Phylogenetic status and diet of red fox (Vulpes vulpes griffithii) inhabiting Ayubia National Park, Pakistan

Abstract

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a medium-sized carnivore that occurs in different regions of Pakistan, however, still lacks scientific data on its ecology and distribution. The current study investigated the phylogenetic status and diet of the red fox (V.v. griffithii) occurring in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Through camera trapping and molecular analysis, we confirmed the occurrence of red fox in the study area. Based on mitochondrial cytochrome B (304 bp) and limited sampling, nearly all red foxes of Ayubia National Park and surrounding Himalayan ranges fall within Holarctic maternal lineage, whereas red foxes found in plains of Pakistan are part of the basal Palearctic maternal lineage. Using 32 scats, we found that red fox diet comprises of 80% animal-based prey species (both wild and domestic) and 19% plant matter. The wild animal prey species included Cape hare (Lepus capensis) and flying squirrel (Pteromyini sp.), which constituted 17% and 15% of diet, respectively. Red foxes infrequently consumed House mouse (Mus musculus), Himalayan Palm civet (Paguma larvata) and sheep (Ovis aries), each comprising around 6% to 9% of red fox diet. The fox species also scavenged on domestic donkey opportunistically. Based on our sampling, our study suggests that the red fox (V.v. griffithii) that occurs in Ayubia National Park and across the lesser Himalayan ranges belongs to Holarctic maternal lineage. The study also highlights consumption of plant seeds by red foxes, indicating it may play an important ecological role in seed dispersal in Ayubia National Park.

A Case Series and Literature Review of Alveolar Echinococcosis in Kashmir, India: An Emerging Endemic Zone for Echinococcus multilocularis

“…The clinical profiles of our patients with AE were distinctive. The liver was the primary site of involvement in all 12 cases and presented as liver masses on abdominal ultrasonography [1,66]. Ultrasound is cheap, noninvasive, widely available, and accurate in detecting liver masses.…”

“…The Kashmir red fox [Vulpes vulpes griffithii] is Kashmir's most widespread wild canid. It is distributed across the Great Himalayas, Pir Panjal, and Zabarwan ranges of mountains, including Dachigam Park [66,[81][82][83]. They feed on voles, mice, rabbits, and other vegetable items [11,66].…”

“…It is distributed across the Great Himalayas, Pir Panjal, and Zabarwan ranges of mountains, including Dachigam Park [66,[81][82][83]. They feed on voles, mice, rabbits, and other vegetable items [11,66]. Thus, the Kashmir red fox population density determines the sylvatic cycle of E. multilocularis in Kashmir.…”