Faeces count as an index of fox abundance

• Autorzy: Cavallini P.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Faeces were collected monthly along transects in 9 areas of the Pisa province, central Italy, from April 1992 to March 1993 (total km walked = 982). An index of fox abundance (n of faeces per km) was computed. It was negatively influenced by rainfall in the 20 days preceding the transect, but was unrelated to the percentage of plant material in the diet. Differences among areas (averages from 0.338 to 2.966 faeces per km) were significant (p < 0.0001) and consistent throughout the year, Faeces were randomly distributed along the transects. The index may therefore provide an efficient and inexpensive method to evaluate relative abundance of foxes, but compari­sons should include only areas and periods with similar rainfall. Seasonal population fluctuations are not detectable. Best results may be obtained when rainfall in the 20 days preceding the transect did not exceed 50 mm.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

red fox; Italy; Vulpes vulpes; abundance index; feces counting; fox

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 1994
• Tom: 39
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.417-424,fig.

Twórcy

autor

Cavallini P.

• University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy

Bibliografia

• Allen S. H. and Sargeant A. B. 1993. Dispersal patterns of red foxes relative to population density. J. Wildl. Manage. 57: 526-533.
• Andelt W. F. and Andelt S. II. 1984. Diet bias in scat deposition-rate surveys of coyote density. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 12: 74-77.
• Andelt W. F,, Harris C. E. and Knowlton F. F. 1985, Prior trap experience might bias coyote responses to scent stations. SWest. Nat. 30: 317-318.
• Bang P. and Dahlstrom P, 1974. Animal tracks and signs. Collins, London; 1-235.
• Beltran J. F., Delibes M. and Rau J. R. 1991. Methods of censusing red fox (Vulpes vulpes) popu­lations. Hystrix 3: 199-214.
• Cavallini P. 1994. Variations in the biology of the red fox Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus). Ph. D. thesis, University of Siena: 1-120.
• Cavallini P. and Lovari S. 1991. Environmental factors influencing the use of habitat in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758). J. Zool., Lond. 223: 323-339.
• Cavallini P. and Lovari S. 1994. Home range, habitat selection and activity of the red fox in a Mediterranean coastal ecotone. Acta theriol. 39: 279-287.
• Ciampalini B. and Lovari S. 1985. Food habits and trophic niche overlap of the badger (Meles meles L.) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) in a Mediterranean coastal area. Z. Saugetierk. 50: 226-234.
• Coman B. J., Robinson J. and Beaumont C. 1991. Home range, dispersal and density of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) in Central Victoria. Wildl. Res. 18: 215-223.
• Goszczyński J. 1989. Population dynamics of the red fox in central Poland. Acta theriol. 34: 141-154.
• Goszczyński J. 1990. Scent marking by red foxes in Central Poland during the winter season. Acta theriol. 35: 7-16.
• Harris S. 1981. An estimation of the number of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the city of Bristol, and some possible factors affecting their distribution. J. Appl. Ecol. 18: 455-465.
• Harris S. and Rayner J. M. V. 1986a. A discriminant analysis of the current distribution of urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Britain. J. Anim. Eco!. 55: 605-611.
• Harris S. and Rayner J. M, V, 1986b. Urban fox (Vulpes vulpes) population estimates and habitat requirements in several British cities. J. Anim. Ecol. 55: 575-591,
• Hatcher R. T. and Shaw J. H. 1981. A comparison of three indices to furbearer populations. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 9: 153-156.
• Hewson R. 1984. Changes in the numbers of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Scotland, J. Zool,, Lond. 204: 561-569.
• Hewson R. 1986. Distribution and density of fox breeding dens and the effects of management. J. Appl. Ecol. 23: 531-538.
• Insley H. 1977. An estimate of the population density of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the New Forest, Hampshire. J. Zool., Lond. 183: 549-553.
• Kolb H. H. 1982. Red fox (Scotland). [In: CRC handbook of census methods for terrestrial vertebrates. D. E. Davis, edl. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida: 231.
• Kolb H. H. and Hewson R. 1980, A study of fox populations in Scotland from 1971 to 1976. J. Appl. Ecol. 17; 7-19.
• Kruuk H. and Parish T. 1981. Feeding specialization of the European badger Meles meles in Scotland. J. Anim. Ecol. 50: 773-788.
• Lindstrom E. 1991. Pattern of spread and effects of sarcoptic mange among red fox populations in Sweden. [In: Global trends in wildlife management. Trans. 18th IUGB Congress, 1987. B. Bobek, K. Perzanowski and W. L. Regelin, edsl. Świat Press, Krakow-Warszawa: 591-595.
• Lloyd H. G. 1968. The control of foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.). Ann. Appl. Biol. 61: 334-345.
• Levari S., Valier P. and Ricci Lucchi M. 1994. Ranging behaviour and activity of red foxes in relation to environmental variables, in a Mediterranean mixed pinewood. J. Zool., Lond. 232: 323-339.
• Macdonald D. W. 1980. Patterns of scent marking with urine and faeces amongst carnivore communities. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond. 45: 107-139.
• Marlow N. J. 1992. The ecology of the introduced red fox (Vulpes uulpes) in the arid zone. Ph. D. thesis, University of New South Wales, Australia: 1-171.
• Meia J.-S. and Weber J.-M, 1992. Characteristics and distribution of breeding dens of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a mountainous habitat. Z. Saugetierk. 57: 137-143.
• Page R. J. C. 1981. Dispersal and population density of the fox (Vulpes vulpes) in an area of London. J. Zool., Lond. 194: 485-491.
• Phillips R. L. 1982. Red fox (U.S.). [In: CRC handbook of census methods for terrestrial vertebrates. D. E. Davis, edl. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida; 229.
• Pulliainen E, 1981. A transect survey of small land carnivore and red fox populations on a subarctic fell in Finnish Forest Lapland over 13 winters. Ann. zool. Fenn. 18: 270-278.
• Rau J. R., Delibes M., Ruiz J. and Servin J. I. 1985. Estimating the abundance of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in SW Spain. Proc. 17th Congress of the International Union of Game Biologists, Brussels: 869-876.
• Ryszkowski L., Wagner C. K., Goszczyński J. and Truszkowski J. 1971. Operation of predators in a forest and cultivated fields. Ann. zool. Fenn. 8: 160-168.
• Servin J,, Rau J. R. and Delibes M. 1987. Use of radio tracking to improve the estimation by track counts of the relative abundance of red fox. Acta theriol. 32: 489-492.
• Stahl P. 1990. Suivi de t'abondance d'une population de renards (Vulpes vulpes) par comptages nocturnes: evaluation de la méthode. Gibier Faune Sauvage 7: 293-309.
• Stahl P. and Migot P. 1990. Variabilité et sensibilité d'un Índice d'abondance obtenu par comptages nocturnes chez le renard (Vulpes vulpes). Gibier Faune Sauvage 7: 311-323.
• Weber J. M., Aubry S., Lachat N,, Meia J.-S., Mermod C. and Paratte A. 1991, Fluctuations and behaviour of foxes determined by nightlighting. Preliminary results. Acta theriol. 36: 285-291.