A Swift Fox, Vulpes Velox Velox (Say), from Western Kansas

Martin, E; Sternberg, George F.

doi:10.2307/3626102

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Beginning in the late 1950s, Swift Fox populations showed signs of natural recovery in the United States as observations were being reported with increasing frequency in core areas of the species' historical range (e.g., Martin and Sternberg 1955;Glass 1956;Anderson and Nelson 1958;Andersen and Fleharty 1964;Long 1965). This trend has continued in some parts of the species' range (Sovada and Scheick 1999*).…”

Section: Historical Rangementioning

confidence: 74%

Historical Range, Current Distribution, and Conservation Status of the Swift Fox, <em>Vulpes velox</em>, in North America

2009

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The Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) was once common in the shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies of the Great Plains of North America. The species' abundance declined and its distribution retracted following European settlement of the plains. By the late 1800s, the species had been largely extirpated from the northern portion of its historical range, and its populations were acutely depleted elsewhere. Swift Fox populations have naturally recovered somewhat since the 1950s, but overall abundance and distribution remain below historical levels. In a 1995 assessment of the species' status under the US Endangered Species Act, the US Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that a designation of threatened or endangered was warranted, but the species was "precluded from listing by higher listing priorities." A major revelation of the 1995 assessment was the recognition that information useful for determining population status was limited. Fundamental information was missing, including an accurate estimate of the species' distribution before European settlement and an estimate of the species' current distribution and trends. The objectives of this paper are to fill those gaps in knowledge. Historical records were compiled and, in combination with knowledge of the habitat requirements of the species, the historical range of the Swift Fox is estimated to be approximately 1.5 million km 2 . Using data collected between 2001 and 2006, the species' current distribution is estimated to be about 44% of its historical range in the United States and 3% in Canada. Under current land use, approximately 39% of the species' historical range contains grassland habitats with very good potential for Swift Fox occupation and another 10% supports grasslands with characteristics that are less preferred (e.g., a sparse shrub component or taller stature) but still suitable. Additionally, land use on at least 25% of the historical range supports dryland farming, which can be suitable for Swift Fox occupation. In the United States, approximately 52% of highest quality habitats currently available are occupied by Swift Foxes.

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Section: Historical Rangementioning

confidence: 74%