Northern nomads: ability for extensive movements in adult arctic foxes |
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Authors: | Arnaud Tarroux Dominique Berteaux Joël Bêty |
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Institution: | 1. Chaire de recherche du Canada en conservation des écosystèmes nordiques et Centre d’études nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC, G5L 3A1, Canada
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Abstract: | In July 2008 we outfitted reproductively active adult arctic foxes with satellite tracking collars on Bylot Island, Nunavut,
Canada and recorded their movements over a complete annual cycle. We present the tracking data from two individuals, one female
and one male, who traveled extensively from February to July 2009, covering minimum distances of 4,599 and 2,193 km, respectively.
We recorded high and sustained travel rates on both land and sea ice that reached 90 km/day for the female and 88 km/day for
the male. Our data confirm that arctic foxes can move extensively and demonstrate sustained travel rates that are 1.5 times
those previously measured for the species. Our study is the first presenting detailed year-round satellite tracking of adult
arctic foxes and has implications for our understanding of navigational abilities, foraging ecology, trophic interactions
with lemming populations, and genetic population structure of arctic foxes. |
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