An evaluation of two indices of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) abundance in an arid environment

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Sharp ◽  
Melinda Norton ◽  
Adam Marks ◽  
Kerry Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Statistical Detection ◽  
Two Indices ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Suitable Measure

The suitability of spotlight counts to index red fox abundance was assessed in an arid environment through a comparison with a scat deposition index (active attractant). In most cases there was a high degree of correlation between the two indices, suggesting that the spotlight counts were accurately documenting fluctuations in population size. However, the precision of the spotlight index was often low (c.v. = 0.07–0.46), suggesting that the technique may not allow the statistical detection of small changes in abundance. During periods when there was an influx of new individuals into the population, the seasonal scat index displayed a three-month time lag in documenting abundance while foxes accustomed themselves to the presence of the regular food supply. The level of precision of the scat index was also found to be relatively low (c.v. = 0.21–0.48). Nevertheless, further refinements of this technique may produce a suitable measure of fox abundance.

scholarly journals Adaptations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) to urban environments in Sydney, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Gil-Fernández ◽  
Robert Harcourt ◽  
Thomas Newsome ◽  
Alison Towerton ◽  
Alexandra Carthey
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Sydney Australia ◽  
Site Types

Abstract With urban encroachment on wild landscapes accelerating globally, there is an urgent need to understand how wildlife is adapting to anthropogenic change. We compared the behaviour of the invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at eight urban and eight peri-urban areas of Sydney, Australia. We observed fox behaviour around a lure and compared fox activity patterns to those of potential prey and to two domestic predators (dogs—Canis lupus familiaris and cats—Felis catus). We assessed the influence of site type, vegetation cover, and distance from habitation on fox behaviour, and compared the temporal activity patterns of urban and peri-urban red foxes. Urban red foxes were marginally more nocturnal than those in peri-urban areas (88% activity overlap). There was greater overlap of red fox activity patterns with introduced mammalian prey in urban areas compared with peri-urban areas (90% urban vs 84% peri-urban). Red fox temporal activity overlapped 78% with cats, but only 20% with dogs, across both site types. The high degree of overlap with cats and introduced mammalian prey is most likely explained by the nocturnal behaviour of these species, while pet dogs are generally kept in yards or indoors at night. The behavioural differences we documented by urban red foxes suggest they may adapt to human modifications and presence, by being more nocturnal and/or more confident in urban areas.

Bait palatability influences the caching behaviour of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Marjolein van Polanen Petel ◽  
Clive A. Marks ◽  
David G. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Beef Liver ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Influence Of Food ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
High Degree

In a free-choice experiment conducted in a series of pen trials, the influence of food preference on caching behaviour by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was investigated for three unpoisoned bait types: deep-fried beef liver (DFL), dried deep-fried beef liver (DDFL) and a commercial bait (Foxoff®). Although some variation in individual preferences for the DDFL and Foxoff was observed, all of the foxes in the pen trials preferred the DFL (P < 0.01) and all cached it least often (P < 0.01). Field trials then compared the uptake, consumption and incidence of caching for the most preferred (DFL) and least preferred (Foxoff) bait types. Radio-transmitters were inserted into unpoisoned Foxoff and DFL baits and a free choice of either was provided at bait stations at three independent sites. A clock module recorded the precise time that each bait was taken from the bait station. The fate of each bait (it could either be eaten, cached or remain in situ) was recorded daily and baits were replaced for five consecutive nights. There was no difference in the rate of uptake for the two baits (P > 0.05) and, despite some variation between the sites, DFL was the most often eaten (P < 0.001) and Foxoff the most often cached (P < 0.001). These data strongly suggest that a highly palatable bait will increase the likelihood of rapid consumption of baits and reduce the incidence of caching. This is likely to increase the cost-effectiveness of baiting and limit the potential for nontarget impacts due to the movement of baits. The high degree of concordance between the results of the pen and field trials suggests that pen trials can assist in the development of more effective bait types. However, conclusions about the relative efficacy of bait types drawn from the results of baiting programs that measure only bait uptake are unlikely to be reliable.

Primary osteoblast culture from red fox (Vulpes Vulpes)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Pedro Perpetuo ◽  
Alessandro Felder ◽  
Andrew Pitsillides ◽  
Michael Doube ◽  
Isabel Orriss
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Primary Osteoblast ◽  
Osteoblast Culture

Diet of the introduced red fox Vulpes vulpes in Australia: analysis of temporal and spatial patterns

Mammal Review ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Fleming ◽  
Heather M. Crawford ◽  
Alyson M. Stobo‐Wilson ◽  
Stuart J. Dawson ◽  
Christopher R. Dickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Patterns ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ) as an Accumulator of Bones in Cave-like Environments

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Krajcarz ◽  
Maciej Tomasz Krajcarz
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox

Home Range Defense in the Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes L.

1975 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Preston
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox

Variation in fur farm and wild populations of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Carnivora: Canidae) — Part I: Morphometry

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zatoń-Dobrowolska ◽  
Magdalena Moska ◽  
Anna Mucha ◽  
Heliodor Wierzbicki ◽  
Piotr Przysiecki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Selective Breeding ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Ear Height ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The Right ◽  
Almost All

This paper demonstrates the influence of artificial selection on morphometric traits in the red fox [Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)]. Measurements and two proportion coefficients were analysed in 132 wild and 199 farm red foxes. The two groups differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) on all but one of the measurements. Eight out of 11 measurements were significantly greater in the farm fox population, while only tail length, ear height, and length of the right hind limb were greater in the population of wild foxes. The opposite trend was observed when analysing variation in the measurements — the farm foxes were characterized by a greater variability only in the case of body weight, body length, and breadth of chest. When analysing the sexual dimorphism index in different sex and population groups, in almost all analysed traits, the greatest differences occurred between farm males and wild females. All of the traits examined in this study are important for survival of wild foxes. However, because importance of some traits was reduced during domestication and selective breeding (farm foxes do not have to fight for survival), the genetic relationship between them may have weakened. Other possible causes of morphological differences between the studied groups of red foxes are discussed as well.

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