Hair Snares for Noninvasive Sampling of Felids in North America: Do Gray Foxes Affect Success? |
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| Authors: | PATRICIA J DOWNEY ERIC C HELLGREN ARTURO CASO SASHA CARVAJAL KERRI FRANGIOSO |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;2. Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA;3. Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria, Boulevard Emilio Portes Gil no. 1301, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico 87010;4. Wildlife Conservation Society, P.O. Box 693, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: Hair-snare sampling has become a popular technique to assess distribution and abundance of felids. Using standard hair-snaring protocols, we sampled for margays (Leopardus wiedii) in Mexico and mountain lions (Puma concolor) in California, USA, without success. However, we noted a preponderance of gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) hair at sampling stations. Our review of recent literature suggests a pattern of failure to detect target felids in hair-snare surveys conducted within the range of the gray fox. We propose, among several alternative explanations, that marking by gray foxes interferes with the tendency of felids to face-rub at sampling stations. |
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| Keywords: | felids gray fox hair snares Leopardus wiedii margays Mexico mountain lions Puma concolor Urocyon cinereoargenteus |
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