High genetic diversity and low population structure in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Croatia

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a highly adaptable omnivorous mammal distributed across all continents on the northern hemisphere. Although the red fox is present throughout Europe, where it plays an important ecological and socio-economic role not only as a game species but also as a rabies reservoir, few studies have examined its population-level mitochondrial DNA variability. In this study, 27 mitochondrial DNA control region haplotypes were identified in 229 red fox samples taken from four regions in Croatia. Haplotype diversity of Croatian red foxes (0.901) was found to be among the highest of all European red fox populations studied to date. Genetic differentiation among regions was quite low, and statistically significant estimates of differentiation were obtained only when comparing the population from the peninsular region of Istria with the three continental populations. It seems that landscape barriers like rivers and small mountains do not restrict gene flow among foxes in the continental part of Croatia, while the combination of a narrow land bridge and altitudes exceeding 1000 m limit fox migration between Istria and the rest of the continent. Better understanding of small-scale population structure will require analysis of highly variable nuclear markers like microsatellites.     

Dental anomalies in the gray foxUrocyon cinereoargenteus and the red foxVulpes vulpes

We examined dental anomalies, including oligodonty, polydonty, connation, rotation, and misalignment in 510 gray foxes and 150 red foxes from southern Illinois (USA). Dental anomalies were significantly more common (x ² = 11.5, df = 1,p < 0.001) in gray foxes (n = 177; 34.7% of sample) than red foxes (n = 25; 16.6% of sample), and more common in male than female gray foxes (x ² = 3.88, df = 1,p < 0.05). Polydonty was very uncommon, as expected for species in which the normal dental complement is close to the primitive eutherian number. In both species, the most prevalent anomaly was loss of the last lower molar. Loss of the upper or lower first premolar was also common. Thus, oligodonty almost always involved the smaller anterior (P¹ and P₁) or posterior (M₃) teeth of the dental arcade. Conversely, the large carnassial teeth, with complex occlusal patterns and shearing surfaces, appeared to be highly conserved with only three anomalous individuals (0.4%) among all specimens.     

Dental anomalies and dental variations in the red foxVulpes vulpes in the Czech Republic

Dental abnormalities including polydonty, oligodonty, extra roots, different root morphotype, root fusion, different crown morphotype, crown reduction, partial crown eruption, supernumerary cusp, irregularities in the position of the teeth, and malocclusion were studied in a set of 785 red foxVulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) skulls (401 males, 273 females, and 111 individuals of unknown sex) from the Czech Republic. Three hundred sixty one cases of deviations from normal were found in 170 specimens (21.7%). Most of the deviations were variants within a genetically determined range. The prevalent dental variants included an extra root of M¹ (5.7% specimens), and different root morphotype of P₁ (1.9% specimens). On the other hand, the real dental anomalies, eg polydonty, occurred seldom within the population. P₁ ¹ and M₃ were missing significantly more frequently among females than among males unlike the other deviations, which were divided equally between the sexes. No differences were found between the left and right side of the jaw. Irregularities in the position of the teeth and oligodonty (excluding P¹ ₁, M₃) appeared significantly more abundantly on mandible, whereas extra roots and polydonty were more common on the maxilla. There was no relationship between the incidence of dental abnormalities and the relative mandible and rostrum length.     

Visitation of artificial watering points by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in semiarid Australia

The introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) now occupies most of the Australian continent outside the tropics, including arid and semiarid ecosystems. Information on the water requirements of foxes is scant, but free water is not thought to be required if adequate moisture‐containing food is available. The frequency and duration of visits by foxes fitted with GPS collars to known artificial watering points in semiarid Australia were recorded for 22 individual foxes across four austral seasons between October 2015 and November 2017, providing >93,000 location fixes. We modeled home range and the distance traveled by range‐resident foxes beyond their home range to reach known water sources. We used recurse analysis to determine the frequency of visitation and step‐selection functions to model the speed and directionality of movement inside and outside the home range. Our study demonstrates that some foxes in this semiarid environment utilize free‐standing water. The findings suggest that artificial watering points can be used as a focal point for conducting strategic fox control in arid and semiarid environments. Additionally, strategies that restrict access to water by foxes may reduce their duration of occupancy and/or long‐term abundance in parts of the landscape, thus providing benefits for conservation and agriculture.     

准噶尔盆地荒漠区赤狐的食性分析

<正>赤狐(Vulpes vulpes)隶属于哺乳纲、食肉目、犬科、狐属,广泛分布于欧亚大陆、非洲北部和北美大陆,在我国也广布各地(高耀亭等,1987;马世来等,2001)。国内外有关赤狐的研究主要集中在洞穴结构(Nakazono and Ono,1987;贾竞波和萧前柱,1990;贾竞波等,1991;贾竞波和马建章,1992;周文扬和魏万红,1995;张洪海等,1999)和巢域选择等方面(Nakazono and Ono,1987;周文扬和魏万红,1995;张洪海等,1999;Frey and Conover,2006;Keith et al.,2007),而针对赤狐食性的研究主要集中在森林草原或苔原环境,如瑞典(Elmhagen et al.,2002)、立陶宛(Laima,2002)及匈牙利(Lanszki et al.,2006,2007)等。     

四川西部石渠地区夏季藏狐巢穴选择的生境分析

通过对四川石渠地区夏季藏狐洞穴生境选择的研究 ,以水源距离、洞口朝向、坡向、坡度、坡位、植被类型及鼠兔和鼠类洞穴等 7项指标为变量 ,运用主成分分析和聚类分析相结合的方法对收集到的 5 4个藏狐洞穴样本进行了分析。主成分分析在 4个主成分下达到 85 %的显著性。在第一主成分中水源距离、坡度和坡位是重要的影响变量 ,在另外 3个主成分中鼠类洞穴数量以及植被类型两变量也非常重要。聚类分析显示 ,5 4个洞穴样本在 3个水平上聚成 5类。藏狐易于选择草甸地带 ,中缓坡和低坡位 ,坡向多为阳坡或半阳坡 ,水源距离小于5 0 0m的地方筑巢 ,其穴口朝向多位于 135°～ 36 0°之间。此外 ,鼠兔和鼠类洞穴在藏狐洞穴样方内的出现 ,但数量变异较大 ,揭示小型哺乳动物和藏狐之间可能存在着复杂的相互关系。通过对四川石渠地区夏季藏狐洞穴生境选择的研究 ,以水源距离、洞口朝向、坡向、坡度、坡位、植被类型及鼠兔和鼠类洞穴等 7项指标为变量 ,运用主成分分析和聚类分析相结合的方法对收集到的 5 4个藏狐洞穴样本进行了分析。主成分分析在 4个主成分下达到 85 %的显著性。在第一主成分中水源距离、坡度和坡位是重要的影响变量 ,在另外 3个主成分中鼠类洞穴数量以及植被类型两变量也非常重要。聚类分析显示 ,5 4     

Evolutionary and climatic factors affecting tooth size in the red foxVulpes vulpes in the Holarctic

Research into the geographical pattern of tooth size in the red fox,Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Holarctic was conducted on a sample of 3806 skulls belonging to 41 fox populations. The Nearctic was represented by 948 specimens (249 females, 359 males, 340 specimens of unknown sex) belonging to 13 populations, whereas the Palearctic was represented by 2858 red foxes (1034 females, 1256 males, 568 specimens of unknown sex) from 32 populations. In the Nearctic, the largest foxes live on Kodiak Island (V. v. harrimani) and the Kenai Peninsula (V. v. kenaiensis), while the smallest ones live in California (V. v. necator) and Georgia (V. v. fulvus). In the Palearctic, the largest foxes come from the Far East (V. v. jakutensis, V. v. beringiana, V. v. tobolica), while the smallest are from the southern borders of the Eurasian range (V. v. pusilla, V. v. barbara, V. v. arabica). In both the Palearctic and Nearctic, tooth size in the fox varies depending on the geo-climatic factors. The fox’s tooth size confirms the general basis of Bergmann’s rule. In the Palearctic, specimens with larger teeth occur in cooler habitats with greater seasonality. These are first and foremost Northern and Far Eastern populations. In the Nearctic, tooth size in red foxes depends on the temperature and humidity of their habitat. Competition within the species and between species has important impact on the variation and dimorphism of tooth size in the red fox. Both in the Nearctic and Palearctic, red foxes from regions of sympatric co-occurrence with other closely relatedVulpes species, are more sexually dimorphic in terms of tooth size than red foxes from allopatric regions. Analysis of morphological distance on the basis of the size of dental characteristics shows, that in the Palearctic, the foxes from India (V. v. pusilla), while in the Nearctic, the population from Kodiak Island (V. v. harrimani) are most distant from the remaining populations. Geographic barriers such as the Bering Strait, Parry Channel, Mackenzie River, Kolyma and Omolon River systems have had a critical impact on red fox evolution. The most likely place for the evolution and diversification of the phyletic lineVulpes vulpes seems to be the Middle East region.     

Habitat use and home range size of red foxes in Prince Edward Island (Canada) based on snow-tracking and radio-telemetry data

There is a lack of information regarding the ecology and behaviour of red foxes that can be used to elaborate effective management programs for this species on Prince Edward Island (Canada). The main goal of this study was to provide baseline information on habitat selection and home range size of red foxes on Prince Edward Island. Data were collected from snow-tracking and radio-telemetry sessions conducted in two study sites (including one site within Prince Edward Island National Park). Our results indicated that red foxes selected for roads and human-use areas during both the breeding and the kit-rearing seasons in the park. Outside the park, however, the data failed to conclusively show that foxes have a unique preference for human-use habitats or roads. Forests were selected against in both study sites. Although roads are frequently visited by foxes during the kit-rearing season in the park, each individual fox typically stays in this habitat only for short periods of time (< 15 min). This finding suggests that foraging efficiency along the roads is very high possibly reflecting the abundance of anthropogenic food sources. Overall, we present the largest amount of data on habitat selection ever collected for red foxes in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Our results show that food sources in human-use areas and roads are altering the selection and/or use of habitats of red foxes in some areas of Prince Edward Island.     

Annual dynamics of den use by red foxesVulpes vulpes and badgersMeles meles in central Poland

This study on den use by red foxesVulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) and badgersMeles meles (Linnaeus, 1758) was conducted in central Poland (51°48’N, 19°53’E) over two years. We found a strong negative correlation between monthly den utilisation rate by foxes and air temperature (r=−0.83,p=0.0001). Correlation between temperature and den use by badgers was positive but less distinct (r=0.40,p=0.036). During the whole study period, a negative correlation between the monthly intensity of den use by badgers and by foxes was found (r=−0.51,p=0.008). The seasonal pattern of den utilisation differed between the species. Foxes used the dens mainly in winter and spring whereas in summer and autumn the intensity of den utilisation sharply decreased to a minimum in August-September. A peak in den use by foxes was observed in March and coincided with rut and selection of future breeding dens. In badgers, two peaks in den use were observed: the first in April and the second in August-September. An individual badger used more dens and used them more evenly throughout the year than an individual fox. The same dens were visited by foxes and badgers mostly from January to April, with a maximum in March.     

Spatial and temporal habitat use and selection by red deer: The use of direct and indirect methods

Given the importance of red deer Cervus elaphus for hunting and conservation purposes, understanding the interactions between this species and its habitats in the Mediterranean region is a crucial step for the sustainable management of this species. Aiming to compare pellet group counts and direct observations methods to study the habitat use and selection by red deer, the results obtained by both methods were compared, and their advantages and disadvantages were discussed. To understand the temporal patterns of habitat use and selection, the survey was conducted at three different seasons, birth period, rut season and winter. The habitat use and selection were studied in relation to land cover, watercourse, roads, ecotone zones and other topographic features (altitude, slope and aspect), using generalized linear models and selection ratios. The similarity of the results provided by pellet group counts and direct observations indicate that both methods may constitute useful tools to study the habitat use and selection by red deer. Globally, red deer seemed to select habitats that provide simultaneously food and some cover, as shown by its preference for shrublands, independently of the sampling season. The positive selection of ecotone zones embodies the need for open spaces. Males and females showed a similar use of shrubland, but selected patches with different characteristics therein. The spatial and temporal patterns exhibited by our results suggest that red deer balance their habitat requirements in respect to each phase of their reproductive cycle. Pellet group counts and direct observations seem to be useful methods to analyze habitat use and selection, and may provide helpful knowledge to the management and conservation of red deer.     

Drastic increase in the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Bavaria, Germany

A survey on the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes was conducted in the administrative district of Starnberg (federal state of Bavaria, Germany) and some adjacent municipalities from October 2002 to March 2003. The background to the study was the scarcity of recent data for Bavaria, where, in contrast to neighbouring regions, a general increase in the prevalence of the parasite has not yet been demonstrated. To estimate the current infection rate, a total of 268 shot foxes were examined using the intestinal scraping technique, resulting in an overall prevalence of 51%. This was compared with retrospective data collected during the period from 1989 to 2001. For the corresponding area and season, the retrospective prevalence was estimated at 32%, based on 222 shot foxes. The prevalence and its temporal development differ considerably on small spatial scales. The most conspicuous change has taken place in the western part of the study area, where a previous prevalence of 35% has increased to 80% in 2002/2003.     

Age distribution,sex ratio and mortality of the red foxVulpes vulpes in Tochigi,central Japan: an estimation using a museum collection

One hundred and thirty carcasses of the red fox were collected in Tochigi Prefecture, by the Tochigi Prefectural Museum, from 1981 to 1991. The young/adult ratio of the sample was 1.60, which suggests that the hunting pressure has been relatively low in this area. Six percent of the animals were 5 years or older which compares to those taken in Hokkaido, but is higher than those in Europe and North America. The sex ratio for all specimens had a tendency towards male bias (0.587), but this bias was higher for the adult (0.605) than for the young (0.576). Among young (0 year-old) foxes, more individuals were killed on roads than by trapping or shooting (P<0.02, chisquare test). This mortality pattern was caused by high mortality of young males (P<0.02). The proportions of adults killed by the three mortality factors were similar, though only one of the 14 foxes older than 4 years old was shot, probably due to age-linked activity patterns. Most road-kills of young foxes occurred in May when juveniles began exploiting and in November when sub-adults began dispersal. The ratios of road-kills for the whole sample and for adults alone were 42% and 34%, respectively. These high rates of road-kills suggest that the mortality pattern in Tochigi has been affected by factors characteristic of urban environments.     

Habitat richness affects home range size in the red fox Vulpes vulpes

The spatial behaviour of the red fox Vulpes vulpes shows a great flexibility (Voigt and Macdonald, 1984). Home range size varies from 10 to over 5000 ha (Macdonald, 1987; Voigt, 1987). In carnivores, variations in home range size, weighed for body mass (Gittleman and Harvey, 1982), are largely related to differences in habitat productivity, but the intraspecific local variation in home range size can be only partially explained by differences in productivity. Macdonald (1981, 1983) suggested that home range size and configuration were determined in the red fox by the dispersion of food-rich patches. More recently, it has been found that

1.

(a) where humans are intolerant to the fox, resting sites are often located peripherally in home ranges (Meia and Weber, 1993);     

Numerical responses by populations of red fox and mountain hare during an outbreak of sarcoptic mange

Summary During a severe outbreak of sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei vulpes) starting among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Sweden in the 1970s, we studied: 1) the establishment and spread of the disease in northernmost Sweden (by inquiries), and 2) the 1970–84 bag records for foxes and mountain hares (Lepus timidus) (an alternative prey to the fox's main prey, voles). Since the first case of sarcoptic mange in 1975 the disease spread rapidly, with >50% of the hunting organizations having reported the disease in 1981 and >75% in 1983. Also the disease became more abundant within the areas affected. In areas with a low mange infection rate (index) the number of foxes killed in the 1980s did not deviate markedly from the average level in the 1970s. However, there was a slight tendency towards a decline in areas with a medium index and numbers declined markedly where the index was high. Hare harvests initially were low (after a tularemia epidemic) in the 1970s. In that decade harvests increased dramatically and stabilized, increased gradually or changed little, respectively, where mange infection rates were low, medium or high in the early 1980s. In areas with a low mange index hare harvests remained cyclical and at the same level in the 1980s as in most of the 1970s. However, in areas with a medium index harvests increased and seemed to begin to lose their cyclicity, and where the index was high the low and relatively stable hare harvests increased annually. A predator-prey hypothesis, assuming predators to synchronize alternative prey declines to those of the cyclic main prey, predicts that a predator reduction would cause a gradual disappearance of the cyclicity and increasing numbers among alternative prey. Our hare data are partially consistent with this prediction.     

Geography of sexual dimorphism in the tooth size of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (Mammalia, Carnivora)

Geographic variation in sexual dimorphism of tooth size was assessed for the red fox Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) across the whole northern range of the species. Twenty-one measurements of tooth size and skull length were taken from 2849 specimens (1577 males and 1272 females) originating from 12 Nearctic and 25 Palearctic localities. The index of sexual dimorphism was calculated as a quotient of the mean measure of certain characters in males by the respective mean in females ( M _m/ M _f). In the whole range, the males were larger than females and mean dimorphism index of tooth size ranged from 1.01 to 1.06. On average, the tooth measurements in males were 3.6% larger than in females. The highest dimorphism was observed in the canines. Dimorphism of tooth size was higher in the Palearctic than Nearctic. Statistically significant differences between regions were found for lengths of C¹, C₁ and M₁. In the Palearctic, higher values of the dimorphism indices were observed particularly in the southern parts of the Eurasian range of the red fox and in Great Britain. For a few metrical traits, sexual dimorphism indices presented significant relations to some geo-climatic variables. The geographic pattern of size dimorphism in the red fox seems to be shaped by sexual selection, intraspecific and interspecific competition and population density.