DNA genotypes reveal red fox (Vulpes vulpes) abundance, response to lethal control and limitations of contemporary survey techniques

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive A. Marks ◽  
Frank Gigliotti ◽  
Steve McPhee ◽  
Maxine P. Piggott ◽  
Andrea Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Field Methods ◽  
Survey Techniques ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Dna Sampling ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Population Indices ◽  
Bait Stations

Context. Scat genotyping has not been routinely used to measure fox (Vulpes vulpes) abundance and our study sought to provide a benchmark for further technique development and assessment of field methods. Aims. This study sought to provide a comparative assessment of some common methods used to determine fox density and contrast their success with scat DNA genotyping. Methods. DNA recovered from fox scats was used to genotype individual red foxes and determine their abundance at four transects. Population indices were also developed from bait take, scat counts and sand plot tracks using index-manipulation-index (IMI) procedures on the same transects. Known samples of foxes were taken from two treatment transects using cyanide delivered in the M-44 ejector to manipulate the population and to recover foxes at the end of the trial. Key results. Replicated counts on a 41-km-spotlight transect at the field site before and after the population manipulation had low variance and good correlation (r2 = 0.79, P < 0.01). Scat genotypes revealed 54 foxes in eight days and, when combined with biopsy DNA from recovered foxes, a minimum known to be alive (KTBA) density of between 1.6 and 5 foxes km–1 was calculated for the transects. Overall, 15/30 (50%) of all recovered foxes had not been detected by scat genotyping, 23/53 (49%) of KTBA genotypes were detected only once and 5/54 (9.5%) of foxes were found to have moved between two transects. Conclusions. At transects where population manipulation occurred, surviving individuals contributed significantly more scats than at the control transects and some individuals were detected at bait stations at a much greater frequency. This strongly suggested that they had contributed disproportionately to some IMI density estimates that were probably influenced by a change in the activity of some individuals rather than changes in population density alone. At one transect, eight foxes were confirmed to be present by spotlight surveys and were detected by scat and KTBA genotypes, yet were undetected by scat, bait station and sand plot indices. Implications. Scat and other DNA-based survey techniques provide a great deal of information about the identification and movement of individuals and if DNA sampling methods can be made more efficient they have the potential to provide accurate abundance estimates that are independent of the control technique.

Comparison of methods to detect rare and cryptic species: a case study using the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 436 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Vine ◽  
M. S. Crowther ◽  
S. J. Lapidge ◽  
C. R. Dickman ◽  
N. Mooney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Hair Follicles ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Bait Stations

Choosing the appropriate method to detect and monitor wildlife species is difficult if the species is rare or cryptic in appearance or behaviour. We evaluated the effectiveness of the following four methods for detecting red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on the basis of equivalent person hours in a rural landscape in temperate Australia: camera traps, hair traps (using morphology and DNA from hair follicles), scats from bait stations (using DNA derived from the scats) and spotlighting. We also evaluated whether individual foxes could be identified using remote collection of their tissues. Genetic analysis of hair samples was the least efficient method of detection among the methods employed because of the paucity of samples obtained and the lack of follicles on sampled hairs. Scat detection was somewhat more efficient. Scats were deposited at 17% of bait stations and 80% of scats were amplified with a fox-specific marker, although only 31% of confirmed fox scats could be fully genotyped at all six microsatellite loci. Camera trapping and spotlighting were the most efficient methods of detecting fox presence in the landscape. Spotlighting success varied seasonally, with fox detections peaking in autumn (80% of spotlighting transects) and being lowest in winter (29% of transects). Cameras detected foxes at 51% of stations; however, there was limited seasonality in detection, and success rates varied with camera design. Log-linear models confirmed these trends. Our results showed that the appropriate technique for detecting foxes varies depending on the time of the year. It is suggested that wildlife managers should consider both seasonal effects and species biology when attempting to detect rare or elusive species.

Ground-Placed Baits for the Control of Wild Dogs: Evaluation of a Replacement-Baiting Strategy in North-Eastern New South Wales.

1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 729 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJS Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
New South ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Abundance Indices ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Minimum Numbers ◽  
Wild Dogs

Abundance indices for wild dogs (Canis familiaris familiaris and C. familiaris dingo) were calculated from their visitation to stations containing non-toxic baits before and after a replacement-baiting programme (conducted in January-February 1993). The programme, where 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate)-impregnated baits removed by target animals were replaced each day, achieved a mean reduction of 76.1% in the index of dog abundance. The replacement-baiting strategy removed all resident animals that would accept baits and the probable reductions in the populations of dogs were greater than the reductions reported in previous studies. The indices of the abundance of sympatric red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were also reduced (90.8%) by the replacement-baiting programme. Minimum numbers of dogs and foxes using roads and tracks in the study area were estimated by index-manipulation-index methodology. The risk of this replacement-baiting programme to populations of non-target animals was insubstantial. The effects of the manipulation of canid populations on the management of populations of non-target animals are discussed.

Spatial and behavioral changes by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in response to artificial territory intrusion

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 808-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Arnold ◽  
C.D. Soulsbury ◽  
S. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Territory Size ◽  
Dominant Male ◽  
Scent Marks ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Marked Area

Urine marking is thought to play a pivotal role in territory demarcation by red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)), but little is known about how individuals respond to alien scent marks, and whether there are sex-related differences in territorial defense. We radio-tracked dominant male and female urban foxes before and after synthetic fox urine was applied to approximately a third of their territories and compared spatial and behavioral reactions both before and after scent application and with foxes on territories where no urine was applied. Home-range boundaries of male foxes shifted towards the scent-marked area, but this change did not affect the total territory size. Larger males shifted their home ranges to a greater degree than small males. Scent application did not affect total activity, but males spent more time in the scent-marked area. Behaviors such as distance moved per night and speed of movement did not differ before and after application, but foxes searched a greater percentage of their home range each night following scent marking. Females showed no significant spatial or behavioral response to the synthetic scent marks. Overall, responses of foxes to synthetic scent marks were male-biased and related to changes in space use rather than movement behaviors.

Modified M-44 cyanide ejector for the baiting of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Busana ◽  
F. Gigliotti ◽  
C. A. Marks
Keyword(s):  
Delivery System ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Sodium Cyanide ◽  
The Other ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Brief Assessment ◽  
Bait Stations

Fox carcasses are seldom recovered after a 1080-baiting program, making analysis of efficacy difficult. Sodium cyanide was selected as an alternative toxin due to its rapid mode of action. A number of bait techniques were trialled in order to develop an appropriate cyanide delivery system that could be used as a buried bait. Techniques investigated included treated wax and gelatine capsules, a wooden capsule holder and a modified M-44 cyanide ejector. Subsequent trials showed that the modified M-44 ejector had greater efficacy in recovering fox carcasses at bait stations when compared with the other techniques trialled. This paper describes the range of baits trialled and the modifications that allow the M-44 to be used as a buried bait. A protocol for deployment of the M-44 in the field, together with a brief assessment of efficacy for each technique is also provided.

scholarly journals The effect of COVID19 pandemic restrictions on an urban rodent population

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez ◽  
Michael P. Ward ◽  
Max Loomes ◽  
Iain S. McGregor ◽  
Mathew S. Crowther
Keyword(s):  
Binary Data ◽  
Sampling Interval ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Directional Change ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Bait Stations ◽  
Rodent Populations ◽  
The City

AbstractShortly after the enactment of restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19, various local government and public health authorities around the world reported an increased sighting of rats. Such reports have yet to be empirically validated. Here we combined data from multi-catch rodent stations (providing data on rodent captures), rodent bait stations (providing data on rodent activity) and residents’ complaints to explore the effects of a six week lockdown period on rodent populations within the City of Sydney, Australia. The sampling interval encompassed October 2019 to July 2020 with lockdown defined as the interval from April 1st to May 15th, 2020. Rodent captures and activity (visits to bait stations) were stable prior to lockdown. Captures showed a rapid increase and then decline during the lockdown, while rodent visits to bait stations declined throughout this period. There were no changes in the frequency of complaints during lockdown relative to before and after lockdown. There was a non-directional change in the geographical distribution of indices of rodent abundance suggesting that rodents redistributed in response to resource scarcity. We hypothesize that lockdown measures initially resulted in increased rodent captures due to sudden shortage of human-derived food resources. Rodent visits to bait stations might not show this pattern due to the nature of the binary data collected, namely the presence or absence of a visit. Relocation of bait stations driven by pest management goals may also have affected the detection of any directional spatial effect. We conclude that the onset of COVID-19 may have disrupted commensal rodent populations, with possible implications for the future management of these ubiquitous urban indicator species.

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.

scholarly journals Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with Cerebral Involvement Found in Portugal

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 531-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Matos ◽  
Luis Figueira ◽  
Maria H. Martins ◽  
Manuela Matos ◽  
Márcia Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterium Bovis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Cerebral Involvement

The diet of red foxes, Vulpes vulpes L., in Victoria

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Coman
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Over Time

Stomach contents were examined for 1229 foxes collected in Victoria during 1968-70. Of these, 967 stomachs contained measurable quantities of food. The fox appears to have a very wide dietary range but is predominantly carnivorous. The main food items encountered were rabbits, sheep carrion, and mice. Lesser amounts of native mammals, birds, cold-blooded vertebrates, invertebrates, and plant material were encountered. For many foods, particularly insects, the intake was markedly seasonal. Regional differences in diet were also apparent. Much of the variation in intake of particular foods over time and between regions was explicable in terms of changing availabilities of these foods.

scholarly journals Mesocarnivores and macroparasites: altitude and land use predict the ticks occurring on red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila D. Sándor ◽  
Gianluca D’Amico ◽  
Călin M. Gherman ◽  
Mirabela O. Dumitrache ◽  
Cristian Domșa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Foxes

scholarly journals Four structural variants associated with human‐directed sociability in dogs are not found in tame red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes )

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estelle R. Bastounes ◽  
Halie M. Rando ◽  
Jennifer L. Johnson ◽  
Lyudmila N. Trut ◽  
Benjamin N. Sacks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Structural Variants ◽  
Red Foxes
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