scholarly journals Winter movement behavior by swift foxes (Vulpes velox) at the northern edge of their range

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 922-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Butler ◽  
Kristy L.S. Bly ◽  
Heather Harris ◽  
Robert M. Inman ◽  
Axel Moehrenschlager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Season ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Topographic Roughness ◽  
Prey Resources ◽  
Northern Edge ◽  
Time Of Year

Winter can be a limiting time of year for many temperate species, who must access depressed prey resources to meet energetic demands. The swift fox (Vulpes velox (Say, 1823)) was extirpated from Canada and Montana (USA) by 1969, but was reintroduced in the 1980s to Canada, and subsequently spread into northern Montana. Swift foxes in this region are at the current northern range edge where winter conditions are harsher and persist longer than in their southern range (i.e., Colorado (USA) to Texas (USA)). We collected fine-scale locational data from swift foxes fitted with global positioning system collars to examine movement and resource-use patterns during winter of 2016–2017 in northeastern Montana. Our results suggest that swift foxes displayed three distinct movement patterns (i.e., resting, foraging, and travelling) during the winter. Distance to road decreased relative probability of use by 39%–46% per kilometre across all movement states and individuals, whereas the influence of topographic roughness and distance to crop field varied among movement states and individuals. Overall, while our findings are based on data from three individuals, our study suggests that across movement states during the critical winter season, swift foxes are likely using topography and areas near roads to increase their ability to detect predators.

scholarly journals Swift Fox, Vulpes velox, Den Use Patterns in Northwestern Texas

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Brady K. McGee ◽  
Warren B. Ballard ◽  
Kerry L. Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Canis Latrans ◽  
Annual Number ◽  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Den Use

Predator avoidance may be a reason why Swift Foxes (Vulpes velox) are one of the most burrow-dependent canids in North America. Typically Swift Foxes have multiple dens, which they frequently move among. As part of a larger study to reduce Coyote (Canis latrans) related mortalities on Swift Foxes, we installed artificial escape dens in areas occupied by Swift Foxes on Rita Blanca National Grassland, Dallam County, Texas. For this paper, our objective was to determine the effects of artificial escape dens on Swift Fox den use patterns. From January 2002 to August 2004 we captured, radio-collared, and monitored 55 Swift Foxes. We documented annual number of dens used, rate of den use (fidelity), distance between dens, den area, and den sharing. We compared treated (artificial dens installed) and untreated (no artificial dens) areas but found no differences in annual number of dens (P = 0.64; mean = 8), rate of den use (P = 0.96; mean = 35%), mean distance between dens (P = 0.99; mean = 2,311 m), den area (P = 0.55; mean = 5.72 km2), or den sharing (P = 0.46; mean = 42% of time). We did not observe an effect of artificial escape dens on Swift Fox den use patterns probably because artificial escape dens were designed for temporary escape cover rather than diurnal den use.

Low prevalence of the parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha at the range edge of the eastern North American monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Dargent ◽  
Sydney M Gilmour ◽  
Emma A Brown ◽  
Rees Kassen ◽  
Heather M Kharouba
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Range Limits ◽  
North American Population ◽  
Ophryocystis Elektroscirrha ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Northern Edge ◽  
Butterfly Population

Every year monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus Linnaeus, 1758) from the eastern North American population migrate from Mexico to Southern Canada in the spring. This northward migration has been shown to reduce monarch infection with the host-specific parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) (McLaughlin and Myers, 1970); yet, the prevalence of OE at their range limits, and the mechanism(s) responsible, is unknown. We assessed OE infection levels of monarchs at the northern edge of the eastern population distribution around Ottawa, Canada, and found extremely low levels of infection (~1% with upper confidence intervals close to 3%). Low OE infection levels are likely due to low densities of monarchs in this region and/or migratory escape effects, where migrating individuals leave behind areas with high density of conspecifics and high potential for parasite accumulation and transmission. Future work should aim to disentangle the relative contribution of these two mechanisms for governing the decrease in parasitism at the range limits of migratory populations.

scholarly journals Habitat Use by Nuttall’s Cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii nuttallii) at their Northern Range Edge (British Columbia, Canada)

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140
Author(s):  
Emily J. Herdman ◽  
Karen E. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Sagebrush Steppe ◽  
Fragmented Habitats ◽  
Native Habitat ◽  
Range Edge ◽  
Shrub Steppe ◽  
Northern Edge

in Canada, Nuttall’s Cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii nuttallii) occur in southcentral British Columbia (BC), where they are federally listed as a species of special Concern due to their presumed small populations and limited distribution in fragmented habitats. Their habitat use and movement patterns are poorly known at this northern edge of their distribution. We used livetrapping, radio-collaring, and fecal pellet surveys to examine Nuttall’s Cottontails’ use of remaining patches of native habitat as well as use of human-impacted areas. Cottontails were present in low densities and only about half of presumably suitable patches of native sagebrush-steppe were occupied. Cottontails were more likely to occur in shrubby habitat, but at a fine scale cottontails used areas that had a lower density of shrubs and finer substrates. movement patterns differed significantly between areas of varying habitat quality, with longer movements in natural habitat. one radio-collared male cottontail used anthropogenic habitats adjacent to native habitat; this use corresponds with landowner reports. However, it is not clear whether Nuttall’s Cottontails are able to use anthropogenically-impacted areas to maintain populations or in areas where such habitats are not near native habitats. our results suggest that these animals are rare and occur primarily in remnant patches of shrub-steppe within BC.

Distribution of the Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) in Texas

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donelle L. Schwalm ◽  
Warren B. Ballard ◽  
Ernest B. Fish ◽  
Heather A. Whitlaw
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox

Swift fox (Vulpes velox) home-range dispersion patterns in southeastern Wyoming

2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (11) ◽  
pp. 2024-2029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis L Olson ◽  
Frederick G Lindzey
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox ◽  
Dispersion Patterns ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Grassland Habitats

We monitored dispersion patterns of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) for 3 years in shrub-grassland habitats on the margin of the species' geographic range near Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Annual home-range size was 18.6 ± 1.6 km2 (mean ± SE, n = 13) and was similar to home-range estimates reported in other studies conducted within grassland habitats in other portions of the species' geographic range. Male home ranges were larger than those of their mates during pup-rearing periods (P < 0.04) but were similar in size during the dispersal period. The home ranges of both sexes were smallest during the pup-rearing period. The degree of home-range overlap for mates (biological periods combined) was high (range = 27.4–100%, mean ± SE = 70.8 ± 0.03%, n = 26 pairs) but was minimal between adjacent pairs (range = 0.2–36%, mean ± SE = 11.9 ± 2.4%, n = 10 pairs), suggesting territorial behavior. Occupied home ranges were distributed similarly each year despite one or both pair members often being new. Swift fox home-range size varied seasonally, and home-range dispersion patterns appeared to be influenced by the presence of other fox pairs and the recent use of an area by other swift foxes.

Using infrared cameras and skunk lure to monitor swift fox (Vulpes velox)

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marty R. Stratman ◽  
Jerry A. Apker
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox ◽  
Infrared Cameras

SMALL INTESTINAL ADENOCARCINOMA WITH CARCINOMATOSIS IN A SWIFT FOX (VULPES VELOX)

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 596-600
Author(s):  
Shambhunath Choudhary ◽  
Gordon A. Andrews ◽  
James W. Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox ◽  
Small Intestinal ◽  
Small Intestinal Adenocarcinoma

A Recent Record of the Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) in Montana

1980 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Moore ◽  
N. S. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox

scholarly journals Field surveys can improve predictions of habitat suitability for reintroductions: a swift fox case study

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Zoe Paraskevopoulou ◽  
Hila Shamon ◽  
Melissa Songer ◽  
Graeme Ruxton ◽  
William J. McShea
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Vulpes Velox ◽  
Swift Fox

Abstract Reintroductions are challenging, and success rates are low despite extensive planning and considerable investment of resources. Improving predictive models for reintroduction planning is critical for achieving successful outcomes. The IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations recommend that habitat suitability assessments account for abiotic and biotic factors specific to the species to be reintroduced and, where needed, include habitat quality variables. However, habitat assessments are often based on remotely-sensed or existing geographical data that do not always reliably represent habitat quality variables. We tested the contribution of ground-based habitat quality metrics to habitat suitability models using a case study of the swift fox Vulpes velox, a mesocarnivore species for which a reintroduction is planned. Field surveys for habitat quality included collection of data on the main threat to the swift fox (the coyote Canis latrans), and for swift fox prey species. Our findings demonstrated that the inclusion of habitat quality variables derived from field surveys yielded better fitted models and a 16% increase in estimates of suitable habitat. Models including field survey data and models based only on interpolated geographical and remotely-sensed data had little overlap (38%), demonstrating the significant impact that different models can have in determining appropriate locations for a reintroduction. We advocate that ground-based habitat metrics be included in habitat suitability assessments for reintroductions of mesocarnivores.

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