Seasonal diets of red foxes in a boreal forest with a dense population of moose: the importance of winter scavenging

• Autorzy: Needham R. , Odden M. , Lundstadsveen S. K. , Wegge P.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

In Scandinavia, an increased red fox Vulpes vulpes density during the last decades has been suggested to be caused by direct and indirect human influences on food availability. Recently, attention has been focused on the role of increasing scavenging opportunities due to intensified hunting of ungulates and the reestablishment of large carnivores. In our study, we investigated seasonal and annual variations in diet composition of red fox in Varaldskogen, SE Norway, an area with cyclic voles and a high density of moose Alces alces. Analyses of scats revealed significant differences among seasons in the occurrence of ungulates—mainly moose—and ungulates were the dominating food category during winter (44.9 % of all remains). Snow tracking of red fox (71 km) in winter confirmed the importance of ungulate carcasses, i.e. one case of scavenging per 3 km. The proportions of voles were high during all seasons (11.2–28.8 %); in spite of variation in available abundances, no significant seasonal or annual differences were detected. Other food categories with seasonal variation were birds, berries/seeds and amphibians/reptiles, all more common in snow-free seasons. Our study underlines the importance of ungulate remains during periods when the abundance and diversity of alternative food sources is low. Increased and stabilized populations of red foxes—mediated through remains from hunting and wolf kills from high moose populations—might have an important effect on the population dynamics of small game. Hence, we recommend that this relationship be given attention in future studies.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

animal diet; seasonal diet; red fox; boreal forest; dense population; animal population; moose; winter scavenging; scat analysis; carrion; foraging

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 2014
• Tom: 59
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.391-398,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Needham R.

• Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, U.K.

autor

Odden M.

• Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, 2480, Koppang, Norway

autor

Lundstadsveen S. K.

• Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, As, Norway

autor

Wegge P.

• Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, As, Norway

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Identyfikatory

DOI

10.1007/s13364-014-0188-7