Ecology of a versatile canid in the Neotropics: gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in Belize, Central America

Harmsen, Bart J.; Sanchez, Emma; Figueroa, Omar Alfredo; Gutierrez, Said M.; Doncaster, C. Patrick; Foster, Rebecca J.

doi:10.1007/s13364-018-00413-2

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 34 publications

(57 reference statements)

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“…Deciduous, mixed forest, and total forest cover The total size of each of wet forest, deciduous forest, and mixed forest, from Homer et al (2020) Grey foxes are often associated with various forest habitats (Allen et al, 2021;Borchert, 2012;Davis et al, 2011;Harmsen et al, 2019) p Deciduous, mixed forest, and total forest edge…”

Section: Coyote Abundancementioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling the distribution and intraguild associations of an understudied mesocarnivore across the contiguous United States

Allen

Green

Moll

2022

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Understanding the range‐wide distribution and abundance of species is critical for their conservation and management. Grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are an understudied, low‐density mesocarnivore with a broad geographic range. However, the factors that underlie this broad distribution are poorly understood and large‐scale analyses of this species’ range and ecological niche are lacking. Location We modelled the probability and intensity of site use for grey foxes at two spatial scales using a coordinated survey of 1485 camera traps across the contiguous United States in 2019. Methods We used Bayesian occupancy modelling and post hoc species interaction comparisons to evaluate factors hypothesized to affect grey fox site use, including habitat, anthropogenic effects, and intraguild interactions. Results Our results showed that the presence of bobcats (Lynx rufus) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), as well as forest variables, had positive associations with grey fox site use. Surprisingly, we found no support for negative effects on grey fox space use from dominant competitors (coyotes, Canis latrans, or pumas, Puma concolor), and a complete lack of effects from urbanization metrics and gross primary productivity. We did, however, find a consistent negative association with red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which is the most ecologically and morphologically similar competitor of grey foxes. Main conclusions Taken together, these results imply that grey fox distribution is not limited by dominant carnivores or anthropogenic pressure. Rather, this species seems to occupy a unique niche across its broad range by exploiting diverse forest habitats shared with less ecologically similar competitors (striped skunks and raccoons, Procyon lotor), while being somewhat limited by a competitor occupying a similar ecological niche (red foxes). Our study highlights the value of broad‐scale approaches for evaluating factors influencing the distribution and abundance of understudied species, as local dynamics might fail to manifest across geographic ranges.

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Section: Coyote Abundancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grey foxes are associated with a diversity of habitats throughout their range, with the one constant being a positive correlation with forested areas (Allen et al, 2021). Grey foxes often use forests that are open (Borchert, 2012) and have a preference for edge habitat (Davis et al, 2011;Harmsen et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the distribution and intraguild associations of an understudied mesocarnivore across the contiguous United States

Allen

Green

Moll

2022

Diversity and Distributions

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“…Several studies found weak or no association with forest-related covariates including forest cover (Rich et al 2018), canopy cover (Davis et al 2011;Reed 2011), distance to nearest forest (LeFlore et al 2019), or basal area (Barrett et al 2012) perhaps reflecting insufficient covariate variability within the study area or regional variation in habitat associations. Results from several studies suggest that these foxes may use more open forest environments (Barrett et al 2012;Borchert 2012), edge habitats (Davis et al 2011;Deuel et al 2017;Harmsen et al 2019;Pearman-Gillman et al 2020), and heterogenous landscapes (Cooper et al 2012;Lesmeister et al 2015; but see Constible et al 2006). Despite the methodological variation across studies, our review highlights the importance of forest environments for Grey Foxes across their range.…”

Section: Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Limitations of current knowledge about the ecology of Grey Foxes hamper conservation efforts

et al. 2021

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Species-specific conservation is important for maintaining the integrity of ecological communities but is dependent on sufficiently understanding multiple aspects of a species’ ecology. Species-specific data are commonly lacking for species in geographic areas with little research and species perceived to have insufficient charisma or economic importance. Despite their widespread distribution across central and North America and status as a furbearing mammal, little is known about the ecology of Grey Foxes Urocyon cinereoargenteus compared to other species of furbearing mammals. To understand what is known about this species, especially factors affecting population dynamics, we performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We found 234 studies about Grey Foxes, with studies increasing substantially over time but with geographic gaps in the Great Plains and most of Mexico and central America. Most studies we reviewed examined relative abundance or occupancy (n= 35), habitat associations (n= 30), primarily as part of larger mammalian community studies, or spatiotemporal effects of other mammalian carnivores (n= 19), predominately Coyote Canis latrans. Grey Foxes were primarily forest-associated although associations with specific forest communities or anthropogenically disturbed habitats varied among studies. Multiple studies across ecoregions reported this fox as among both the most- and least-abundant mammalian carnivore. The inter-specific effects of Coyote were often, but not exclusively, negative and were likely mediated by landscape composition and human development. Importantly, very few studies examined population-effects of coyotes on Grey Foxes. Studies of population trends, demographics, and space use of Grey Foxes were comparatively rare and small inter- and intra-study sample sizes limited our ability to infer broader patterns. We suggest multiple avenues for future research to better understand the population status of this species throughout their range.

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“…Cotton rat predators in this region include mesocarnivores, raptors, and snakes 25 . Mesocarnivores include coyotes ( Canis latrans ), foxes ( Vulpes vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus ), raccoons ( Procyon lotor ), Virginia opossums ( Didelphis virginiana ), nine-banded armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus ), striped skunks ( Mephitis mephitis ), and bobcats ( Lynx rufus ), although opossums, armadillos, and skunks are unlikely to present much risk to cotton rats 26,39–42 . The snake community in this region is diverse.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mesocarnivores affect hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) body mass

Morris

Conner

2019

Sci Rep

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Predator communities are changing worldwide: large carnivores are declining while mesocarnivores (medium-sized mammalian predators) are increasing in number and ecological influence. Predator choice of prey is not random and different predators select prey with different characteristics. Changes in predator communities can change predation patterns experienced by prey. Little is known about how mesocarnivore communities influence prey morphology. We used 14 years of mark-recapture data to investigate how mesocarnivore exclusion affected body mass of hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). Finding adult male cotton rats were 9% heavier with mesocarnivore exclusion, we developed hypotheses to explain this observation. Greater adult male body mass in exclosures resulted from: (1) a non-significant trend of increased survival of large males, (2) faster juvenile male growth during the fall and a similar non-significant trend among adult males, and (3) spatial partitioning by size among males. Taxa-specific predation rates (i.e., rates of predation by snakes, raptors, or mesocarnivores) did not differ among male body mass classes. Mesocarnivores disproportionately preyed on large females while raptors targeted small females, but female body mass was not influenced by mesocarnivore exclusion. Changes in predator communities can result in multiple small effects that collectively result in large differences in prey morphology.

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Ecology of a versatile canid in the Neotropics: gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) in Belize, Central America

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

Modelling the distribution and intraguild associations of an understudied mesocarnivore across the contiguous United States

Modelling the distribution and intraguild associations of an understudied mesocarnivore across the contiguous United States

Limitations of current knowledge about the ecology of Grey Foxes hamper conservation efforts

Mesocarnivores affect hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) body mass

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