Photoperiod and fur lengths in the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.)

Underwood, Larry S.; Reynolds, P. S.

doi:10.1007/bf02245540

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The initial growth of the winter fur occurs in September, and continues until early December. The winter fur is 200% thicker than the summer fur [21]. The exact mechanism of the down regulation in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Two cysteine substitutions in the MC1R generate the blue variant of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and prevent expression of the white winter coat

et al. 2005

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We have characterized two mutations in the MC1R gene of the blue variant of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) that both incorporate a novel cysteine residue into the receptor. A family study in farmed arctic foxes verified that the dominant expression of the blue color phenotype cosegregates completely with the allele harboring these two mutations. Additionally to the altered pigment synthesis, the blue fox allele suppresses the seasonal change in coat color found in the native arctic fox. Consequently, these findings suggest that the MC1R/agouti regulatory system is involved in the seasonal changes of coat color found in arctic fox.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Two cysteine substitutions in the MC1R generate the blue variant of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and prevent expression of the white winter coat

et al. 2005

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“…It seems that the overall body surface of blue fox may be better insulated. Underwood & Reynolds (1980) found that those body sites which are exposed to environment, when the Arctic fox is in curled position, have greater fur lengths in all seasons than the more protected body sites. The importance of the ventral surface as an avenue of conductive heat loss was shown in our earlier paper (Korhonen et al, 1983a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In the Arctic fox, fur length is nearly twice as long in winter as in summer. According to Underwood & Reynolds (1980) winter values of underfur on the back varies from 4 to 5 cm. These are consistent with our findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several Arctic and temperate species are seasonally dimorphic with winter pelages having better insulative values than summer ones (c.f. Hart, 1956; Underwood & Reynolds, 1980). These seasonal pelage changes have been shown to be photoperiodically controlled (c.f.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These seasonal pelage changes have been shown to be photoperiodically controlled (c.f. Bissonette & Wilson, 1939;Hammond, 1954;Rust et al, 1962;Underwood & Reynolds, 1980); decreasing day length in autumn initiates a change towards a dense winter pelage while increasing day length in spring leads to a thinner summer pelage. A thicker winter pelage affects heat loss reducing heat transfer from the body to the environment (Scholander et al, 1950).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Moulting and seasonal pelage variations in the raccoon dog

Korhonen¹,

Harri²,

Asikainen³

1984

Acta Theriol.

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A camera trap‐based assessment of climate‐driven phenotypic plasticity of seasonal moulting in an endangered carnivore

Laporte‐Devylder

Ulvund

Rød‐Eriksen

et al. 2022

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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For many species, the ability to rapidly adapt to changes in seasonality is essential for long-term survival. In the Arctic, seasonal moulting is a key life-history event that provides year-round camouflage and thermal protection. However, increased climatic variability of seasonal events can lead to phenological mismatch. In this study, we investigated whether winter-white (white morph) and winter-brown (blue morph) Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) could adjust their winter-to-summer moult to match local environmental conditions. We used camera trap images spanning an eight-year period to quantify the timing and rate of fur change in a polymorphic subpopulation in south-central Norway. Seasonal snow cover duration and temperature governed the phenology of the spring moult. We observed a later onset and longer moulting duration with decreasing temperature and longer snow season. Additionally, white foxes moulted earlier than blue in years with shorter periods of snow cover and warmer temperatures. These results suggest that phenotypic plasticity allows Arctic foxes to modulate the timing and rate of their spring moult as snow conditions and temperatures fluctuate. With the Arctic warming at an unprecedented rate, understanding the capacity of polar species to physiologically adapt to a changing environment is urgently needed in order to develop adaptive conservation efforts. Moreover, we provide the first evidence for variations in the moulting phenology of blue and white Arctic foxes. Our study underlines the different intraspecific selective pressures that can exist in populations where several morphs co-occur, and illustrates the importance of integrating morph-based differences in future management strategies of such polymorphic species.

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Photoperiod and fur lengths in the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.)

Abstract: :.

Cited by 27 publications

References 11 publications

Two cysteine substitutions in the MC1R generate the blue variant of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and prevent expression of the white winter coat

Two cysteine substitutions in the MC1R generate the blue variant of the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and prevent expression of the white winter coat

Moulting and seasonal pelage variations in the raccoon dog

A camera trap‐based assessment of climate‐driven phenotypic plasticity of seasonal moulting in an endangered carnivore

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