中对鼠类的捕食比例最高,对鸟类的捕食次之,而分布于云峰山保护区的豹猫对鸟类捕食比例最高,对鼠类的捕食次之。粪样内容物分析法鉴别出9类猎物,其中包括昆虫和植物两种DNA宏条形码技术未检出的食物,4个保护区的豹猫食物均以鼠类和鸟类为主,且最多检测出鼠类数量为3只、鸟类2只,次要食物则为植物和昆虫。两种方法均显示北社鼠(Niviventer confucia...     

凉水自然保护区松鼠的越冬行为策略

在2006 年冬季预观察的基础上,于2007 年10 月31 日至2008 年3 月25 日在40 hm2 范围内使用无线电颈圈和彩色塑料颈圈标记8 只松鼠。结合无线电追踪技术和雪地痕迹技术,采用目标取样法对凉水自然保护区冬季松鼠行为进行了连续21 周的定位观察,以研究松鼠行为节律、空间行为和重取行为对冬季低温条件的响应。结果表明,松鼠冬季的活动节律为单峰型,随着气温的下降显著延后出巢时间(Kendall τ test;n = 21,r =- 0.92,τ = - 0.86,P < 0. 0001), 缩短活动时长(Kendall τ test; n = 21,r =0.80,τ = 0.68,P <0.0001)。松鼠冬季家域近似椭圆形(面积2.46 ±0.09 hm² ), 未见个体间家域重叠。秋季松鼠将红松种子分散贮藏于整个家域范围内,但重取行为相对集中于几个主要区域(重取区)。依据巢和重取区的位置特征及其利用率可将家域划分为3 个部分:主区位于家域的中段,辅区靠近红松母树林,次辅区位于家域远离红松母树林一侧。贮藏的红松种子是松鼠冬季唯一的食物来源。在冬季的不同阶段,松鼠对不同重取区的利用率显著不同(初冬,Kruskal-
Wallis test;df = 2, x² = 5.65, P = 0.0594; 隆冬,Kruskal-Wallis test;df = 2,x² = 14.24, P = 0.0008; 晚冬,One-Way ANOVA Test,df = 2,18, F = 7.00,P = 0.0056), 位于主区(初冬利用率37.8 ± 7.7% ,隆冬利用率80.5 ±9.2% ,晚冬利用率40.5 ±2.7% )和辅区(初冬利用率41.8 ± 5.9% ,隆冬利用率14.8 ± 9.2% ,晚冬利用率37.8 ± 4.9% )的重取区是松鼠的主要重取区。随着时间推移空取率显著提高(Kruskal-Wallis test;df = 2,x² = 16.60,P = 0.0002)的现象提示松鼠很可能依靠空间记忆取回贮藏的食物。轮换利用多个巢(6 ± 1)有助于降低松鼠被天敌捕食的风险。这些巢都分布在重取区附近,巢的利用与重取区的利用显著相关(Kendall τ test;主区:n = 217,r = 0.79,τ = 0.6256,P = 0.0003;辅区:n = 171,r = 0.67,τ = 0.6186,P = 0.0006;次辅区:n = 88,r = 0.74,τ = 0.6565,P = 0.0006),松鼠通常取食后即直接进入就近的巢过夜,有助于松鼠减少
能量损耗。多域集中重取及相应的巢轮换策略是松鼠对冬季低温环境及天敌捕食压力的综合响应。     

白马雪山自然保护区响古箐滇金丝猴活动时间分配

2008 年6 月至2009 年5 月,在白马雪山国家级自然保护区南端的响古箐(北纬27°37′,东经99°22′),采用瞬时扫描取样法对一群数量约480 只的滇金丝猴群的活动时间分配进行了研究。研究期间共观察取样1 609 h,扫描个体数为260 546。研究表明,响古箐滇金丝猴用38.8% 的时间取食、27. 4% 的时间移动、20. 9%的时间休息、12.9% 的时间从事其他类型活动。滇金丝猴活动时间分配季节性差异明显。冬季,滇金丝猴的取食时间长于其他季节,达到41. 5% ;秋季,取食时间在全年最短(36.5% )。夏季的高温没有影响滇金丝猴的移动,它们移动的时间达到32.8% ,高于其他3 个季节。寒冷的冬季,响古箐滇金丝猴为了减少能量损失,用于休息的时间达到24.4% 。秋季,滇金丝猴从事其他类型活动的时间(15.7% )多于另外3 个季节。研究发现,
绝对移动时间与昼长和月平均温度呈明显正相关(P < 0. 01),绝对休息时间与月平均温度呈负相关(r =- 0. 585,P = 0.046),但降水量的多少与猴群各种活动时间分配之间没有明显的相关性(P > 0.05)。食物贡献率与滇金丝猴日活动时间分配也存在相关性。取食松萝比例与猴群移动时间呈负相关(r = - 0.902,P <0.001),与休息时间呈正相关(r = 0.860,P < 0.001)。猴群取食树叶比例增加时,它们移动时间也随之增加(r = 0.832,P = 0.001)。夏季,滇金丝猴取食竹笋的比例增加时,猴群移动时间也明显增多。以上结果表明,滇金丝猴活动时间分配受食物资源状况、昼长季节性变化和气候条件的影响。     

四川米亚罗省级自然保护区鸟兽多样性红外相机监测初报

监测保护地鸟兽多样性现状对区域内生物多样性保护具有重要意义。我们于2018年5月至2019年6月利用红外相机技术和公里网格方案在四川米亚罗省级自然保护区布设60个位点进行兽类和鸟类物种多样性本底资源调查。在成功回收数据的58个位点上,经过19 252个相机工作日调查后, 共拍摄到45种野生鸟兽, 隶属8目20科, 其中国家I级和国家II级重点保护野生动物分别有6种和11种, 被ICUN红色名录评估为濒危 (EN) 、易危 (VU) 和近危 (NT) 的物种分别为4种、3种和5种。兽类中以食肉目物种数最多 (6科10种) , 偶蹄目次之 (4科7种) 。相对多度指数最高的兽类物种是中华鬣羚 (Capricornis milneedwardsii, RAI = 19.58) , 其次是猪獾 (Arctonyx collaris, RAI = 11.58) 和黄喉貂 (Martes flavigula, RAI = 5.56) 。相对多度指数最高的鸟类物种是血雉 (Ithaginis cruentus, RAI = 9.18) , 其次是灰头鸫 (Turdus rubrocanus, RAI = 3.27) 和绿尾虹雉 (Lophophorus lhuysii, RAI = 2.91) 。相较于米亚罗保护区的历史资料, 本调查新增了2种兽类和4种鸟类的分布纪录, 分别是黄鼬(Mustela sibirica)、香鼬 (M. altaica) 、淡背地鸫 (Zoothera mollissima) 、小虎斑地鸫 (Z. dauma) 、白眉林鸲 (Tarsiger indicus) 和灰头绿啄木鸟 (Picus canus) 。调查初步掌握了米亚罗保护区鸟兽的物种组成和种群状况, 为邛崃山系中部保护区群的区域性生物多样性评估与保护规划提供了基础资料与数据支持。     

贯叶连翘提取物对小鼠免疫性心肌炎心肌纤维化的影响及其机制*

目的:研究贯叶连翘提取物(HPE)对小鼠实验性免疫性心肌炎心肌纤维化(MFEAM)的影响。方法:利用猪心肌肌球蛋白免疫易感鼠系,建立小鼠MFEAM模型,将MFEAM模型组小鼠随机分为: MFEAM模型组(n=14)、HPE100 mg/kg组(n=13)、HPE 40 mg/kg组(n=13)、Cap 50 mg/kg对照组(n=13)。各组药物每次均分别以0.4 ml生理盐水溶解,采用灌胃给药方式,每天2次,共60 d;正常对照组(n=10),MFEAM模型组按上述方法同体积同疗程给予生理盐水。通过观察小鼠一般情况,测定心脏重量、脾脏重量与体重之比,检测小鼠血清中I型前胶原N端前肽(PINP)、III型前胶原N端前肽(PIIINP)含量及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)浓度,Masson染色显微镜观察心肌纤维化(MF)程度及胶原容积分数(CVF)测定,Western blot检测心肌TGF-β1蛋白表达。结果:MFEAM模型组小鼠血清中TGF-β1浓度及PINP、PIIINP含量显著升高,MF程度及CVF增加,心肌TGF-β1蛋白表达上调,与正常组比较差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);而HPE 40 mg/kg、100 mg/kg及Cap对照组血清PINP、PIIINP含量及TGF-β1浓度均减少,不同HPE或Cap剂量显著改善或降低MFEAM模型小鼠MF程度及CVF,不同程度下调心肌TGF-β1蛋白表达水平,与MFEAM模型组比较差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。结论:HPE对MF有治疗作用,可能与其减少胶原蛋白沉积,抑制TGF-β1信号通路有关。     

急、慢性运动对2型糖尿病大鼠脂肪PI3K/AKT/GLUT4通路的影响

目的:探讨急性和慢性运动对2型糖尿病(T2DM)大鼠脂肪组织明磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(AKT)/葡萄糖运载体4(GLUT4)信号通路的影响。方法:15月龄SD雄性大鼠52只随机分为正常对照组(n=13)和高脂组(n=39),分别喂养普通和高脂饲料。8周后,高脂组体重＞正常对照组20％,注射小剂量STZ后,血糖＞16.7 mmol/l,造模成功。将糖尿病模型组随机分为糖尿病对照组(DC,n=13),糖尿病慢性运动组(DCE,n=13),糖尿病急性运动组(DAE,n=13)。DCE组进行8周的游泳运动,DAE组进行一次性游泳运动。测定血脂,血糖和血清胰岛素,Western blot法测定脂肪PI3K、AKT和GLUT4蛋白含量。结果:糖尿病组体重、血脂、血糖、胰岛素显著高于正常对照组(P均＜0.01);高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平降低(P＜0.05),脂肪组织中PI3K、AKT和GLUT4蛋白表达下降(P均＜0.01)。糖尿病慢性运动组体重、血脂、血糖、胰岛素均出现显著性下降(P均＜0.01);HDL-C升高(P＜0.05),脂肪PI3K、AKT和GLUT4蛋白表达上升(P＜0.01)。糖尿病急性运动组血脂、血糖、胰岛素下降(P均＜0.05);HDL-C升高(P＜0.05),脂肪PI3K、AKT和GLUT4含量显著上升(P均＜0.05)。结论:①高脂饮食结合小剂量STZ诱导的T2DM大鼠脂肪组织PI3K/AKT通路受损,降低了胰岛素的敏感性。②急性、慢性有氧运动,均可以通过PI3K/AKT通路,改善糖脂代谢紊乱,慢性运动略优于急性运动。     

利用红外相机对贵州茂兰自然保护区兽类和鸟类资源的初步调查

2016年8月至12月,在贵州茂兰国家级自然保护区布设69台红外相机(1台丢失,3台损坏),对区内大中型兽类及林下鸟类资源进行连续监测。共记录到11种兽类和16种鸟类,包括1种国家I级重点保护野生动物（白颈长尾雉Syrmaticus ellioti）和4种国家II级重点保护野生动物（斑灵狸Prionodon pardicolor、猕猴Macaca mulatta、白鹇Lophura nycthemera、仙八色鸫Pitta nympha）。其中,相对丰富度最高的兽类为小泡巨鼠（Leopoldamys edwardsi）（RAI=15.22）、红腿长吻松鼠（Dremomys pyrrhomerus）（RAI=9.58）、帚尾豪猪（Atherurus macrourus）（RAI=1.46）、鼬獾（Melogale moschata）（RAI=1.04）、赤腹松鼠（Callosciurus erythraeus）（RAI=0.57）;相对丰富度最高的鸟类为紫啸鸫（Myiophoneus caeruleus）（RAI=3.79）,白鹇（RAI=3.25）,橙头地鸫（Zoothera citrina）（RAI=0.45）,虎斑地鸫（Zoothera dauma）（RAI=0.45）。豹猫（Prionailurus bengalensis）、仙八色鸫、灰头鸫（Turdus rubrocanus）、灰翅鸫（Turdus boulboul）、灰眶雀鹛（Alcippe morrisonia）、绿翅金鸠（Chalcophaps indica）、黄嘴栗啄木鸟（Blythipicus pyrrhotis）为保护区新记录。活动节律分析结果显示,白鹇和紫啸鸫为昼行性动物,帚尾豪猪和鼬獾为夜行性动物,结果与传统方法基本一致。本研究结果有助于监测茂兰保护区中大中型兽类和林下鸟类资源,为保护区有效管理提供数据支持。     

Foraging and diet of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in relation to variable food resources in Biatowieza National Park, Poland

Feeding ecology of red fox Vulpes vulpes was studied by scat analysis and snow-tracking m primeval temperate forest and adjacent meadows during four years (1985/86-1988/89) Winters varied from mild to unusually severe Main food resources for foxes were rodents of open meadows and river valleys (root vole Microtus oeconomus ). forest rodents (bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus and yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis ), hare Lepus europaetis and carcasses of wild boar Sus scrofa and red deer Cervus elaphus either killed by wolves and lynx or that had died from inanition Composition of fox diet m four cold seasons (autumn-winter) was compared to the abundance of main food resources Prolonged, sharp decline of Microtus was followed by only a twofold decrease of its share in fox diet Foxes continued to prey on declining Microlus The changes in the proportions of forest rodents and hare in fox diet clearly followed the fluctuations in numbers of these two prey Carcasses were alternative, buffer food to foxes and were taken considerably when Microlus and other prey were in low numbers or poorly accessible The depth of snow was the most important factor restricting foxes access to rodents Snow-tracking revealed that foxes dwelling in the forest widely used adjacent open areas In open meadows foxes mainly hunted for rodents, while in the forest the most significant foraging activity was scavenging Seasonal analysis of fox diet revealed that consumption of Microlus by foxes was stable throughout the year (37-47% of biomass consumed) Bank vole significantly contributed to fox diet in autumn, and hare in summer only Scavenging was most pronounced in winter and spring when carcasses made up 30% of biomass taken     

The diet of feral raccoon dog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nyctereutes procyonoides</Emphasis>) and native badger (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meles meles</Emphasis>) and red fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) in Denmark

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is an East Asian Canid that has been introduced in Europe. Introduction of alien species is an increasing conservation issue. We examined the diet of a recently established raccoon dog population in Denmark by analysing stomach content in 249 carcasses collected in 2008–2016. Raccoon dog diet was compared to the diet of native badger (Meles meles) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Denmark. The most common food for raccoon dogs were invertebrates (frequency of occurrence, FO 69%), small mammals (FO 68%), birds (FO 41%), fruits (FO 38%), amphibians (FO 36%) and carrions (FO 34%). The occurrence of invertebrates was highest during spring and summer, while fruits, cereals and carrions were eaten most often during autumn and winter. As expected, raccoon dog shared the major food categories with badger and red fox, but generally, it had a wider dietary niche. Overall, dietary overlap between raccoon dog and badger was 0.74 (Pianka index, O_jk). The dietary overlap with red fox was relatively high in all seasons, peaking in summer (O_jk 0.87) and dropping in winter (O_jk 0.79). Despite the dietary overlap between the alien racoon dog and native red fox and badger, the species may coexist due to partitioning of feeding habitats and/or because the red fox is limited by other factors, e.g. diseases and anthropogenic activities. The introduced raccoon dog seems to fit a dietary niche between badger and red foxes in human-dominated landscapes in north-western Europe.     

Foraging ecology and spatial behaviour of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a wet grassland ecosystem

We investigated diet composition, habitat selection and spatial behaviour of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in relation to the availability of wader nests in a coastal polder area in southwest Denmark. The predatory role of the red fox in wet grassland ecosystems has profound implications for conservation status of declining populations of grassland breeding waders. However, few studies have focussed on the foraging ecology and behaviour of the red fox in these landscapes. Faecal analyses revealed that fox diet consisted of birds (43 % of prey remains?/?32 % of biomass), rodents (39 %?/?21 %), sheep (mainly as carrion, 14 %?/?41 %) and lagomorphs (4 %?/?7 %). Charadriiformes (including waders) comprised 3–12 % of prey remains throughout the year. Telemetry data and spotlight counts indicated that foxes did not select areas with high densities of breeding waders, suggesting that foxes did not target wader nests while foraging. Foxes maintained stable home ranges throughout their lives, indicating that the area sustained a permanent fox population all year round. The population densities, estimated from spotlight surveys, were 0.74 visible foxes km^?2 (95 % CI; 0.34–1.61) on the preferred breeding habitat for waders and 1.21 km^?2 in other open habitats such as cultivated fields. Our results indicate that red fox predation on wader nests is incidental, consistent with the notion that red foxes are generalist predators that opportunistically subsist on many prey groups.     

Europe‐wide biogeographical patterns in the diet of an ecologically and epidemiologically important mesopredator,the red fox Vulpes vulpes: a quantitative review

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Variation in the diet of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in mountain habitats: Effects of altitude and season

The diet of red fox was studied on the basis of faecal analysis (2242 specimens) in mountain habitats. Three different areas of the ?umava Mts. (SW Bohemia, Czech Republic) were examined during the growing and non-growing seasons in 1998–2008. Related taxa were pooled, merging similar items into 17 groups for subsequent analysis. Patterns of food composition were interpreted using Principal Component Analysis. The diet of the red fox in mountain habitats comprises a broad spectrum of items, including big ungulates (the red fox makes use of carcass), other vertebrates, various invertebrate species, fruits, and also indigestible items. Principal components reflected the seasonal pattern in food composition (56.7% of variation in taxonomic groups among the areas and seasons) as well as altitudinal gradient (24.0% of this variation). We refer to proportional increase of Carnivora, Reptilia, Amphibia, earthworms, Mollusca, fruits, Coleoptera and other Insects in growing season compared with non-growing season at the expense of decrease in proportion of Rodentia, Artiodactyla and galliform birds. The higher occurrence of Lagomorpha, fishes, plants and indigestible items in the diet consumed in the foothills reflects their wide supplies in the urbanised areas or their functioning as prey alternatives under food conditions in lower altitudes.     

Ranging behaviour and activity of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes: Mammalia) in relation to environmental variables, in a Mediterranean mixed pinewood

The relationships between the main abiotic environmental variables, food availability, dict, activity and home range size of the fox in a Mediterranean mixed pinewood were assessed. Food habits were determined by faecal analysis on a weekly basis. Food availability was measured by weekly censuses. Radio-tracking allowed the detection of fox movements and activity. Individual differences shown by a sample of four radio-tagged foxes were analysed. Juniper berries (Juniperus oxycedrus) were the staple of the diet during the year, except in summer. Insects, mainly nocturnal Orthoptera and cicada larvae (Cicada orni), were the main prey in the warm season. Large vertebrates, mostly wild boars (Sus scrofa), were scavenged in winter. In the warm season foxes' activity depended largely on the pattern of activity of prey. Food habits tended to depend on food availability, which, in turn was mainly influenced by temperature. In spite of habitat similarity, individual differences in food habits were detected within the same season. Home ranges were larger in pinewood than in neighbouring heterogeneous habitats. Individual home range sizes were: (i) directly correlated to Orthoptera abundance and distribution; (ii) inversely correlated to the abundance of cicada larvae in diet. Resident males may exist in fox society, exploiting other males' territories when good clumped food resources are available.     

Feeding responses of the red fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) to different wild rabbit (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryctolagus cuniculus</Emphasis>) densities: a regional approach

We investigate the feeding responses of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at a regional scale to different densities of European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in central–southern Spain. Rabbit abundance indices were obtained in 86 localities during summer 2002. The diet of the fox was studied by analysis of 114 scats collected in 47 of these localities. The feeding response of the fox was examined by a representation of the dry weight percent of rabbit in the diet as a function of the abundance of rabbits; this used data only from those localities where at least 3 scats were collected (70 fox scats from 18 localities). We evaluated the relationship between rabbit abundance and the diversity of the diet of the fox. The feeding patterns of red foxes approximated to Holling’s type III functional response, typical of opportunistic predators. There was a negative relationship between the diversity of the fox’s diet and the abundance of rabbits. Therefore, the fox apparently behaves as a facultative predator, feeding on rabbits when they are abundant and shifting to other prey (and hence a more diverse diet) when rabbits are scarce. These findings are the first step towards understanding the potential role of red foxes in regulating rabbit populations in central–southern Spain.     

Fox predation on cyclic field vole populations in Britain

The diet of the red fox Vulpes vulpes L. was studied during three winter periods in spruce pklantations in Britain, during which time the cyclic field vole Microtus agrestis L. populations varied in abundance. Field voles and roe deer Capreolus capreolus L. were the two main prey species in the diet of the red fox. The contribution of lagomorphs to fox diet never exceeded 35% and species of small mammal other than field voles were of minor importance. The contribution of field voles was dependent on vole density. The non-linear density dependent relationship with a rather abrupt increase of field voles in fox did when vole density exceeded ca 100 voles ha⁻¹ was consistent with a prey-switching response. The contribution of field voles to fox diet during the low phase of population cycles was lower in Kielder Forest than in other ecosystems with cyclic vole populations. The number of foxes killed annually by forestry rangers was consistent with the evidence from other studies that foxes preying on cyclic small rodents might show a delayed numerical response to changes in vole abundance. Estimates of the maximum predation rate of the fox alone (200–290 voles ha⁻¹ of vole habitat year⁻¹) was well above a previously predicted value for the whole generalist predator community in Kielder Forest. Our data on the functional response of red foxes and estimates of their predation rates suggest that foxes should have a strong stabilising impact on vole populations, yet voles show characteristic 3-4 yr cycles.     

Trophic niche overlap and wild ungulate consumption by red fox and wolf in a mountain area in Italy

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and wolf (Canis lupus) are two widespread opportunistic predators living in simpatry in many areas. Nonetheless, scarce information are available on their trophic interactions. We investigated food habits of these two carnivores in a mountain area in Italy and assessed the extent of their trophic niche overlap, focusing on the consumption of wild ungulates. Thereby we analyzed the content of 669 red fox scats and 253 wolf scats collected between May 2008 and April 2009. Red foxes resulted to have a more than three times higher niche breadth than wolves. Vegetables, small mammals, wild ungulates, and invertebrates were major items (altogether 92% of volume) of the red fox annual diet. On the contrary wolf annual diet relied on wild ungulates (94% of volume) with wild boar (Sus scrofa) being the main food item. The degree of trophic niche overlap between the two species was found to be low (Pianka's O = 0.356). Diet variation between the warm and the cold seasons was limited in both species, and higher in red fox than in wolf. The two canids appeared to use wild ungulates unevenly being the former more selective for younger preys, smaller in size (newborn piglets and roe deer Capreolus capreolus fawns), whereas the latter exhibited a preference for medium-sized and large ungulates (10–35 kg wild boar and adult roe deer). Even if wild ungulates represent the main shared food category, the different use of age/weight classes by the two predators, together with their possible consumption as carrions by red fox, suggests a very limited trophic competition between wolf and red fox.This study represents a contribution to the knowledge of trophic interaction in predator–prey systems where sympatric carnivores are present.