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This paper outlines the practice of a novel digital method in animal geographies: etho-ethnographic citizen science. I describe a project using this participatory method with local residents in inner-city London, where we worked together to use camera traps to record video footage of red fox behaviour. The research sought to build an etho-ethnographic account of fox life by tethering data collection and interpretation to local knowledge. The paper focuses on the familial relations of one particular fox, a young male living on an allotment, who plotholders call Sonny. It begins by outlining how research objectives emerged through the process of collaborative research design with plotholders, premised on their own knowledge of fox personalities, and their storied accounts of individual foxes. It then considers how the practical planning of camera placement was directed through the plotholders own socioecological knowledge of the site. Lastly, it outlines how participants continual use of the traps, and their own analysis of footage, embeds digital data within vernacular understandings of Sonny's world. In doing so the paper outlines how etho-ethnographic citizen science can potentially amplify, affirm and digitise vernacular knowledges of urban fox ethologies and geographies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this co-written article creative practice researchers Christine Rogers (CR) and Liz Burke (LB) explicate their reasons for, processes, and outcomes of filming animals. Christine filmed the wild foxes who inhabited her Belfast garden. She set up a wildlife camera, gaining an up-close encounter with these shy strangers, and hoping through this, to create a sense of belonging for herself, a stranger to Northern Ireland. Liz filmed her two whippets, Agnes and then Zelda, to uncover the mysterious connections in the deep relationships between herself and her dogs. Both understand the ethical dilemmas of such filming and seek to make sense of this. Both adhere to Donna Haraway's call to enter into a complex dance with the other. Christine cedes control of the shooting and with her decolonising ethos she explores the tricky idea of reciprocity. Liz chooses to cede control in the editing as she works with a complexity-generating programme Korsakow. For Christine, belonging is created, and it becomes clear that she must remain a stranger to the foxes, no matter her desire for an intimate connection. Her desire for reciprocity also remains unmet. For Liz, belonging is not so much created as revealed by the strength of the connection between herself and her dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnivores play key roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function as well as ecological processes. Understanding how sympatric species coexist in natural ecosystems is a central research topic in community ecology and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored intra- and interspecific niche partitioning along spatial, temporal, and dietary niche partitioning between apex carnivores (wolf Canis lupus, snow leopard Panthera uncia, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx) and mesocarnivores (Pallas’s cat Otocolobus manul, red fox Vulpes vulpes, Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata) in Qilian Mountain National Park, China, using camera trapping data and DNA metabarcoding sequencing data. Our study showed that apex carnivore species had more overlap temporally (coefficients of interspecific overlap ranging from 0.661 to 0.900) or trophically (Pianka’s index ranging from 0.458 to 0.892), mesocarnivore species had high dietary overlap with each other (Pianka’s index ranging from 0.945 to 0.997), and apex carnivore and mesocarnivore species had high temporal overlap (coefficients of interspecific overlap ranging from 0.497 to 0.855). Large dietary overlap was observed between wolf and snow leopard (Pianka’s index = 0.892) and Pallas’s cat and Tibetan fox (Pianka’s index = 0.997), suggesting the potential for increased resource competition for these species pairs. We concluded that spatial niche partitioning is likely to key driver in facilitating the coexistence of apex carnivore species, while spatial and temporal niche partitioning likely facilitate the coexistence of mesocarnivore species, and spatial and dietary niche partitioning facilitate the coexistence between apex and mesocarnivore species. Our findings consider partitioning across temporal, spatial, and dietary dimensions while examining diverse coexistence patterns of carnivore species in Qilian Mountain National Park, China. These findings will contribute substantially to current understanding of carnivore guilds and effective conservation management in fragile alpine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive spiral flight and multi-strategy fusion are the foundations of a new FOX optimization algorithm that aims to address the drawbacks of the original method, including weak starting individual ergodicity, low diversity, and an easy way to slip into local optimum. In order to enhance the population, inertial weight is added along with Levy flight and variable spiral strategy once the population is initialized using a tent chaotic map. To begin the process of implementing the method, the fox population position is initialized using the created Tent chaotic map in order to provide more ergodic and varied individual beginning locations. To improve the quality of the solution, the inertial weight is added in the second place. The fox random walk mode is then updated using a variable spiral position updating approach. Subsequently, the algorithm's global and local searches are balanced, and the Levy flying method and greedy approach are incorporated to update the fox location. The enhanced FOX optimization technique is then thoroughly contrasted with various swarm intelligence algorithms using engineering application optimization issues and the CEC2017 benchmark test functions. According to the simulation findings, there have been notable advancements in the convergence speed, accuracy, and stability, as well as the jumping out of the local optimum, of the upgraded FOX optimization algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested if the personality of captive-raised western ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus occidentalis), and the impact of other variables would influence their survival after release using radiotelemetry. We hypothesised a greater survival for individuals: (i) bold; (ii) habituated in advance to food collected from the release area; (iii) juveniles instead of adults, because more easily tolerated by wild individuals, and (iv) released in new dreys (nests) as they would not have the strong odour of old dreys and would be less attractive to foxes. After 3 months of radio tracking, out of 143 possums released, 79 died: 51 (64.6%) were preyed upon by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Bold or female individuals had higher survival rates than shy or male individuals (survival rate bold: 53%, shy: 41%, p = 0.046, hazard ratio = 0.352, 95% CI HR [0.126, 0.979]; survival rate females: 44%, males: 35%, p = 0.007, hazard ratio = 2.811, 95% CI HR [1.322, 5.976]). Shooting was a more effective fox control strategy to improve survival compared to baiting (p = 0.019, hazard ratio = 0.167, 95% CI HR [0.038, 0.742]). Our results demonstrate that the control of introduced predators is critical for the success of reintroductions of this critically endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sympatric species reduce competitive interactions by segregating their ecological niche as a strategy that promotes coexistence. The main dimensions in which niche differentiation occurs are spatial, trophic, and temporal axes. Thus, describing the spatiotemporal patterns of sympatric species help us better grasp how species coexist. In Mexico, coyotes (Canis latrans) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are sympatric and widely distributed, and information about their temporal and spatiotemporal interactions is still needed to explain their coexistence throughout their distribution. The evaluation of the ecological niche in temperate forests where both species coexist has shown high spatial and trophic overlap. Therefore, more pronounced segregation must occur in other niche dimensions, such as temporal and spatiotemporal axes, to maintain the coexistence between coyotes and gray foxes. As an approach to exploring the coexistence between these species in temperate forests, we pose the following question: Is there temporal or spatiotemporal segregation between sympatric coyotes and gray foxes? We hypothesized that both species maintain coexistence due to differences in their daily activity patterns (temporal segregation) and the presence of avoidance behaviors at the spatiotemporal level (spatiotemporal segregation), thereby reducing agonistic interactions. We aimed to evaluate indicators of niche segregation through two approaches: (i) temporal niche partitioning, measuring the overlap of the daily activity patterns and activity levels; and (ii) spatiotemporal niche partitioning, through temporal co-occurrence analysis and time to encounter analysis. In 2018, we used a camera-trap array (n = 43) to evaluate spatiotemporal interactions of coyotes and gray foxes in temperate forests of northern Mexico. We found that coyotes exhibited a diurnal daily activity pattern, whereas gray foxes were nocturnal, showing low overlap between daily activity patterns. Temporal co-occurrence and time to encounter analysis showed that coyotes and gray foxes occurred independently of each other. Therefore, we demonstrated that the spatiotemporal interactions between both species is a result of random species associations. In conclusion, here we provide evidence that ecological segregation occurred in the temporal niche and not in the spatiotemporal niche of the species. Thus, the temporal niche segregation represents one of the ecological strategies that facilitates the coexistence between coyotes and gray foxes and therefore promotes their sympatry in the temperate forests of northern Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand urban animal welfare policy development and implementation for four species in public spaces: cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis familiaris), pigeons (Columbia livia domestica), and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Our exploratory research offers an overview of the perspectives of all involved municipal and police officers and their challenges in a metropolitan urban context, the Brussels Capital Region in Belgium. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 35 participants from 19 municipalities and six police zones of the region. Additionally, we organized two focus groups consisting of representatives from municipalities, police zones, and nongovernmental organizations. Afterward, we analyzed the data thematically, leading to the identification of six policy and six practice recommendations. These recommendations can help advance the notion of urban animal welfare for the four species from a multispecies perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prey-predator interactions across time and space strongly influence many animal communities. This study unveils the first insights into the ecology of the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Mongolia, and specifically in Bogd Khan Mountain Strictly Protected Area. We used by-catch data obtained from camera traps to analyze activity patterns and potential interactions with mammalian predators. Red squirrels exhibited primarily diurnal activity with occasional nocturnal forays, while potential predators like foxes (Vulpes vulpes, Vulpes corsac) and martens (Martes foina, Martes zibellina) displayed cathemeral and nocturnal patterns, respectively. The diurnal Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) showed the greatest activity overlap with squirrels. Suggesting predator avoidance behavior potentially mediated by olfactory cues, squirrel activity was negatively impacted by marten presence, which was in turn potentially affected by human disturbance. We highlight the need for further investigations, particularly regarding the dietary composition of Pallas’s cats in forested habitats and the broader ecological implications of human disturbance on predator–prey dynamics within this crucial conservation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) is the only species of the Canidae (Mammalia: Carnivora) endemic to Brazil, and so far has been the target of few genetic studies. Using microsatellites and mtDNA markers, we investigated its present genetic diversity and population structure. We also tested the hypothesis that this species currently hybridizes with the pampas fox (L. gymnocercus), as suggested by previous mtDNA data from two individuals. We collected tissue and blood samples from animals representing most of the two species' distributions in Brazil (n  = 87), including their recently discovered geographic contact zone in São Paulo state. We observed that the hoary fox exhibits high levels of genetic diversity and low levels of population structure. We identified six individuals from São Paulo state with clear evidence of hybridization based on introgressed pampas fox mitochondrial DNA and/or admixed microsatellite genotypes (three individuals bore both types of evidence). These results demonstrate the existence of admixed individuals between hoary and pampas foxes in southeastern Brazil, representing the first identified case of interspecies admixture between native South American canids. We discuss our findings in the context of the evolutionary history of these foxes and address potential conservation implications of this interspecies hybridization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first record of captive-bred red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) dates to 1896 when a breeding enterprise emerged in the provinces of Atlantic Canada. Because its domestication happened during recent history, the red fox offers a unique opportunity to examine the genetic diversity of an emerging domesticated species in the context of documented historical and economic influences. In particular, the historical record suggests that North American and Eurasian farm-bred populations likely experienced different demographic trajectories. Here, we focus on the likely impacts of founder effects and genetic drift given historical trends in fox farming on North American and Eurasian farms. A total of 15 mitochondrial haplotypes were identified in 369 foxes from 10 farm populations that we genotyped (n  = 161) or that were previously published. All haplotypes are endemic to North America. Although most haplotypes were consistent with eastern Canadian ancestry, a small number of foxes carried haplotypes typically found in Alaska and other regions of western North America. The presence of these haplotypes supports historical reports of wild foxes outside of Atlantic Canada being introduced into the breeding stock. These putative Alaskan and Western haplotypes were more frequently identified in Eurasian farms compared to North American farms, consistent with historical documentation suggesting that Eurasian economic and breeding practices were likely to maintain low-frequency haplotypes more effectively than in North America. Contextualizing inter- vs. intra-farm genetic diversity alongside the historical record is critical to understanding the origins of this emerging domesticate and the relationships between wild and farm-bred fox populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mammalian vomeronasal system enables the perception of chemical signals crucial for social communication via the receptor families V1R and V2R. These receptors are linked with the G-protein subunits, Gαi2 and Gαo, respectively. Exploring the evolutionary pathways of V1Rs and V2Rs across mammalian species remains a significant challenge, particularly when comparing genomic data with emerging immunohistochemical evidence. Recent studies have revealed the expression of Gαo in the vomeronasal neuroepithelium of wild canids, including wolves and foxes, contradicting predictions based on current genomic annotations. Our study provides detailed immunohistochemical evidence, mapping the expression of V2R receptors in the vomeronasal sensory epithelium, focusing particularly on wild canids, specifically wolves and foxes. An additional objective involves contrasting these findings with those from domestic species like dogs to highlight the evolutionary impacts of domestication on sensory systems. The employment of a specific antibody raised against the mouse V2R2, a member of the C-family of vomeronasal receptors, V2Rs, has confirmed the presence of V2R2-immunoreactivity (V2R2-ir) in the fox and wolf, but it has revealed the lack of expression in the dog. This may reflect the impact of domestication on the regression of the VNS in this species, in contrast to their wild counterparts, and it underscores the effects of artificial selection on sensory functions. Thus, these findings suggest a more refined chemical detection capability in wild species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, most threatened species translocations conducted into areas where feral predators are present fail to establish viable, self‐sustaining populations despite intensive predator control. These translocations are occurring amidst a lack of understanding regarding the conditions required for native species to survive, including predator densities. This study investigated whether population trends of in situ common species could be used as bioindicators to determine the effectiveness of predator management for threatened species protection. We compared changes in capture rates of four small mammals and four reptile species inside and outside a predator‐proof reserve for 11 years after cat and fox removal to identify which species responded to cat and fox eradication at various time scales. We only used sites inside the reserve where threatened species had not yet been reintroduced to isolate the effects of cat and fox removal. The effectiveness of these bioindicators was then tested at an unfenced reserve where predators were controlled using baiting, trapping, and shooting. There was a significant increase in the abundance of native rodents (spinifex hopping mouse and Bolam's mouse) inside the fenced reserve compared to outside, however, these differences were not detected in the unfenced reserve possibly due to inadequate predator control or insufficient time for in situ species to recover with sustained predator control. Captures of the introduced house mouse were higher at sites inside the fenced reserve in some years, but the difference was not consistent. Native dunnarts and all four reptile species did not respond consistently over the 11‐year time frame at either reserve. Native rodent abundance was the best indicator of effective feral predator control and may provide a useful bioindicator for threatened species management, such as reintroductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are believed to contribute to declining kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) numbers in the Great Basin desert through intraguild predation. Intraguild prey have been shown to exhibit adaptive compromise, whereby an animal increases selection for risky, but food-rich areas during times of food stress (i.e. winter). We evaluated the habitat selection of kit foxes in the Great Basin desert to elucidate if they demonstrated adaptive compromise as a method of coexisting with coyotes. We created 2nd order resource selection functions to analyze kit fox habitat selection associated with coyote relative probability of use (RPU), prey abundance, and type of soil substrate. In the summer, we found that kit fox selection for areas of relatively more abundant prey was not significant, and there was a small positive selection for coyote RPU. In the winter, we found a positive relationship between kit fox selection and prey abundance as well as a stronger selection for coyote RPU. These findings do follow the pattern of adaptive compromise. We also found kit foxes selected for silty and sandy soils, which are conducive to den construction, as they use dens seasonally for breeding but also year-round for multiple uses, including refugia from predators and extreme heat. Soil substrate appeared to be an important factor impacting kit fox habitat selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are believed to contribute to declining kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) numbers in the Great Basin desert through intraguild predation. Intraguild prey have been shown to exhibit adaptive compromise, whereby an animal increases selection for risky, but food-rich areas during times of food stress (i.e. winter). We evaluated the habitat selection of kit foxes in the Great Basin desert to elucidate if they demonstrated adaptive compromise as a method of coexisting with coyotes. We created 2nd order resource selection functions to analyze kit fox habitat selection associated with coyote relative probability of use (RPU), prey abundance, and type of soil substrate. In the summer, we found that kit fox selection for areas of relatively more abundant prey was not significant, and there was a small positive selection for coyote RPU. In the winter, we found a positive relationship between kit fox selection and prey abundance as well as a stronger selection for coyote RPU. These findings do follow the pattern of adaptive compromise. We also found kit foxes selected for silty and sandy soils, which are conducive to den construction, as they use dens seasonally for breeding but also year-round for multiple uses, including refugia from predators and extreme heat. Soil substrate appeared to be an important factor impacting kit fox habitat selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Individual foxes spreading Echinococcus multilocularis were tracked using copro-sampling. • Over 4 years, 45 foxes were identified from a collection of 124 genotyped fox faecal samples. • One-third of individual E. multilocularis- infected foxes deposited two-thirds of the positive faecal samples. • Three fox genetic clusters were highlighted, with one clustering two-thirds of the positive faeces. • Female foxes had a higher average number of multiple-stool deposits compared with males. Key parasite transmission parameters are difficult to obtain from elusive wild animals. For Echinococcus multilocularis , the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), the red fox is responsible for most of the environmental contamination in Europe. The identification of individual spreaders of E. multilocularis environmental contamination is crucial to improving our understanding of the ecology of parasite transmission in areas of high endemicity and optimising the effectiveness of prevention and control measures in the field. Genetic faecal sampling appears to be a feasible method to gain information about the faecal deposition of individual animals. We conducted a 4 year faecal sampling study in a village that is highly endemic for E. multilocularis, to assess the feasibility of individual identification and sexing of foxes to describe individual infection patterns. Individual fox identification from faecal samples was performed by obtaining reliable genotypes from 14 microsatellites and one sex locus, coupled with the detection of E. multilocularis DNA, first using captive foxes and then by environmental sampling. From a collection of 386 fox stools collected between 2017 and 2020, tested for the presence of E. multilocularis DNA, 180 were selected and 124 samples were successfully genotyped (68.9%). In total, 45 unique individual foxes were identified and 26 associated with at least one sample which tested positive for E. multilocularis (Em (+)). Estimation of the population size showed the fox population to be between 29 and 34 individuals for a given year and 67 individuals over 4 years. One-third of infected individuals (9/26 Em (+) foxes) deposited 2/3 of the faeces which tested positive for E. multilocularis (36/60 Em (+) stools). Genetic investigation showed a significantly higher average number of multiple stools for females than males, suggesting that the two sexes potentially defecated unequally in the studied area. Three partially overlapping clusters of fox faeces were found, with one cluster concentrating 2/3 of the total E. multilocularis -positive faeces. Based on these findings, we estimated that 12.5 million E. multilocularis eggs were produced during the study period, emphasizing the high contamination level of the environment and the risk of exposure faced by the parasite hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated faecal specimens from legally hunted and road‐killed red foxes, raccoons, raccoon dogs, badgers and martens in Germany for parasites and selected zoonotic bacteria. We found that Baylisascaris procyonis, a zoonotic parasite of raccoons, had spread to northeastern Germany, an area previously presumed to be free of this parasite. We detected various pathogenic bacterial species from the genera Listeria, Clostridium (including baratii), Yersinia and Salmonella, which were analysed using whole‐genome sequencing. One isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica contained a virulence plasmid. The Salmonella Cholerasuis isolate encoded an aminoglycoside resistance gene and a parC point mutation, conferring resistance to ciprofloxacin. We also found tetracycline resistance genes in Paeniclostridium sordellii and Clostridium baratii. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolates were polyclonal, indicating the absence of specific wildlife‐adapted clones. Predators, which scavenge from various sources including human settlements, acquire and spread zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, their role should not be overlooked in the One Health context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Control methods are applied worldwide to reduce predation on livestock by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Lethal methods are intended to kill foxes and can inflict suffering. Non-lethal methods can also inflict suffering and can unintentionally lead to death. Moral debate about the animal welfare and ethical consequences of both methods is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the animal welfare consequences, the level of humaneness and the ethical and moral implications of the global use of fox control methods. Tom Regan's animal rights view and Peter Singer's utilitarian view were each considered. According to Regan, lethal or potentially harmful non-lethal methods ought not to be used because one should not interfere with wild animals and because the use of such methods violates the right of foxes not to be harmed or killed. According to Singer, if and only if the use of fox control methods can prevent suffering and death in livestock in a manner and with a magnitude that outweighs comparable suffering and death in foxes is one morally obligated to use them. It is clear that lethal fox control methods and some non-lethal methods are inhumane. Control methods are applied worldwide to reduce predation on livestock by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Lethal methods can inflict suffering; however, moral debate about their use is lacking. Non-lethal methods can also inflict suffering and can unintentionally lead to death, and yet both the welfare consequences and ethical perspectives regarding their use are rarely discussed. The aim of this study was to investigate the animal welfare consequences, the level of humaneness, the ethical considerations and the moral implications of the global use of fox control methods according to Tom Regan's animal rights view and Peter Singer's utilitarian view. According to Regan, foxes ought not to be controlled by either lethal or potentially harmful non-lethal methods because this violates the right of foxes not to be harmed or killed. According to Singer, if an action maximises happiness or the satisfaction of preferences over unhappiness or suffering, then the action is justified. Therefore, if and only if the use of fox control methods can prevent suffering and death in livestock in a manner that outweighs comparable suffering and death in foxes is one morally obligated to use them. It is clear that lethal fox control methods and some non-lethal methods are inhumane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human presence and activities have profoundly altered animals' habitats, exposing them to greater risks but also providing new opportunities and resources. The animals' capacity to effectively navigate and strike a balance between risks and benefits is crucial for their survival in the Anthropocene era. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), adept urban dwellers, exhibit behavioral plasticity in human-altered environments. We investigated variations in detection frequency on trail cameras and the behavioral responses (explorative, bold, and fearful) of wild red foxes living along an urbanization gradient when exposed to a metal bin initially presented clean and then filled with anthropogenic food. All fox populations displayed an increased interest and similar explorative behavioral responses toward the anthropogenic food source, irrespective of the urbanization gradient. Despite no impact on explorative behaviors, foxes in more urbanized areas initially showed heightened fear toward the empty bin, indicating increased apprehension toward novel objects. However, this fear diminished over time, and in the presence of food, urban foxes displayed slightly reduced fear compared with their less urban counterparts. Our results highlight foxes' potential for adaptability to human landscapes, additionally underscoring the nuanced interplay of fear and explorative behavioral response of populations living along the urbanization gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a selection of foxhunting stories to explore the way in which anthropomorphized foxes were used to communicate pro-hunting messages to their mostly young readers. These justifications also appeared in nonfictional foxhunting sporting literature. Indeed, this literature included some of the same incredible anecdotes that also appeared in the work of nature writers at the turn of the twentieth century such as Charles G.D. Roberts and Ernest Thompson Seton working in a new sympathetic genre called the “animal story.” These writers found themselves under attack because naturalists like John Burroughs, and hunters, including President Theodore Roosevelt, found their stories to be inaccurate and anthropocentric. Roosevelt dubbed them the “nature fakers.” Foxhunting “histories” employed imaginative material and much anthropomorphism but were not attacked for doing so. This tends to indicate that anthropomorphisms were more acceptable when they were facilitating animal exploitation than when they were used to promote the perspective of nonhuman animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire shapes animal communities by altering resource availability and species interactions, including between predators and prey. In Australia, there is particular concern that two highly damaging invasive predators, the feral cat (Felis catus) and European red fox (Vulpes vulpes), increase their activity in recently burnt areas and exert greater predation pressure on the native prey due to their increased exposure. We tested how prescribed fire occurrence and extent, along with fire history, vegetation, topography, and distance to anthropogenic features (towns and farms), affected the activity (detection frequency) of cats, foxes, and the native mammal community in south‐eastern Australia. We used camera traps to quantify mammal activity before and after a prescribed burn and statistically tested how the fire interacted with these habitat variables to affect mammal activity. We found little evidence that the prescribed fire influenced the activity of cats and foxes and no evidence of an effect on kangaroo or small mammal (<800 g) activity. Medium‐sized mammals (800–2000 g) were negatively associated with prescribed fire extent, suggesting that prescribed fire has a negative impact on these species in the short term. The lack of a clear activity increase from cats and foxes is likely a positive outcome from a fire management perspective. However, we highlight that their response is likely dependent upon factors like fire size, severity, and prey availability. Future experiments should incorporate GPS‐trackers to record fine‐scale movements of cats and foxes in temperate ecosystems immediately before and after prescribed fire to best inform management within protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Morgado Superior Rock Shelter is located near the city of Tomar, in Central Portugal. This site presents important funerary contexts that according to published information encompass the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. Other non-funerary uses have not yet been characterised but were briefly suggested. A faunal sample of the 1988 and 2012 interventions is analysed from a zooarchaeological and taphonomical perspective, focusing on the leporid remains that largely dominate the assemblage. Clear indicators of a human origin are absent, while a configurational approach allows the description of exogenous and intrusive origins. The characteristics of the registered consumption taphonomical indicators are suggestive of scat and non-ingested accumulation by foxes. Furthermore, this study allows us to discuss some aspects of the formation of the stratigraphy of this important cave necropolis, while also serving as an example of the expected results of foxes' action on leporid remains in an archaeological site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Avian influenza viruses are highly contagious respiratory viruses that severely impact bird populations, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Particularly concerning are the Asian-origin H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, which emerged in 2013 and have since spread across Asia, Europe, Africa, and America, leading to outbreaks in various poultry and animal species. The unique epidemiological and pathobiological characteristics specific to clade 2.3.4.4b viruses are discussed, emphasizing their distinct nature compared to other clades. Wild waterfowl, acting as reservoirs, frequently carry these viruses, posing threats not only to their populations but also to other wild bird species, including endangered ones. Furthermore, an increasing number of clade 2.3.4.4b virus infections in wild or domestic mammalian species raises significant concerns about potential spillover events to humans. This review highlights the diverse outcomes of HPAI infections in different hosts, ranging from asymptomatic cases to fatal infection, influenced by host and virus-related factors. Understanding these complexities is vital for developing effective strategies to mitigate the impact of AIVs, safeguard poultry production, protect wildlife, and prevent potential public health crises. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are highly contagious respiratory viruses of birds, leading to significant morbidity and mortality globally and causing substantial economic losses to the poultry industry and agriculture. Since their first isolation in 2013–2014, the Asian-origin H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) of clade 2.3.4.4b have undergone unprecedented evolution and reassortment of internal gene segments. In just a few years, it supplanted other AIV clades, and now it is widespread in the wild migratory waterfowl, spreading to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of LPAIVs and generally more resistant to the disease, also manifested high morbidity and mortality with HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b. This clade also caused overt clinical signs and mass mortality in a variety of avian and mammalian species never reported before, such as raptors, seabirds, sealions, foxes, and others. Most notably, the recent outbreaks in dairy cattle were associated with the emergence of a few critical mutations related to mammalian adaptation, raising concerns about the possibility of jumping species and acquisition of sustained human-to-human transmission. The main clinical signs and anatomopathological findings associated with clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in birds and non-human mammals are hereby summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing biological invasions from historical sources can provide insights into how they occur but are difficult to do when invasions are poorly documented. Genetic signatures left by invaders can also offer insights into invasion routes, points of origin and general biology but often present conclusions that are contradictory to expectations. Here, we test the ability of continental‐wide microsatellite genotype data from 29 loci and 3122 samples to reconstruct the well‐documented invasion of red foxes Vulpes vulpes from the United Kingdom into Australia over 150 years ago, an invasion that has led to the extinction of many native species. Our analysis reveals several key signals of invasion evident in Australian foxes. They display lower levels of diversity than foxes sampled from the UK, exhibit clines in diversity from the point of introduction (south‐east Australia) to the edge of their range, and show strong evidence of allele surfing in westerly and north‐easterly directions. These characteristics are consistent with a single point of origin followed by rapid expansion in westerly and north‐easterly directions as suggested by historical records. We also find little genetic structure in foxes across Australia with only the vast Nullarbor Plains and Great Victoria Desert region presenting a detectable barrier to their dispersal. As such, no mainland region within the current range of foxes can be considered genetically isolated and therefore appropriate for localised eradication efforts. Overall, our analyses demonstrate the ability of comprehensive population genetic studies to reconstruct invasion histories even after more than 80 years since colonisation was stabilised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Arctic tundra, predators face recurrent periods of food scarcity and often turn to ungulate carcasses as an alternative food source. As important and localized resource patches, carrion promotes co‐occurrence of different individuals, and its use by predators is likely to be affected by interspecific competition. We studied how interspecific competition and resource availability impact winter use of carrion by Arctic and red foxes in low Arctic Fennoscandia. We predicted that the presence of red foxes limits Arctic foxes' use of carrion, and that competition depends on the availability of other resources. We monitored Arctic and red fox presence at supp lied carrion using camera traps. From 2006 to 2021, between 16 and 20 cameras were active for 2 months in late winter (288 camera‐winters). Using a multi‐species dynamic occupancy model at a week‐to‐week scale, we evaluated the use of carrion by foxes while accounting for the presence of competitors, rodent availability, and supplemental feeding provided to Arctic foxes. Competition affected carrion use by increasing both species' probability to leave occupied carcasses between consecutive weeks. This increase was similar for the two species, suggesting symmetrical avoidance. Increased rodent abundance was associated with a higher probability of colonizing carrion sites for both species. For Arctic foxes, however, this increase was only observed at carcasses unoccupied by red foxes, showing greater avoidance when alternative preys are available. Supplementary feeding increased Arctic foxes' carrion use, regardless of red fox presence. Contrary to expectations, we did not find strong signs of asymmetric competition for carrion in winter, which suggests that interactions for resources at a short time scale are not necessarily aligned with interactions at the scale of the population. In addition, we found that competition for carcasses depends on the availability of other resources, suggesting that interactions between predators depend on the ecological context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalist species, which exploit a wide range of food resources, are expected to be able to combine available resources as to attain their specific macronutrient ratio (percentage of caloric intake of protein, lipids and carbohydrates). Among mammalian predators, the red fox Vulpesvulpes is a widespread, opportunistic forager: its diet has been largely studied, outlining wide variation according to geographic and climatic factors. We aimed to check if, throughout the species' European range, diets vary widely in macronutrient composition or foxes can combine complementary foods to gain the same nutrient intake. First, we assessed fox's intake target in the framework of nutritional geometry. Secondly, we aimed to highlight the effects of unbalanced diets on fox density, which was assumed as a proxy for Darwinian fitness, as assessed in five areas of the western Italian Alps. Unexpectedly, the target macronutrient ratio of the fox (52.4% protein-, 38.7% lipid- and 8.9% carbohydrate energy) was consistent with that of hypercarnivores, such as wolves and felids, except for carbohydrate intakes in urban and rural habitats. The inverse relation between density and the deviation of observed macronutrient ratios from the intake target suggests that fox capability of surviving in a wide range of habitats may not be exempt from fitness costs and that nutrient availability should be regarded among the biotic factors affecting animal abundance and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing biological invasions from historical sources can provide insights into how they occur but are difficult to do when invasions are poorly documented. Genetic signatures left by invaders can also offer insights into invasion routes, points of origin and general biology but often present conclusions that are contradictory to expectations. Here, we test the ability of continental‐wide microsatellite genotype data from 29 loci and 3122 samples to reconstruct the well‐documented invasion of red foxes Vulpes vulpes from the United Kingdom into Australia over 150 years ago, an invasion that has led to the extinction of many native species. Our analysis reveals several key signals of invasion evident in Australian foxes. They display lower levels of diversity than foxes sampled from the UK, exhibit clines in diversity from the point of introduction (south‐east Australia) to the edge of their range, and show strong evidence of allele surfing in westerly and north‐easterly directions. These characteristics are consistent with a single point of origin followed by rapid expansion in westerly and north‐easterly directions as suggested by historical records. We also find little genetic structure in foxes across Australia with only the vast Nullarbor Plains and Great Victoria Desert region presenting a detectable barrier to their dispersal. As such, no mainland region within the current range of foxes can be considered genetically isolated and therefore appropriate for localised eradication efforts. Overall, our analyses demonstrate the ability of comprehensive population genetic studies to reconstruct invasion histories even after more than 80 years since colonisation was stabilised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Arctic tundra, predators face recurrent periods of food scarcity and often turn to ungulate carcasses as an alternative food source. As important and localized resource patches, carrion promotes co‐occurrence of different individuals, and its use by predators is likely to be affected by interspecific competition. We studied how interspecific competition and resource availability impact winter use of carrion by Arctic and red foxes in low Arctic Fennoscandia. We predicted that the presence of red foxes limits Arctic foxes' use of carrion, and that competition depends on the availability of other resources. We monitored Arctic and red fox presence at supp lied carrion using camera traps. From 2006 to 2021, between 16 and 20 cameras were active for 2 months in late winter (288 camera‐winters). Using a multi‐species dynamic occupancy model at a week‐to‐week scale, we evaluated the use of carrion by foxes while accounting for the presence of competitors, rodent availability, and supplemental feeding provided to Arctic foxes. Competition affected carrion use by increasing both species' probability to leave occupied carcasses between consecutive weeks. This increase was similar for the two species, suggesting symmetrical avoidance. Increased rodent abundance was associated with a higher probability of colonizing carrion sites for both species. For Arctic foxes, however, this increase was only observed at carcasses unoccupied by red foxes, showing greater avoidance when alternative preys are available. Supplementary feeding increased Arctic foxes' carrion use, regardless of red fox presence. Contrary to expectations, we did not find strong signs of asymmetric competition for carrion in winter, which suggests that interactions for resources at a short time scale are not necessarily aligned with interactions at the scale of the population. In addition, we found that competition for carcasses depends on the availability of other resources, suggesting that interactions between predators depend on the ecological context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environments provide opportunities for some species but are inhospitable for others. However, those which thrive can be found at higher densities in human‐dominated landscapes than in more rural habitats. This highlights the importance of understanding species responses to human environments. It is not only important for the conservation of urban wildlife but also may provide fundamental insights into human‐wildlife coexistence globally.Here, we use citizen science data to predict the habitat suitability of Greater London for the West European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the European badger (Meles meles) and the Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).Results indicate that the four target species prefer different urban habitats, indicating different levels of urbanisation potential. Foxes and grey squirrels are able to thrive in inner urban areas, with the highest values of habitat suitability for these species found in central London, whereas for hedgehogs and badgers, the highest habitat suitability occurs in suburban and more rural habitats in outer London, respectively.These results highlight a gradient in urban tolerance, from squirrels and foxes to hedgehogs and badgers. This work also shows the importance of urban green spaces as habitats for wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many different animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, including a few Canidae (domestic dog and raccoon dog). So far, only experimental evidence is available concerning SARS-CoV-2 infections in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in a sample from a red fox. The RT-qPCR-positive fox was zoo-kept together with another fox and two bears in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. Combined material from a conjunctival and nasal swab collected for canine distemper virus diagnostics tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA with Ct values of 36.9 (E gene assay) and 35.7 (RdRp gene assay). The sample was analysed for SARS-CoV-2 within a research project testing residual routine diagnostic samples from different animal species submitted between spring 2020 and December 2022 to improve knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 infections within different animal species and investigate their potential role in a One Health context. Within this project, 246 samples from 153 different animals from Swiss zoos and other wild animal species all tested SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR and/or serologically negative so far, except for the reported fox. The source of SARS-CoV-2 in the fox is unknown. The fox disappeared within the naturally structured enclosure, and the cadaver was not found. No further control measures were undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to characterise the modifications caused by the Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) to the bones and teeth of its prey in the Espinal and Dry Chaco environments, in central Argentina. Plant remains, invertebrate remains, and vertebrate bones and teeth were recovered from a set of more than 180 faeces. From an actualistic perspective, we evaluated the taphonomic signature of this predator in the remains of snakes, birds and mammals recovered in its faeces. We achieved a high rate of taxonomical identification and recovered remains of exotic and native fauna, such as Ovis aries and Lagostomus maximus, respectively. The most remarkable aspects recorded in this taphonomic study were a high frequency of breakage, a low frequency of tooth marks (only observed in large prey), and a high frequency and intensity of digestion damage. The information generated in this study contributes to the evaluations of accumulating agents in archaeological and palaeontological sites of South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Fox Skeleton" by John Kinsella describes the discovery of a fox skeleton in a valley. The skeleton was found intact except for the head, and it had been picked clean by the sun, insects, birds, and other creatures. The narrator decides to hide each bone in different places around the valley to disperse the memory of the fox. The article also touches on the narrator's relationship with her family and her struggle to fit in with others. [Extracted from the article]

The hypothesis of a pre-historic occupation of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands is reviewed. The strength of the different lines of evidence presented by different authors is discussed, and the main difficulties are pointed out. Previous analyses sustained a pre-European human presence on the basis of the recovery of macrofossil charcoal in peat bogs up to 10,500 cal BP, anecdotal evidence for the presence of canoes during the nineteenth century, the surface findings of lithic projectile points and one bone harpoon, the interpretation of sea mammal bone piles as resulting from the activities of native maritime nomads, and the presence of an extinct canid-like fox (Dusicyon australis) considered as transported to the islands by native groups. After the discussion of all these potential markers, our conclusion is that the evidence for a pre-European human presence in the islands is still insecure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduced predators are thought to be responsible for the decline and extinction of their native prey. The prey naivety hypothesis provides a mechanism for these declines, suggesting that native prey are vulnerable to introduced predators as their coevolutionary history is insufficiently long for antipredator behaviours to fully develop. The prey naivety hypothesis thus predicts that prey will be less responsive to introduced predators than to native predators. Australia's endemic small mammals are thought to be vulnerable to predation by red foxes because they are less responsive to – or naive of – a predator with whom they have only co‐occurred since the 19th century. To test whether nativeness determines antipredator behaviours we compared small mammal behavioural responses to fox scent outside (Australia) and inside the foxes' native range (North America and Israel). We conducted giving‐up density experiments in the deserts of these three regions and evaluated small mammal antipredator responses to fox scent. To place these results in a broader context, we then integrated our results into a global meta‐analysis of studies assessing prey responsiveness to fox scent. All small mammals similarly increased their vigilance in response to fox scent, regardless of their coevolutionary history with foxes. Australian small mammals responded with greater wariness to fox scent, by decreasing time at food patches in response to fox scent more than Israeli and American small mammals did. However, we found no evidence that this behaviour influenced foraging as nut consumption was unaffected. Our meta‐analysis revealed that globally, small mammals respond with similar wariness to fox scent regardless of whether foxes are their native predator. We found no evidence that Australian small mammals respond in a maladaptive manner, compared to the foxes' native prey. Our results suggest that animals can develop antipredator behaviours to introduced predators to the same magnitude as native prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference genome assemblies have been created from multiple lineages within the Canidae family; however, despite its phylogenetic relevance as a basal genus within the clade, there is currently no reference genome for the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Here, we present a chromosome-level assembly for the gray fox (U. cinereoargenteus), which represents the most contiguous, non-domestic canid reference genome available to date, with 90% of the genome contained in just 34 scaffolds and a contig N50 and scaffold N50 of 59.4 and 72.9 Megabases, respectively. Repeat analyses identified an increased number of simple repeats relative to other canids. Based on mitochondrial DNA, our Vermont sample clusters with other gray fox samples from the northeastern United States and contains slightly lower levels of heterozygosity than gray foxes on the west coast of California. This new assembly lays the groundwork for future studies to describe past and present population dynamics, including the delineation of evolutionarily significant units of management relevance. Importantly, the phylogenetic position of Urocyon allows us to verify the loss of PRDM9 functionality in the basal canid lineage, confirming that pseudogenization occurred at least 10 million years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the constraints that dominant predators impose on subordinate species is important for predicting ecosystem dynamics and anticipating outcomes of predator management. Subordinate predators may avoid dominant predators in time or space, making it difficult to quantify antipredator behaviours unless joint spatiotemporal analyses are used. Here, we test whether an invasive dominant predator (red fox Vulpes vulpes) alters the spatiotemporal activity of an invasive subordinate predator (feral cat Felis catus). We collated records of both species from 3667 camera‐traps deployed experimentally across two regions of south‐eastern Australia with simplified predator guilds. Foxes were poison‐baited in some landscapes within each region. We used generalised additive models to quantify changes in predator spatiotemporal activity across geographic space, vegetation types, human footprints and (artificially manipulated) gradients of dominant predator activity. Foxes and cats had similar diel activity patterns when averaged across all sites, but there was important differentiation at a finer scale: cats did not reduce their spatial activity but shifted diel patterns when localised fox activity was high. Cats were crepuscular on average. However, across dry vegetation types of both regions (where foxes were nocturnal), cats shifted to diurnal behaviour with increasing fox activity. In contrast, fox activity was relatively consistent throughout the daily cycle in the wet forest; here cats avoided dawn when fox activity was high. Changes in cat diel activity patterns may facilitate spatial coexistence between these two invasive predators, potentially shifting feral cat impacts onto different native prey. While it is well‐appreciated that predator activity varies spatially and fluctuates throughout the daily cycle,our study demonstrates that diel activity patterns also vary across space, likely mediated by both landscape‐context and fear. Dominant predator avoidance in time also appears to be spatially dynamic – a key nuance overlooked when simply comparing the average activity overlap between two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the California Channel Islands, wildlife researchers have hypothesized that the island fox (Urocyon littoralis) competes with the smaller-bodied island spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis amphiala). Recent declines in spotted skunk captures have raised concerns about the status of the spotted skunk population on Santa Cruz Island and the potential role of foxes in the decline. From 2018 to 2019, we used global positioning system and very-high-frequency radio collars to assess patterns of space use by foxes and spotted skunks and deployed remote cameras to determine the potential for interaction between the two species at spotted skunk den sites. Spotted skunk home ranges were approximately five times larger than previously reported (range = 55–299 ha), and temporal patterns of space use differed between spotted skunks and foxes, with spotted skunks utilizing only 32% of their 6-month home range during a week, while foxes moved more widely over short time periods, covering 60% of their seasonal home range during 1 week. In spite of overall larger seasonal home ranges, the number of vegetation types used by spotted skunks (mean = 4) was smaller than that used by foxes (mean = 7) living in the same area, consistent with the narrow niche hypothesized for spotted skunks. More broadly, selection for vegetation types varied among individuals, within species, and across locations on the island. Based on camera trapping at spotted skunk den sites, we found a positive relationship between spotted skunk visitation rate and slope at den sites but no relationship with vegetation cover, suggesting more heavily used dens were in areas of steeper slope. Photographic evidence of a fox attempting to dig an adult spotted skunk from its den suggested predation at den sites could be a factor in spotted skunk mortality. En las Islas del Canal de California, el zorro isleño (Urocyon littoralis) ha se ha planteado la hipótesis de que compite con el zorillo manchada de la isla (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) de cuerpo más pequeño. Las recientes disminuciones en las capturas de zorrillos manchados han suscitado preocupaciones sobre el estado de la población de zorrillos manchados en la isla Santa Cruz y el papel potencial de los zorros en la disminución. De 2018 a 2019, utilizamos collares de radio GPS y VHF para evaluar los patrones de uso del espacio por los zorros y zorrillos moteados y desplegamos cámaras remotas para determinar el potencial de interacción entre las dos especies en los sitios de guaridas de zorrillos moteados. Los rangos de hogar estacionales (HR) de zorrillos manchados eran aproximadamente cinco veces más grandes de lo que se informó anteriormente, y los patrones temporales de uso del espacio diferían entre los zorrillos manchados y los zorros, con los zorrillos manchados utilizando solo el 32% de su HR de seis meses durante una semana, mientras que los zorros se movían más ampliamente en períodos de tiempo cortos, cubriendo el 60% de su FC estacional durante una semana. A pesar de los rangos de hogar estacionales más amplios en general, el número de tipos de vegetación utilizados por los zorrillos manchados fue menor que el utilizado por los zorros que viven en la misma área, en consonancia con el nicho estrecho hipotético para los zorrillos manchados. En términos más generales, la selección de los tipos de vegetación varió entre los individuos, dentro de las especies y entre los lugares de la isla. Basándonos en la captura de cámaras en los sitios de guaridas de zorrillos manchados, encontramos una relación positiva entre la tasa de visitas de zorrillos manchados y la pendiente en los sitios de guaridas, pero ninguna relación con la cubierta vegetal, lo que sugiere que las guaridas más utilizadas estaban en áreas de pendientes más pronunciadas. La evidencia fotográfica de un zorro que intenta sacar una mofeta moteada adulta de su guarida sugiere que la depredación en los sitios de guarida podría ser un factor en la mortalidad de la mofeta manchada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public opinion can have a decisive influence on conservation actions leading to a need to understand how public opinion is formed. In a survey with a representative sample of the German population, participants answered questions about foxes in two consecutive years. Different versions of a leaflet about foxes were distributed to 2448 participants before the second interview. We compared a narrative text presentation to a non‐narrative list of facts and examined the use of photographs and schematic graphs. We assessed how the presentation format and socio‐demographic factors affected the probability that participants read the leaflet. Using a before‐after/control‐impact design, we examined whether the leaflet affected people's fox‐related knowledge, attitude, and risk perception. The results show that participants were more likely to read the leaflet with increasing age and a higher educational level. Reading probability also increased with attitude toward foxes. Participants who read the leaflet completely gained more knowledge about foxes than those who read it only partly. Photographs also contributed to a higher knowledge gain, but schematic graphs did not. Moreover, participants who read a fact list gained more knowledge compared to the control condition. Furthermore, the combination of visual and textual features had an effect on attitude toward foxes. However, we found no evidence that any treatment affected risk perception. We discuss implications and derivations for science communication to improve conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative craniometric analysis among maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus, n = 9), crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous, n = 8) and domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, n = 124) was performed. A total of 18 craniometric measurements were taken from these specimens, and eight craniometric indices were further computed from those measurements. Using correlation analysis, we found that the 26 variables could be clustered into four groups, namely: (1) indicators of rostro-caudal length; (2) ventro-dorsal height and latero-lateral width; (3) cranial indices; and (4) dimensions of the foramen magnum. Consequently, multivariate techniques were applied to the data in order to reduce dimensionality and thus facilitate the comparisons among domestic and wild species. The projection of the data into the lower-dimensional space created by a principal component analysis showed that skulls of crab-eating foxes resembled small mesaticephalic skulls of domestic dogs, whereas the skulls of maned wolves were closer to those of larger dolichocephalic dogs. However, both species shared similarities with the mesaticephalic and dolichocephalic morphotypes of domestic dogs when variables were considered individually. Importantly, the variation in skull morphology found in the wild specimens was significantly smaller than that found in domestic dogs. These findings suggest an evolutionary constraint to skull shape diversity in maned wolves and crab-eating foxes, which seems consistent with adaptation to a generalist omnivorous diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination of the reservoir species is a key component in the global fight against rabies. For wildlife reservoir species and hard to reach spillover species (e. g. ruminant farm animals), oral vaccination is the only solution. In search for a novel potent and safe oral rabies vaccine, we generated a recombinant vector virus based on lentogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain Clone 30 that expresses the glycoprotein G of rabies virus (RABV) vaccine strain SAD L16 (rNDV_GRABV). Transgene expression and virus replication was verified in avian and mammalian cells. To test immunogenicity and viral shedding, in a proof-of-concept study six goats and foxes, representing herbivore and carnivore species susceptible to rabies, each received a single dose of rNDV_GRABV (108.5 TCID50/animal) by direct oral application. For comparison, three animals received the similar dose of the empty viral vector (rNDV). All animals remained clinically inconspicuous during the trial. Viral RNA could be isolated from oral and nasal swabs until four (goats) or seven days (foxes) post vaccination, while infectious NDV could not be re-isolated. After four weeks, three out of six rNDV_GRABV vaccinated foxes developed RABV binding and virus neutralizing antibodies. Five out of six rNDV_GRABV vaccinated goats displayed RABV G specific antibodies either detected by ELISA or RFFIT. Additionally, NDV and RABV specific T cell activity was demonstrated in some of the vaccinated animals by detecting antigen specific interferon γ secretion in lymphocytes isolated from pharyngeal lymph nodes. In conclusion, the NDV vectored rabies vaccine rNDV_GRABV was safe and immunogenic after a single oral application in goats and foxes, and highlight the potential of NDV as vector for oral vaccines in mammals. Author summary: Oral vaccination of rabies reservoir and spill-over species is the key to control the disease and prevent human rabies. In the past, baits containing live-attenuated rabies vaccines decreased significantly carnivore-mediated rabies in Central and Western Europe as well as North America. However, certain susceptible species are refractory to the oral immunization using so far licensed vaccines. Our vector vaccine based on avian Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has the potential to contribute to the targeted rabies eradication as it was safe and immunogenic after oral administration in goats and foxes. A single vaccine application elicited a rabies virus (RABV) specific systemic humoral immune response in the majority of the vaccinated animals as well as RABV specific T cells in some of the vaccinated animals. NDV can be manufactured at low-cost using already existing infrastructure of influenza vaccines, opening new possibilities especially for middle- and low-income countries that suffer under the economically burden of rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chilla or grey fox (Lycalopex griseus) is a native species from continental Chile and neighboring areas of Argentina. It was introduced to Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego in 1951 and began to increase its abundance, to the chagrin of local sheep ranchers. Since 1998, its hunting has been authorized. Here we update information on the density, abundance, and activity of this fox in the Chilean sector of Tierra del Fuego Island, to evaluate its population trend since the last census conducted by the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) in 2007. Methods and results: We carried out two fox censuses on a 941-km transect on public roads, divided into eight routes, from October to November (spring) of 2021 and 2022, following the same design used by SAG for the fox assessments carried out from 1999 to 2007. We report a reduction of > 50% in the density and abundance of chilla foxes with respect to the 2007 estimate, which could be attributed to the interference by free-ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), through restricting the use of space by the fox, while transmitting diseases and parasites, and to human hunting pressure and vehicle collisions. Discussion: The chilla fox decline highlights the need for an in-depth study to determine the ecological and socioeconomic impact of this exotic species on the ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego Island and the desirability of its management, if needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a member of the Canidae family, is found on all continents except Antarctica. In Croatia, red foxes are indigenous wild species that inhabit both the coastal and continental regions of the country. Neoplastic diseases are the leading cause of mortality in pet dogs, but wild members of the Canidae family can also develop tumors. Tumors in non-domestic canids are scarce; however, the true prevalence and diversity of these tumors are likely underestimated due to limited research. So far, only a limited number of tumors have been observed among the red fox population, either in their natural habitat or in captivity. The lack of wide-scale research on the incidence of neoplasia in the population of wild carnivora species in Croatia underscores the need for further investigation to enhance our understanding of tumors in foxes. In this study, conducted on a sample of 1890 red foxes, five tumor or tumor-like lesions were identified. These included two Meibomian gland adenomas, two collagenous hamartomas, and one teratoma. This research is the first of this kind in Croatia, shedding light on the occurrence and types of tumors in the red fox population. The red fox, found on all continents except Antarctica, occupies diverse habitats. In Croatia, it is an indigenous wild species with a population density of 0.7 animals per square kilometer. While tumors in wild animals from the Canidae family are scarce, the true prevalence and diversity of tumors are likely underestimated due to limited research. So far, a limited number of tumors have been observed among the red fox population, either in their natural habitat or in captivity. As part of the National Rabies Control Program, we examined 1890 red fox carcasses over a four-year period. Our focus was on identifying abnormalities on the skin and internal organs that suggest potential neoplastic proliferation. Five red foxes, three males and two females, were found to have growths resembling potential tumors. Their age distribution spanned from 2 to 7 years. Microscopic investigation revealed two collagenous hamartomas, two Meibomian gland adenomas, and one intra-abdominal teratoma within a cryptorchid testis. This retrospective study aims to provide a comprehensive description of tumor and tumor-like lesions observed in free-range red foxes from Croatia, marking the first research of its kind in Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic pathogen widely distributed in animals and humans. It can cause diarrhea and even death in immunocompromised hosts. Approximately 800 internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes have been identified in E. bieneusi. Farmed foxes and raccoon dogs are closely associated to humans and might be the reservoir of E. bieneusi which is known to have zoonotic potential. However, there are only a few studies about E. bieneusi genotype identification and epidemiological survey in foxes and raccoon dogs in Henan and Hebei province. Thus, the present study investigated the infection rates and genotypes of E. bieneusi in farmed foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei provinces. Result: A total of 704 and 884 fecal specimens were collected from foxes and raccoon dogs, respectively. Nested PCR was conducted based on ITS of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), and then multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was conducted to analyze the genotypes. The result showed that infection rates of E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs were 18.32% and 5.54%, respectively. Ten E. bieneusi genotypes with zoonotic potential (NCF2, NCF3, D, EbpC, CHN-DC1, SCF2, CHN-F1, Type IV, BEB4, and BEB6) were identified in foxes and raccoon dogs. Totally 178 ITS-positive DNA specimens were identified from foxes and raccoon dogs and these specimens were then subjected to MLST analysis. In the MLST analysis, 12, 2, 7 and 8 genotypes were identified in at the mini-/ micro-satellite loci MS1, MS3, MS4 and MS7, respectively. A total of 14 multilocus genotypes were generated using ClustalX 2.1 software. Overall, the present study evaluated the infection of E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs in the Henan and Hebei province, and investigated the zoonotic potential of the E. bieneusi in foxes and raccoon dogs. Conclusions: These findings expand the geographic distribution information of E. bieneusi' host in China and was helpful in preventing against the infection of E. bieneusi with zoonotic potential in foxes and raccoon dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

California's Channel Islands are home to two endemic mammalian carnivores: island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) and island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala). Although it is rare for two insular terrestrial carnivores to coexist, these known competitors persist on both Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island. We hypothesized that examination of their gut microbial communities would provide insight into the factors that enable this coexistence, as microbial symbionts often reflect host evolutionary history and contemporary ecology. Using rectal swabs collected from island foxes and island spotted skunks sampled across both islands, we generated 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data to characterize their gut microbiomes. While island foxes and island spotted skunks both harbored the core mammalian microbiome, host species explained the largest proportion of variation in the dataset. We further identified intraspecific variation between island populations, with greater differentiation observed between more specialist island spotted skunk populations compared to more generalist island fox populations. This pattern may reflect differences in resource utilization following fine‐scale niche differentiation. It may further reflect evolutionary differences regarding the timing of intraspecific separation. Considered together, this study contributes to the growing catalog of wildlife microbiome studies, with important implications for understanding how eco‐evolutionary processes enable the coexistence of terrestrial carnivores–and their microbiomes–in island environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the skull size of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) along the eastern macroslope of the Ural Range from the forest-tundra to the steppe are analyzed. The sizes varied from minimum in the north to maximum in pre-forest-steppe pine-birch forests. Further south, the size of the skull decreased again. The average fox population density changed similarly. Based on these data, it was concluded that the sizes change in accordance with the optimum rule, and not with Bergman's rule. Probably, microevolutionary adaptations to living conditions are influenced by general factors that influence both body size and the population density of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant changes to Earth's climate in recent decades has been an increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of heatwaves. During heatwaves, animal's thermal window can be exceeded, and in extreme cases, mass mortality events have been observed. In 2018, a heatwave in north‐eastern Australia resulted in the death of approximately one‐third of the spectacled flying‐fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) population at urban roosts in Cairns. The species has now been listed as endangered with future heatwaves considered the greatest threat to its survival. In this study, we investigated long‐term climatic trends for Cairns, paying particular attention to the frequency of extreme heat events from 1943 to 2022. We then characterized the microclimate of urban flying‐fox roosts during the Austral summers of 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 across Cairns to assess the long‐term feasibility of urban spectacled flying‐fox roosts. From the long‐term climate records, we observed an overall increase in Cairns' average annual temperature of 1.3°C from 1943 to 2022 and an increase in the number of excessively hot days per decade, from 16 in the first decade (1943–1952) to 67 in the last (2013–2022). We regularly detected maximum roost temperatures of 30–35°C during our study, with excessively hot days (>35°C) recorded more frequently than expected compared to Cairns's maximum temperatures from the last decade (2013–2023). We detected only 1 day where roost temperatures exceeded 40°C and no period that replicated the 2018 heatwave conditions. Furthermore, we found a significant negative relationship between roost ambient temperature and humidity, where the hottest days also coincided with those with the lowest humidity. Importantly, we found no difference in microclimate between roosts that were occupied and unoccupied by flying‐foxes during our study, suggesting that other environmental or behavioural factors are more influential for roost selection than the roosting microclimate. Ensuring the long‐term conservation of spectacled flying‐foxes under a changing climate will require the management of urban roosts to increase their thermal resistance to heatwaves, and more research is needed to identify the variables modulating this aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Fuegian fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) is a rare inhabitant of the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago on account of: (a) It is the southernmost Canid in the world. (b) It is the second largest, heaviest, and tallest native Canid in South America. (c) It is currently scarce in northern Tierra del Fuego. (d) It may have been tamed by the Selk'nam natives. Methods and results: Based on chronicles and scientific reports we document the timeline since discovery of the distinctive and island-confined Fuegian fox. We pay attention to its patchwork distribution within the Fuegian archipelago, with populations spread on the large Tierra del Fuego Island (Fuegia) and on two smaller ones, Hoste and Gable. This fox seems to have disappeared recently from the latter and historic records from Navarino Island are dubious. We provide new distributional records and unpublished photographs. Among the socio-ecological aspects studied, we highlight the relationships of this fox with two local indigenous people: The Yahgan and the Selk´nam. Discussion: The introduction of sheep Ovis aries in 1885 and the ensuing persecution of its putative predators apparently caused the fox decline from the northern half of Fuegia. The introduction of the continental Chilla fox Lycalopex griseus in 1951 further impacted the Fuegian fox, apparently by competition for food but perhaps also by diseases. It is currently concentrated in the southern half of Tierra del Fuego Island. The possibility that the Selk'nam introduced this fox from the mainland and that they tamed it, is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents the results of the research on the epidemiological situation of the rabies virus following the vaccination campaign of the fox population in the sylvatic environment in the last 5 years on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. Both in Europe and in the Republic of Moldova, Vulpes vulpes represents in the sylvatic environment the main vector of the spread of rabies in wild and domestic animal populations. In 2019-2023 in the Republic of Moldova were registered 12 species of animals that reacted positively to the rabies virus. The most frequent cases of rabies in animals were registered in cattle, dogs, foxes, cats and constituted 93.72% of the total number of registered cases (239). Following the start in 2020 of the fox vaccination campaign, there was observed a decrease in the incidence of rabies in 2021 by 74.73%, in 2022 by 85.71% and in 2023 by 76.92% compared to 2019. The obtained data demonstrate that the application of vaccine baits by air and land has led to the immunization of wild animals and the reduction of the sick animals number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and human activities have disrupted historical fire regimes, leading to complex and far‐reaching impacts on global ecosystems. Despite extensive research in fire ecology, studies exploring vertebrate responses to megafires, and to nuanced fire characteristics, remain limited.We collected camera trap data 3–27 months following Australia's 2019–20 'Black Summer' megafires from 30 burnt sites and 10 unburnt sites. Our data included 14 animal species/groups, encompassing mammalian predators, small and medium‐sized mammals, large herbivores, and birds. We used generalised additive mixed models to assess the influence of time‐since‐the‐fires, burn status, fire severity, proportional area burnt, and vegetation type on species' activity.Models that included fire variables were well‐supported for all species. The proportional cover of low‐moderate or high‐extreme severity fire had substantial support for five species, particularly herbivores, which generally showed a preference for burnt sites but at differing fire severities. The proportional area burnt, disregarding severity, was well supported for four species. At highly burned sites fox activity peaked shortly after the fires while small to medium‐sized mammal activity increased more gradually. Vegetation type strongly influenced the response of four species to fire; in particular, wet forest birds preferred unburnt areas.Policy implications. We document variable short‐ to medium‐term responses of a range of species to fire which could help guide management interventions. We demonstrate that animal species' responses to fire are diverse and better captured using broader landscape scale fire variables. We found that species were strongly influenced by proportional area burnt, fire severity and vegetation type. Introduced foxes were attracted to recently burnt areas, so timely predator control may benefit vulnerable prey species. Wet forest species were sensitive to fires and could benefit from preservation and restoration of these habitats. Some species exploited low‐moderate severity burnt areas, while others preferred high‐severity burns. This suggests that species will face diverse challenges and opportunities in future extreme fire events. We emphasise the importance of using multi‐faceted approaches to account for the complex responses of co‐occurring species to fire events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]