A statistical analysis of the relationship between red fox Vulpes vulpes and its prey species (grey partridge Perdix perdix, brown hare Lepus europaeus and rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Western Germany from 1958 to 1998

Recently, hunting has represented a major source of mortality in game animals, including red fox, Vulpes vulpes, populations. Data from hunting studies have been used to explain evolutionary changes (body size, dental structure) in fox populations; however, knowledge of potential sources of bias in these kinds of data is lacking. Moreover, nature and game managers as well as conservationists have recently been seeking methods to limit European fox populations, which are increasing. In the present study in Polish farmland, we show that three different hunting methods (individual – lying in wait, with dogs at dens, with beating undergrowth to flush out foxes) resulted in differences in the age, sex ratio and body size of shot foxes. Taking account of seasonal differences in hunting methods used, shooting assisted by beating gave a higher proportion of male foxes, whereas individual hunting resulted in smaller foxes in shot samples. Hunting with dogs resulted in heavier female foxes, with the results being skewed towards females. Thus, this method may help limit the breeding capacity of a population and is recommended to assist in the control of red fox populations, at least in farmland areas.

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In Vitro Study and Comparison of Caecal Methanogenesis and Fermentation Pattern in the Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) and Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0117117 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e0117117 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Dorota Miśta ◽

Bożena Króliczewska ◽

Milan Marounek ◽

Ewa Pecka ◽

Wojciech Zawadzki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

In Vitro Study ◽

Vitro Study ◽

Lepus Europaeus ◽

Brown Hare ◽

Domestic Rabbit ◽

Fermentation Pattern

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The diet of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in south-eastern Australia and the potential effects of rabbit haemorrhagic disease

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr02070 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 13 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Glen Saunders ◽

Mani Berghout ◽

Barry Kay ◽

Barbara Triggs ◽

Remy van de Ven ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Prey Species ◽

Dietary Shift ◽

Food Items ◽

Environmental Event ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽

Before And After ◽

Haemorrhagic Disease

Prior to the spread of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) across Australian, concern was expressed that foxes (Vulpes vulpes) would prey more heavily on native wildlife and livestock should the disease cause dramatic reductions in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) numbers. In this study we compared the incidence of food items in the stomachs of 240 foxes and 269 foxes collected before and after the arrival of RHD respectively. No dramatic RHD-induced differences in fox diet were detected in this study. It appeared that one widespread environmental event (drought), was closely followed by another (RHD), which may have masked any change in reliance on rabbit or dietary shift to other prey species.

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Hares and rabbits (Leporidae) in collection of the Šariš Museum, Bardejov (Slovakia)

Theriologia Ukrainica ◽

10.15407/tu1907 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 (19) ◽

pp. 60-65

Author(s):

Alexander Csanády ◽

Keyword(s):

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Pannonian Basin ◽

Lepus Europaeus ◽

Wild Rabbit ◽

Brown Hare ◽

Mammal Species ◽

North Eastern ◽

Total Data ◽

Time Capsule ◽

History Department

The Natural History Department of the Šariš Museum, Bardejov, Slovakia, was established in 1956 by PhMr. Tibor Weisz. The mammal collection consists of more than 5 000 specimens of 67 mammal species of the Slovakian fauna. The museum mostly represents the fauna of north-eastern Slovakia, i.e. the transition area between the Eastern and Western Carpathians and adjacent to the northernmost part of the Pannonian Basin. In the paper, data are presented on hare and rabbit specimens deposited in the collection of the Šariš Museum in Bardejov (SMB), Slovakia. In total, data were evaluated on 27 specimens of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) from twelve sites of Slovakia (n = 19), one site of Czech Silesia (n = 1), and from unknow localities (n = 7). Individuals were acquired in 1958–1971, but mainly in 1965–1966 (n = 19, 70.4 %). Among them, one specimen had signs of „albinism“ and was collected from Zlaté village. The collection also includes a skull of a brown hare with anomalous dentition. Similarly, two skulls of the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) obtained from the Danish preparator N. H. Gustaffson were evaluated. Three rabit specimens were also found in the collection, including two skulls of the wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and a skin-mount and skull of a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus forma domestica). The collection contains 20 adult specimens (15 males and 5 females) with body size values recorded in the protocol cards. Mammalogical collections in the Šariš Museum in Bardejov represent an outstanding scientific time capsule. All stored specimens in this particular and other similar collections, including those in local museums, will largely be needed and used as datasets by ecologists and conservationists in the future. It is necesary to preserve the collections, to computerise and digitise their inventories and the wealth of information they represent. At present, most of these data are not accessible electronically or online. Therefore, such collections, including that in Bardejov, must be sustained for a long term, which will require increased funding for their physical and scientific preservation.

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Phylogenetic status and diet of red fox (Vulpes vulpes griffithii) inhabiting Ayubia National Park, Pakistan

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.252991 ◽

2024 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

Author(s):

I. Rafaqat ◽

T. Mahmood ◽

L. M. Hennelly ◽

F. Akrim ◽

I. Uz-Zaman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

National Park ◽

Prey Species ◽

Red Fox ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Ovis Aries ◽

Maternal Lineage ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽

Phylogenetic Status

Abstract The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a medium-sized carnivore that occurs in different regions of Pakistan, however, still lacks scientific data on its ecology and distribution. The current study investigated the phylogenetic status and diet of the red fox (V.v. griffithii) occurring in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Through camera trapping and molecular analysis, we confirmed the occurrence of red fox in the study area. Based on mitochondrial cytochrome B (304 bp) and limited sampling, nearly all red foxes of Ayubia National Park and surrounding Himalayan ranges fall within Holarctic maternal lineage, whereas red foxes found in plains of Pakistan are part of the basal Palearctic maternal lineage. Using 32 scats, we found that red fox diet comprises of 80% animal-based prey species (both wild and domestic) and 19% plant matter. The wild animal prey species included Cape hare (Lepus capensis) and flying squirrel (Pteromyini sp.), which constituted 17% and 15% of diet, respectively. Red foxes infrequently consumed House mouse (Mus musculus), Himalayan Palm civet (Paguma larvata) and sheep (Ovis aries), each comprising around 6% to 9% of red fox diet. The fox species also scavenged on domestic donkey opportunistically. Based on our sampling, our study suggests that the red fox (V.v. griffithii) that occurs in Ayubia National Park and across the lesser Himalayan ranges belongs to Holarctic maternal lineage. The study also highlights consumption of plant seeds by red foxes, indicating it may play an important ecological role in seed dispersal in Ayubia National Park.

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Sphaeroceridae (Diptera) in burrows of rabbit and fox in central Bohemia (Czech Republic), with description of a new species of Minilimosina Roháček

Entomologica Fennica ◽

10.33338/ef.84085 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 97-113

Author(s):

Jindřich Roháček

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Red Fox ◽

Similarity Index ◽

European Rabbit ◽

Habitat Association ◽

Mammal Species ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

A New Species

The communities of Sphaeroceridae in burrows of European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus and Red Fox Vulpes vulpes in central Bohemia (the Czech Republic) are described including number, dominance and constancy of species and compared by means of a similarity index. A total of 17 species were recorded from burrows of rabbit and 9 from those of fox. Spelobia talparum (Richards, 1927) and S. pseudonivalis (Dahl, 1909) are considered pholeobiont (= eucoenic) and Spelobia czizeki (Duda, 1918) pholeophilous to pholeobiont species in this habitat. Comparison of these two communities with those recorded from other mammal subterraneous habitats in Europe revealed that most similar are those from the same locality irrespective of the host mammal species or the size of the burrow. The species spectrum of European Sphaeroceridae recorded from mammal burrows is reviewed and discussed. Minilimosina (Minilimosina) speluncana sp. n. is described on males found in rabbit burrow and its relationship and habitat association are discussed.

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The distribution of lagomorph syphilis caused by Treponema paraluisleporidarum in Europe

European Journal of Wildlife Research ◽

10.1007/s10344-021-01535-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Linda Hisgen ◽

Lena Abel ◽

Luisa Hallmaier-Wacker ◽

Simone Lüert ◽

Antonio Lavazza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Lepus Europaeus ◽

Brown Hare ◽

Serum Samples ◽

European Brown Hare ◽

Antibody Absorption ◽

European Rabbits ◽

Domestic Rabbits

AbstractTreponema paraluisleporidarum infects both rabbits (ecovar Cuniculus) and hares (ecovar Lepus). While the occurrence of the bacterium has previously been reported for European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica), there are no data available that report infection in the European context. We tested a total of 1,995 serum samples and 287 genital swabs from opportunistically sampled European brown hares (Lepus europaeus; n = 2135), Mountain hares (Lepus timidus; n = 4), European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus; n = 138), and pet rabbits (O. cuniculus f. domestica; n = 5). The samples originated from eight European countries. In case only serum was available, we tested the samples for the presence of anti-treponemal antibodies. For this, we utilized the Treponema pallidum-particle agglutination test (TP-PA), which is suited for the use in lagomorphs due to the antigenic cross-reactivity of anti-T. pallidum and anti-T. paraluisleporidarum antibodies. In addition, the results of 380 sera were confirmed using the fluorescent-Treponema antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS). In all cases where swab samples were available, DNA was extracted and tested using quantitative PCR to test for the presence of the lagomorph syphilis-bacterium. We were able to detect antibodies in 825 of 1,995 lagomorph sera (41.4%; brown hare: 825/1,868; rabbit: 0/127) and obtained positive qPCR results from 182 of 287 swab samples (63.4%; European brown hare: 167/267; mountain hare: 4/4; rabbit: 11/16). While all rabbit sera (n = 127) tested negative for anti-treponemal antibodies, the presence of the bacterium was confirmed in eight wild (n = 8/11) and three domestic rabbits (n = 3/5) from Germany using qPCR.

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Feeding habits and trophic niche overlap between sympatric golden jackal (Canis aureus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Pannonian ecoregion (Hungary)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z06-147 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (11) ◽

pp. 1647-1656 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

J. Lanszki ◽

M. Heltai ◽

L. Szabó

Keyword(s):

Wild Boar ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Niche Overlap ◽

Trophic Niche ◽

Lepus Europaeus ◽

Golden Jackal ◽

Canis Aureus

The feeding ecology of the golden jackal ( Canis aureus L., 1758) and its interspecific trophic relationship with the sympatric red fox (Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)) was investigated in an area of recent range expansion of the golden jackal in Hungary, central Europe. Diet composition was determined by scat analysis (over 4 years: jackal 814 scats; fox 894 scats). Compared with jackals, foxes consumed more small mammals (mean biomass consumed: jackal 77%; fox 68%) and to a lesser extent plant matter (6% and 18%, respectively). The importance of other prey, such as wild boar ( Sus scrofa L., 1758), cervids, brown hare ( Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778), birds, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, and domestic animals, was minimal. Both mesocarnivores consumed primarily small animals (<50 g: 92% and 87%, respectively); this implies a typical searching and solitary hunting strategy. The trophic niche breadth of both species was very narrow and the fox proved to be more of a generalist. The food overlap index between the two canids was high (mean, 73%) and varied with the decreasing availability and consumption of small mammals. Based on prey remains found in scats, small-mammal specialization over a 2-year period and seasonal predation upon wild boar piglets (mainly by the jackal), seasonal fruit eating (mainly by the fox), and scavenging on wild or domestic ungulates (both predators) were found.

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Habitat Needs of Furbearers in Relation to Logging in Boreal Ontario

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc64251-3 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 251-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

I. D. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Prey Species ◽

Red Fox ◽

Castor Canadensis ◽

Timber Harvesting ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Habitat Requirements ◽

Snowshoe Hare ◽

Negative Factor ◽

Lutra Canadensis

A literature review of boreal furbearers in Ontario indicates a substantial lack of a scientific basis on which to manage habitat or populations except for marten (Martes americana) and beaver (Castor canadensis). A review of known habitat requirements is presented for marten, lynx (Felis lynx), snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), ermine (Mustela erminea), mink (Mustela vision), beaver, otter (Lutra canadensis), and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), including known impacts of timber harvesting. Use of fur harvest statistics as indicators of population and ultimately habitat is questionable because catch integrates many variables and habitat change occurs slowly. Considerable data suggest that management for relatively few prey species may be an alternative to attempting to manage habitat for individual furbearers. Data from Manitouwadge, Ontario show marten prefer old growth forests and occur at extremely low densities up to 40 years after logging. Fox and lynx were most abundant in 20-30-year-old successional stands. Ermine occurred in all ages of stands that were censused. Access by logging roads is a negative factor for populations of all furbearers as it enhances morality from trapping, particularly if pelt prices are high.

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