Habitat Use and Movements of Desert Kit Foxes in Western Arizona

Zoellick, Bruce W.; Smith, Norman S.; Henry, Robert S.

doi:10.2307/3809595

Cited by 25 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…whereas natal dens had the highest vegetation and most shrub cover surrounding the den. Zoellick et al (1989) demonstrated that natal kit fox dens had low surrounding vegetation heights to maximize the probability of detecting approaching predators. Alternatively, it is possible that taller vegetation surrounding natal dens provides concealment from predators and a higher concentration of invertebrate prey items (Pruss 1999) such as grasshoppers (Acrididae), beetles (Coleoptera), and Mormon crickets (Anabrus spp.).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of current and historical kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) dens in the Great Basin Desert

Arjo¹,

Bennett²,

Kozlowski³

2003

Can. J. Zool.

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Abstract:We examined the ecological and physical characteristics of den sites for 13 adult kit fox (Vulpes macmtis) in westem Utah from December 1998 to February 2001. We also compared current and historical den distribution among habitat types. The number of den sites used was not influenced by home-range size (P = 0.11) or season (P = 0.40), but was influenced by geographical area. Home-range size was smallest (P = 0.007) and the number of dens used was greatest (P = 0.009) in mountainous areas. Ecological and physical characteristics of single-use dens (n = 30) were compared with those of multiple-use (n = 53) and natal dens (n = 8). Characteristics that differed between den types included number of entrances (P = 0,0001). diameter of entrances (P = 0.003), and height of vegetation along transects ( P = 0.0001). Natal den entrance azimuths were weighted towards a northwesterly aspect ( P = 0.0022); however, single-and multipleuse den exits appeared to be randomly distributed. Historical changes in kit fox den site selection have occurred since 1959 (P < 0.0001). We characterized more dens in invasive grasslands and fewer in greasewood (Sarcobarus vermiculatus) habitats than previously described. The conversion of native habitat to grassland and the increase in coyote population may have altered kit fox distribution to include mountainous areas not previously described.Resume : Nous avons etudie les caracteristiques ecologiques et physiques des sites occupCs par les terriers de 13 renards nains (Vulpe.7 rnacrotis) adultes dans I'ouest de I'Utah, de decembre I998 a fevrier 2001. Nous avons tgalement compart la rtpartition actuelle des terriers en fonction des divers habitats 2 leur repartition dans le passe. Le nombre de sites occupes par des terriers n'est pas influence par la taille du domaine vital (P = 0.1 1). ni par la saison (P = 0.40). mais plutdt par la region geographique. C'est en zone montagneuse que nous avons trouve les domaines les plus restreints (P = 0,007) et le nombre de temers occupes le plus grand ( P = 0,009). Les caracteristiques ecologiques et physiques des terriers occupis une seule fois (n = 30) ont CtC comparies B celles des terriers utilists a plusieurs reprises (n = 53) et a celles des temers natals (n = 8). Les sites varient par le nombre (P = 0,0001) et le diametre (P = 0,003) des entrees et par la hauteur de la dgetation le long de transects ( P = 0,0001). Les azimuts de I'entree d'un terrier natal ont tendance 2 s'orienter vers le nord-ouest ( P = 0,0022); cependant, les sorties des temers a utilisation unique ou multiple semblent reparties aMatoirement. Depuis 1959, les renards on1 modifit leur choix d'habitat pour etablir leur terrier ( P < 0,0001). Nous awns trouve plus de nids dans les prairies herbeuses qui envahissent la region et moins dans les zones de sarcobates vermiculCs (Sarcobarus vermiculatus) qu'auparavant. Ce son1 probablement la conversion de I'habitat indigene en terrain herbeux et I'augmentation de la population de coyotes qui ont Ctendu la repartition des rena...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of current and historical kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) dens in the Great Basin Desert

Arjo¹,

Bennett²,

Kozlowski³

2003

Can. J. Zool.

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“…), yet the relationship between fox density and small mammal abundance has rarely been examined. Kit fox home ranges tend to be small and they overlap in areas with large abundant prey such as leporids (O'Neal et al 1987, Zoellick et al 1989, White and Walls 1993, but home ranges are large and ' --exclusive when small nocturnal rodents are the primary prey source (Zoellick and Smith 1992).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Kit Fox–coyote–prey Relationships in the Great Basin Desert, Utah

Arjo¹,

Gese²,

Bennett³

et al. 2007

Western North American Naturalist

111

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“…Previous telemetric studies of carnivores have estimated location using either two bearings (O'Farrell and Gilbertson, 1979;Laundre" and Keller, 1981;Hardenbrook, 1987;and Zoellick et al, 1987) or three bearings (Lawhead, 1984;Grenier, 1991;Zoellick et al, 1989;and Zoellick and Smith, 1992). In the absence of error, the two methods should yield similar results, but two-bearing locations are subject to greater error.…”

Section: Figure 6-2 Frequency Distribution Of Telemetry Bearing Errormentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Kit foxes prefer the arid climate and open scrubland of the deserts of the southwest (Egoscue, 1956 andLaughrin, 1970;Zoellick et al, 1989). Dens are situated in areas of creosote bush associations and shadscale flats with herbaceous cover ranging from 2.25-10.5% (Hardenbrook, 1987).…”

Section: Preferred Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Low-Altitude Aircraft Overflights on the Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) and its Small Mammal Prey on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona, 1991-1994

Bowles¹,

Francine²,

Yaeger³

et al. 1995

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Devis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 222024302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (07040188), Washington, DC 20503. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank)2. REPORT DATE February 1995 REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVEREDFinal -November 1990 to February 1995 TITLE AND SUBTITLEEffects of Low-Altitude Aircraft Overflights on the Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) and its Small Mammal Prey on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona, 1991-1994 Ann E. Bowles,%hn Francine,*Samantha Wisely,*! Scott Yaegef*;*Lee McClenaghan Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Hubbs 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)There has been public concern that wildlife could be affected by military training activities. Of particular interest was the hypothesis that noise from military aircraft would disrupt the ecological balance between predator and prey by giving one or the other an advantage. To gauge these effects, this study was conducted under an Air Force Range in an area receiving levels of exposure higher than normally encountered under a Military Training Route. A nearby control site was exposed to much lower levels of noise. Noise monitors recorded actual exposure, and hearing of one heteromyid species, the kangaroo rat, was measured in situ. A total of 14,455 trap-nights were spent monitoring nocturnal small mammal communities on exposed and control plots. Rodent species diversity, numbers, reproductive activity, recruitment, mean weights, and survival were measured. The kit fox, a predator, was also examined. Although differences were uncovered between kit fox and smal mammal populations between the control and exposed areas, none was large, and none was at odds with the most parsimonious natural explanations. If the effects observed are assumed to be the result of aircraft noise exposure, the consequences to rodents and fox populations were smaller in magnitude than the natural variability observed during the course of the study.14. SUBJECT TERMS acoustics, noise effects, noise impacts, ecological balance, desert kit fox Reproductive activity in male (top) and female (bottom) Chaetodipus penicillatus on exposed and control plots on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona. ... 81 igure 5-10 Seasonal rates of recruitment for Dipodomys merriami on exposed and control plots on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona 82 igure 5-11 Seasonal rates of recruitment for Perognath...

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Habitat Use and Movements of Desert Kit Foxes in Western Arizona

Cited by 25 publications

References 9 publications

Characteristics of current and historical kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) dens in the Great Basin Desert

Characteristics of current and historical kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) dens in the Great Basin Desert

Changes in Kit Fox–coyote–prey Relationships in the Great Basin Desert, Utah

Effects of Low-Altitude Aircraft Overflights on the Desert Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) and its Small Mammal Prey on the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range, Arizona, 1991-1994

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