Population genetic structure of the urban fox in Sapporo, northern Japan

Abstract

In some countries, the red fox Vulpes vulpes has been rapidly expanding its range into urban and suburban areas, where it is referred to as the 'urban fox'. In the city of Sapporo, northern Japan, the population of urban foxes has been increasing since the 1990s. Because the red fox carries several zoonoses, it is important to understand its population structure and migration status in urban areas, for not only basic biology but also public health. In this study, to clarify population genetic structure and gene flow, we examined the genotypes of nine microsatellite loci for 578 road-killed foxes collected in and around residential areas of Sapporo from 2002 to 2014 (except for 2009 and 2010). Based on the genotype data and spatial information for the sampled animals, we detected three subpopulations within the urban fox population. Boundaries separating the three subpopulations were a river and a railway crossing in central Sapporo. The subpopulations separated by the railway were more genetically differentiated than those separated by the river, and the railway, which is surrounded by crowded roads, may have had a greater effect on gene flow and genetic differentiation. Levels of genetic differentiation among the subpopulations in Sapporo, however, were lower than those of urban fox populations studied in other countries. Our results suggest that there is weak gene flow among the subpopulations in Sapporo.

Habitat suitability as an indicator of urbanisation potential in four UK mammals

“…Habitat suitability patterns of foxes in Greater London show a clear distinction from hedgehogs, with highest suitability in the urban centre. This pattern is also observed in other cities in the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Switzerland and Japan, where foxes were found throughout urban areas, including the centre (Harris & Trewhella 1988, Cignini & Riga 1997, Marks & Bloomfield 1999, Gloor et al 2001, Kato et al 2017. Similarly, grey squirrels also have the highest habitat suitability in the centre of Greater London, but the hotspot is much smaller than that of foxes.…”

“…2001, Kato et al. 2017). Similarly, grey squirrels also have the highest habitat suitability in the centre of Greater London, but the hotspot is much smaller than that of foxes.…”

Red foxes in Japan show adaptability in prey resource according to geography and season: A meta‐analysis

“…Foxes in Japan demonstrate the adaptability to food resources that would be expected given their success as a globally widespread mesopredator. This adaptability has meant that foxes have been able to colonize urban areas (Andrewartha et al, 2021; Harris & Rayner, 1986; Ikeda et al, 2014; Kato et al, 2017; Parsons et al, 2020; Stepkovitch et al, 2019; Tsukada et al, 2000; Uraguchi et al, 2009; Walter et al, 2018). It has also meant that foxes have been incredibly successful as exotic pest species, becoming one of the primary causes of devastating mammal species declines and losses in Australia (Fairfax, 2018).…”

Colonization of Warsaw by the red fox Vulpes vulpes in the years 1976–2019

“…Previous molecular studies on colonization of urban habitats by the red fox showed that the process starts usually from a few locations near the city borders and spreads gradually into its central parts 60 , 61 . The red fox movements through the city can be affected by human-made infrastructures 62 , like railways 63 , roads 62 , 64 , 65 . Densely built-up areas are usually avoided by foxes 14 , 62 , while specific migration corridors like roadside or railway vegetation 62 , 66 will facilitate the process.…”