Density estimation and survey validation for swift fox <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes velox</Emphasis> in Oklahoma |
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| Authors: | Marc A Criffield Eric C Hellgren David M Leslie |
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| Institution: | (1) Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre, Trent University, 1600 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, Canada, K9J 7B8;(2) Western Canada Service Centre, Parks Canada, 145 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3B 0R9;(3) Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 303-70 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3T 2N2;(4) Ontario Parks, 435 James Street South, Suite 221d, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, P7E 6S8 |
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| Abstract: | The swift fox Vulpes velox Say, 1823, a small canid native to shortgrass prairie ecosystems of North America, has been the subject of enhanced conservation
and research interest because of restricted distribution and low densities. Previous studies have described distributions
of the species in the southern Great Plains, but data on density are required to evaluate indices of relative abundance and
monitor population trends. We examined regressions of swift fox density (estimated by mark-recapture) on timed-track surveys,
scat surveys, and catch-per-unit effort indices. Seventy-nine swift foxes (42 male, 37 female) were captured 151 times during
10 240 trapnights between May 2003 and December 2004 in the Panhandle of Oklahoma, USA. Density estimates, based on mark-recapture
data from autumn 2004, were 0.08–0.44 foxes/km2. Survey indices explained 51 to 76% of the variation in estimates of fox density. Our study indicates that surveys of time-to-track
encounters and scat deposition rates show promise in monitoring trends in population abundance over large areas. |
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