Publications

prevalence and genotype identification of toxoplasma gondii in wild animals from southwestern spain.	we used pcr to detect toxoplasma gondii in the principal game species in southwestern spain. we detected t. gondii in 32.2% of animals tested. prevalences varied from 14.7% in wild boar (sus scrofa) to 51.2% in red fox (vulpes vulpes). the most prevalent genotype was type ii (50.0%), followed by type iii (20.6%) and type i (5.9%). mixed infections (11.8%) were detected in wild boar (types i+iii) and red fox (types ii+iii). polymorphic strains (11.8%) were detected in several species. the high pr ...	2015	25375939
molecular identification of sarcocystis rileyi sporocysts in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procyonoides) in lithuania.	despite the fact that sarcocystis rileyi is one of the earliest described species of the genus sarcocystis forming macrocysts in ducks, the life cycle of this species is still unknown in europe. sarcocystis spp. oocysts/sporocysts were observed in faeces of four of 23 (17.4 %) and in small intestine mucosal scrapings of four of 20 (20.0 %) red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and in small intestine mucosal scrapings of seven of 13 (53.8 %) raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procyonoides) hunted in lithuania. a very ...	2015	25656464
is the red fox (vulpes vulpes) a competent definitive host for taenia multiceps?	shepherd and stray dogs are thought to represent the primary definitive hosts of coenurosis by taenia multiceps, due to their feeding habits which translate into high chances of coming into contact with infected intermediate hosts. nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the red fox (vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of coenurosis. in fact a knowledge gap exists on the role played by red foxes in the epidemiology of taenia multiceps and the capability of this parasite to prod ...	2015	26407896
an investigation of red fox (vulpes vulpes) and eurasian badger (meles meles) scavenging, scattering, and removal of deer remains: forensic implications and applications.	within northwest europe, especially the united kingdom, the red fox (vulpes vulpes) and the eurasian badger (meles meles) are the largest wild scavengers capable of modifying a set of remains through scavenging. knowledge of region-specific and species-typical scavenging behaviors of scavengers within the crime scene area and surroundings can aid in more efficient and accurate interpretations. the scavenging behaviors of captive and wild foxes and badgers were recorded and compared through actua ...	2015	25065997
rough-legged buzzards, arctic foxes and red foxes in a tundra ecosystem without rodents.	small rodents with multi-annual population cycles strongly influence the dynamics of food webs, and in particular predator-prey interactions, across most of the tundra biome. rodents are however absent from some arctic islands, and studies on performance of arctic predators under such circumstances may be very instructive since rodent cycles have been predicted to collapse in a warming arctic. here we document for the first time how three normally rodent-dependent predator species-rough-legged b ...	2015	25692786
interference competition: odours of an apex predator and conspecifics influence resource acquisition by red foxes.	apex predators can impact smaller predators via lethal effects that occur through direct killing, and non-lethal effects that arise when fear-induced behavioural and physiological changes reduce the fitness of smaller predators. a general outcome of asymmetrical competition between co-existing predator species is that larger predators tend to suppress the abundances of smaller predators. here, we investigate interference effects that an apex predator, the dingo (canis dingo), has on the acquisit ...	2015	26296332
experimentally derived δ¹³c and δ¹⁵n discrimination factors for gray wolves and the impact of prior information in bayesian mixing models.	stable isotope analysis of diet has become a common tool in conservation research. however, the multiple sources of uncertainty inherent in this analysis framework involve consequences that have not been thoroughly addressed. uncertainty arises from the choice of trophic discrimination factors, and for bayesian stable isotope mixing models (simms), the specification of prior information; the combined effect of these aspects has not been explicitly tested. we used a captive feeding study of gray ...	2015	25803664
top-predator control-induced trophic cascades: an alternative hypothesis to the conclusion of colman et al.	colman et al. (2014 proc. r. soc. b 281, 20133094. (doi:10.1098/rspb.2013.3094)) recently argued that observed positive relationships between dingoes and small mammals were a result of top-down processes whereby lethal dingo control reduced dingoes and increased mesopredators and herbivores, which then suppressed small mammals. here, i show that the prerequisite negative effects of dingo control on dingoes were not shown, and that the same positive relationships observed may simply represent wel ...	2015	25473006
impacts of mesopredator control on conservation of mesopredators and their prey.	declining large carnivore populations, increased habitat fragmentation, declining interests in fur trapping, and other anthropogenic factors can all lead to increased mesopredator populations and these may negatively impact biodiversity. lethal mesopredator control potentially mitigates some of these effects but can be controversial, largely because impacts on mesopredator populations have not been evaluated. estimating these impacts may reduce controversies while increasing our understanding of ...	2015	26361211
revisiting the concept of behavior patterns in animal behavior with an example from food-caching sequences in wolves (canis lupus), coyotes (canis latrans), and red foxes (vulpes vulpes).	we discuss the history, conceptualization, and relevance of behavior patterns in modern ethology by explaining the evolution of the concepts of fixed action patterns and modal action patterns. we present the movement toward a more flexible concept of natural action sequences with significant degrees of (production and expressive) freedom. an example is presented with the food caching behavior of three canidae species: red fox (vulpes vulpes), coyote (canis latrans) and gray wolf (canis lupus). e ...	2015	25446624
a continental scale trophic cascade from wolves through coyotes to foxes.	top-down processes, via the direct and indirect effects of interspecific competitive killing (no consumption of the kill) or intraguild predation (consumption of the kill), can potentially influence the spatial distribution of terrestrial predators, but few studies have demonstrated the phenomenon at a continental scale. for example, in north america, grey wolves canis lupus are known to kill coyotes canis latrans, and coyotes, in turn, may kill foxes vulpes spp., but the spatial effects of thes ...	2015	24930631
first detection of sarcoptes scabiei from domesticated pig (sus scrofa) and genetic characterization of s. scabiei from pet, farm and wild hosts in israel.	in this report we describe for the first time the detection of sarcoptes scabiei type suis mites on domestic pigs in israel and examine its genetic variation compared with s. sabiei from other hosts. microscopic examination of skin samples from s. scabiei-infested pigs (sus scrofa domesticus) revealed all developmental stages of s. scabiei. to detect genetic differences between s. scabiei from different hosts, samples obtained from pig, rabbits (orictolagus cuniculus), fox (vulpes vulpes), jacka ...	2015	26002310
ongoing unraveling of a continental fauna: decline and extinction of australian mammals since european settlement.	the highly distinctive and mostly endemic australian land mammal fauna has suffered an extraordinary rate of extinction (>10% of the 273 endemic terrestrial species) over the last ∼200 y: in comparison, only one native land mammal from continental north america became extinct since european settlement. a further 21% of australian endemic land mammal species are now assessed to be threatened, indicating that the rate of loss (of one to two extinctions per decade) is likely to continue. australia' ...	2015	25675493
is it necessary managing carnivores to reverse the decline of endangered prey species? insights from a removal experiment of mesocarnivores to benefit demographic parameters of the pyrenean capercaillie.	mesopredator control has long been used to alleviate the effect of elevated predation pressure on vulnerable, threatened or valuable species. however, the convenience of using mesopredator controls is technically questionable and scientifically-sound research is therefore required to evaluate the impact of predation on prey case by case. in this study we evaluated the effect of the alteration of terrestrial mesopredator dynamics on the demographic parameters of a relict capercaillie tetrao uroga ...	2015	26489094
coexistence of sympatric carnivores in relatively homogeneous mediterranean landscapes: functional importance of habitat segregation at the fine-scale level.	one of the main objectives of community ecology is to understand the conditions allowing species to coexist. however, few studies have investigated the role of fine-scale habitat use segregation in the functioning of guild communities in relatively homogeneous landscapes where opportunities for coexistence are likely to be the most restrictive. we investigate how the process of habitat use differentiation at the home range level according to the degree of specialism/generalism of species can lea ...	2015	25933639
[species-specific features of tocopherol content in carnivorous mammals during autumn period].	a comparative study of the major liposoluble antioxidant, vitamin e (α-tocopherol), content was conducted in carnivorous mammals (polar fox, silver fox, raccoon dog, mink, sable) during late autumn under natural lowering of temperature. the highest vitamin e content in liver and kidney was found in polar fox and raccoon dog, obviously due to seasonal metabolic changes and ecological specialization determining the accumulation of considerable amounts of tocopherol both in polar and hibernating sp ...	2015	25859604
scavenger species-typical alteration to bone: using bite mark dimensions to identify scavengers.	scavenger-induced alteration to bone occurs while scavengers access soft tissue and during the scattering and re-scavenging of skeletal remains. using bite mark, dimensional data to assist in the more accurate identification of a scavenger can improve interpretations of trauma and enhance search and recovery methods. this study analyzed bite marks produced on both dry and fresh surface deposited remains by wild and captive red fox (vulpes vulpes) and eurasian badger (meles meles), as well as dom ...	2015	26249734
incorporating anthropogenic effects into trophic ecology: predator-prey interactions in a human-dominated landscape.	apex predators perform important functions that regulate ecosystems worldwide. however, little is known about how ecosystem regulation by predators is influenced by human activities. in particular, how important are top-down effects of predators relative to direct and indirect human-mediated bottom-up and top-down processes? combining data on species' occurrence from camera traps and hunting records, we aimed to quantify the relative effects of top-down and bottom-up processes in shaping predato ...	2015	26336169
genetic signatures of adaptation revealed from transcriptome sequencing of arctic and red foxes.	the genus vulpes (true foxes) comprises numerous species that inhabit a wide range of habitats and climatic conditions, including one species, the arctic fox (vulpes lagopus) which is adapted to the arctic region. a close relative to the arctic fox, the red fox (vulpes vulpes), occurs in subarctic to subtropical habitats. to study the genetic basis of their adaptations to different environments, transcriptome sequences from two arctic foxes and one red fox individual were generated and analyzed ...	2015	26250829
nutrient digestibility and colonic fermentation processes in species of the families mustelidae and canidae fed the same diet.	nutrient digestibility was compared and the influence of colonic fermentation processes on nutrient digestibility was determined in the american mink (neovison vison) and the silver fox (vulpes vulpes). it was hypothesized that gut microbiota exert varied effects on digestion processes in the analyzed species. the experiment was performed in december, on a group of 10 male mink and 10 male foxes. all animals were fed identical diets for fur-bearing carnivores, with the following chemical composi ...	2015	26350446
species identification refined by molecular scatology in a community of sympatric carnivores in xinjiang, china.	many ecological studies and conservation management plans employ noninvasive scat sampling based on the assumption that species' scats can be correctly identified in the field. however, in habitats with sympatric similarly sized carnivores, misidentification of scats is frequent and can lead to bias in research results. to address the scat identification dilemma, molecular scatology techniques have been developed to extract dna from the donor cells present on the outer lining of the scat samples ...	2015	25855225
platinum coat color in red fox (vulpes vulpes) is caused by a mutation in an autosomal copy of kit.	the red fox (vulpes vulpes) demonstrates a variety of coat colors including platinum, a common phenotype maintained in farm-bred fox populations. foxes heterozygous for the platinum allele have a light silver coat and extensive white spotting, whereas homozygosity is embryonic lethal. two kit transcripts were identified in skin cdna from platinum foxes. the long transcript was identical to the kit transcript of silver foxes, whereas the short transcript, which lacks exon 17, was specific to plat ...	2015	25662789
selection for tameness, a key behavioral trait of domestication, increases adult hippocampal neurogenesis in foxes.	work on laboratory and wild rodents suggests that domestication may impact on the extent of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and its responsiveness to regulatory factors. there is, however, no model of laboratory rodents and their nondomesticated conspecifics that would allow a controlled comparison of the effect of domestication. here, we present a controlled within-species comparison of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in farm-bred foxes (vulpes vulpes) that differ in their genetically determined ...	2015	25616112
inferring the distribution and demography of an invasive species from sighting data: the red fox incursion into tasmania.	a recent study has inferred that the red fox (vulpes vulpes) is now widespread in tasmania as of 2010, based on the extraction of fox dna from predator scats. heuristically, this inference appears at first glance to be at odds with the lack of recent confirmed discoveries of either road-killed foxes--the last of which occurred in 2006, or hunter killed foxes--the most recent in 2001. this paper demonstrates a method to codify this heuristic analysis and produce inferences consistent with assumpt ...	2015	25602618
a behavioral audiogram of the red fox (vulpes vulpes).	we determined the absolute hearing sensitivity of the red fox (vulpes vulpes) using an adapted standard psychoacoustic procedure. the animals were tested in a reward-based go/no-go procedure in a semi-anechoic chamber. at 60 db sound pressure level (spl) (re 20 μpa) red foxes perceive pure tones between 51 hz and 48 khz, spanning 9.84 octaves with a single peak sensitivity of -15 db at 4 khz. the red foxes' high-frequency cutoff is comparable to that of the domestic dog while the low-frequency c ...	2015	25529529
the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the tibetan red fox (vulpes vulpes montana).	in this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the tibetan red fox (vulpes vulpes montana) was sequenced for the first time using blood samples obtained from a wild female red fox captured from lhasa in tibet, china. qinghai--tibet plateau is the highest plateau in the world with an average elevation above 3500 m. sequence analysis showed it contains 12s rrna gene, 16s rrna gene, 22 trna genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region (cr). the variable tandem repeats in cr is the main ...	2015	24456141
terrestrial rabies control in the european union: historical achievements and challenges ahead.	due to the implementation of oral rabies vaccination (orv) programmes, the european union (eu) is becoming progressively free of red fox (vulpes vulpes)-mediated rabies. over the past three decades, the incidence of rabies had decreased substantially and vast areas of western and central europe have been freed from rabies using this method of controlling an infectious disease in wildlife. since rabies control is a top priority in the eu, the disease is expected to be eliminated from the animal s ...	2015	25466578
relation between intensity of biocide practice and residues of anticoagulant rodenticides in red foxes (vulpes vulpes).	anticoagulant rodenticides (ars) are commonly used to control rodent infestations for biocidal and plant protection purposes. this can lead to ar exposure of non-target small mammals and their predators, which is known from several regions of the world. however, drivers of exposure variation are usually not known. to identify environmental drivers of ar exposure in non-targets we analyzed 331 liver samples of red foxes (vulpes vulpes) for residues of eight ars and used local parameters (percenta ...	2015	26418154
hidden t-patterns in playing behavior of fox cubs (vulpes vulpes) in the wild; differences in the play structure during ontogenesis.	analysis of structural sequences (hidden tpatterns) in the behavior of animals during their period of active growth showed that the noninvasive ability to identify steps of forming scale ontogeny exists. simultaneously it is possible to identify cycles which penetrate through the process of behavior and to find changes in those cycles for as development of individuals goes on. for such estimating it is necessary to use such features as the total number of detected patterns, the degree of diversi ...	2015	26164339
environmental determinants of the spatial distribution of mesocestoides spp. and sensitivity of flotation method for the diagnosis of mesocestoidosis.	mesocestoides spp. are zoonotic cestodes of wild and domesticated carnivores. although the adult stages are relatively harmless intestinal parasites, the metacestode stages (tetrathyridia) can be responsible for life-threatening peritonitis and pleuritis in several species including dogs, cats, non-human primates and probably man. the aim of the present study was to reveal the spatial distribution pattern of mesocestoides spp. in the most important final hosts, red foxes (vulpes vulpes), to anal ...	2015	26150263
development of novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for the silver fox (vulpes vulpes).	the silver fox (vulpes vulpes), a coat color variant of the red fox, is one of the most important fur-bearing animals. to date, development of microsatellite loci for the silver fox has been limited and mainly based on cross-amplification by using canine ssr primers. in this study, 28 polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and identified for silver fox through the construction and screening of an (ac)n-enriched library. the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8 based on 48 ind ...	2015	26125788
genetic footprints reveal geographic patterns of expansion in fennoscandian red foxes.	population expansions of boreal species are among the most substantial ecological consequences of climate change, potentially transforming both structure and processes of northern ecosystems. despite their importance, little is known about expansion dynamics of boreal species. red foxes (vulpes vulpes) are forecasted to become a keystone species in northern europe, a process stemming from population expansions that began in the 19th century. to identify the relative roles of geographic and demog ...	2015	26058388
development of novel microsatellite markers for conservation genetic studies of vulpes vulpes (canidae) by using next-generation sequencing method.	the red fox, vulpes vulpes (canidae), is the most widely distributed terrestrial carnivore worldwide, but this species is classified as endangered in korea. in this study, we developed 25 polymorphic microsatellite markers that included 3-13 (mean = 6.32) alleles per locus using 22 red fox individuals. the most polymorphic locus was fr(59)tg (13 alleles) and the least polymorphic loci were fr(70)tg and fr(182)ag (3 alleles each). no significant deviation from hardy-weinberg equilibrium (p < 0.05 ...	2015	25966169
an introduced competitor elevates corticosterone responses of a native lizard (varanus varius).	glucocorticoid hormone profiles are increasingly used as physiological markers to infer the strength of species interactions that can influence fitness and ensuing population dynamics of animals. here we investigated two aims. first, we measured the effect of a 90-min capture stress protocol on the plasma corticosterone responses of a large native australian lizard, the lace monitor (varanus varius). second, we compared the basal and postcapture stress corticosterone responses of lace monitors i ...	2015	25860823
anesthetic management of a 4-month-old red fox (vulpes vulpes) for orthopedic surgery.	a 4-mo-old red fox (vulpes vulpes) was found recumbent after a vehicular accident. radiology revealed several limb fractures and the fox underwent surgery after 24 hr of initial stabilization. premedication consisted of dexmedetomidine and morphine. anesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam and maintained with isoflurane. lidocaine, bupivacaine, and morphine were administered epidurally and further analgesia was provided with meloxicam. the heart rate and respiratory rate of the fox rem ...	2015	25831591
hereditary hyperplastic gingivitis in north american farmed silver fox (vulpes vulpes).	hereditary hyperplastic gingivitis is a progressive growth of gingival tissues in foxes resulting in dental encapsulation. it is an autosomal recessive condition displaying a gender-biased penetrance, with an association with superior fur quality. this disease has been primarily described in european farmed foxes. here we document its emergence in canada.	2015	25829563
the first papillomavirus isolated from vulpes vulpes (vvulpv1) is basal to the gammapapillomavirus genus.	we report the complete genomic sequence of vulpes vulpes papillomavirus type 1 (vvulpv1), isolated from the hair follicles of a red fox. vvulpv1 does not cluster with other carnivoran papillomaviruses, and is instead a sister taxon to the gammapapillomavirus genus, thus sustaining the scenario of a biphasic evolution of papillomaviruses.	2015	25792048
hair and bone as predictors of tissular mercury concentration in the western alaska red fox, vulpes vulpes.	we evaluated if total mercury (thg) concentrations of keratin-based and bone-based tissues can predict thg concentrations in skeletal muscle, renal medulla, renal cortex, and liver. the thg concentration in matched tissues of 65 red foxes, vulpes vulpes, from western alaska was determined. hair thg concentration had a significant positive correlation with liver, renal medulla, renal cortex, and muscle. the thg concentration for males and females is moderately predictive of thg concentration in t ...	2015	25777958
invasive carnivores alter ecological function and enhance complementarity in scavenger assemblages on ocean beaches.	species composition is expected to alter ecological function in assemblages if species traits differ strongly. such effects are often large and persistent for nonnative carnivores invading islands. alternatively, high similarity in traits within assemblages creates a degree of functional redundancy in ecosystems. here we tested whether species turnover results in functional ecological equivalence or complementarity, and whether invasive carnivores on islands significantly alter such ecological f ...	2015	26649392
radiographic, ultrasonographic, and anatomic assessment of femoral trochlea morphology in red foxes (vulpes vulpes).	to compare repeatability and equivalency of measures of femoral trochlea depth and trochlear angle in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) determined by use of radiography, ultrasonography, and digital photography of cadaver limbs.	2014	25419805
novel divergent rhabdovirus in feces of red fox, spain.		2014	25419624
the value of using feasibility models in systematic conservation planning to predict landholder management uptake.	understanding the social dimensions of conservation opportunity is crucial for conservation planning in multiple-use landscapes. however, factors that influence the feasibility of implementing conservation actions, such as the history of landscape management, and landholders' willingness to engage are often difficult or time consuming to quantify and rarely incorporated into planning. we examined how conservation agencies could reduce costs of acquiring such data by developing predictive models ...	2014	25382827
sequence analysis of the ras-mapk pathway genes sos1, egfr & grb2 in silver foxes (vulpes vulpes): candidate genes for hereditary hyperplastic gingivitis.	hereditary hyperplastic gingivitis (hhg) is an autosomal recessive disease that presents with progressive gingival proliferation in farmed silver foxes. hereditary gingival fibromatosis (hgf) is an analogous condition in humans that is genetically heterogeneous with several known autosomal dominant loci. for one locus the causative mutation is in the son of sevenless homologue 1 (sos1) gene. for the remaining loci, the molecular mechanisms are unknown but ras pathway involvement is suspected. he ...	2014	25377643
unilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy in a red fox (vulpes vulpes) with an ovarian cyst.	unilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy was attempted in a red fox (vulpes vulpes) with an ovarian cyst through single portal access. the ovarian cyst was resistant to conservative therapy using gonadotropin-releasing hormone. a 10-mm laparoscope with an operating channel was introduced into the abdomen via a 12-mm umbilical portal. the left ovary and cyst (34.1 x 30.8 mm) were fixed to the left abdominal wall by a transabdominal suspension suture. the ovarian pedicles and ligaments were progressive ...	2014	25314842
demonstrating frequency-dependent transmission of sarcoptic mange in red foxes.	understanding the relationship between disease transmission and host density is essential for predicting disease spread and control. using long-term data on sarcoptic mange in a red fox vulpes vulpes population, we tested long-held assumptions of density- and frequency-dependent direct disease transmission. we also assessed the role of indirect transmission. contrary to assumptions typical of epidemiological models, mange dynamics are better explained by frequency-dependent disease transmission ...	2014	25296930
does fire influence the landscape-scale distribution of an invasive mesopredator?	predation and fire shape the structure and function of ecosystems globally. however, studies exploring interactions between these two processes are rare, especially at large spatial scales. this knowledge gap is significant not only for ecological theory, but also in an applied context, because it limits the ability of landscape managers to predict the outcomes of manipulating fire and predators. we examined the influence of fire on the occurrence of an introduced and widespread mesopredator, th ...	2014	25291186
range-wide multilocus phylogeography of the red fox reveals ancient continental divergence, minimal genomic exchange and distinct demographic histories.	widely distributed taxa provide an opportunity to compare biogeographic responses to climatic fluctuations on multiple continents and to investigate speciation. we conducted the most geographically and genomically comprehensive study to date of the red fox (vulpes vulpes), the world's most widely distributed wild terrestrial carnivore. analyses of 697 bp of mitochondrial sequence in ~1000 individuals suggested an ancient middle eastern origin for all extant red foxes and a 400 kya (sd = 139 kya) ...	2014	25212210
defining specificity in dna detection of wildlife: response to gonçalves et al. "the risks of using "species-specific" pcr assays in wildlife research: the case of red fox (vulpes vulpes) identification in tasmania".		2014	25194684
the influence of habitat structure on genetic differentiation in red fox populations in north-eastern poland.	the red fox (vulpes vulpes) has the widest global distribution among terrestrial carnivore species, occupying most of the northern hemisphere in its native range. because it carries diseases that can be transmitted to humans and domestic animals, it is important to gather information about their movements and dispersal in their natural habitat but it is difficult to do so at a broad scale with trapping and telemetry. in this study, we have described the genetic diversity and structure of red fox ...	2014	24954926
changes in the distribution of red foxes (vulpes vulpes) in urban areas in great britain: findings and limitations of a media-driven nationwide survey.	urbanization is one of the major forms of habitat alteration occurring at the present time. although this is typically deleterious to biodiversity, some species flourish within these human-modified landscapes, potentially leading to negative and/or positive interactions between people and wildlife. hence, up-to-date assessment of urban wildlife populations is important for developing appropriate management strategies. surveying urban wildlife is limited by land partition and private ownership, r ...	2014	24919063
microsatellite polymorphism and its association with body weight and selected morphometrics of farm red fox (vulpes vulpes l.).	polymorphism of 30 canine-derived microsatellites was studied in a group of 200 red foxes kept on 2 polish farms. 22 out of 30 microsatellites were selected to study association between marker genotypes and body weight (bw), body length (bl), body circumference (bc), tail length (tl), ear height (eh), length of the right front limb (frll), length of the right rear limb (rrll), length of the right front foot (frfl) and length of the right rear foot (rrfl). a total of 112 alleles and 243 genotypes ...	2014	24819338
aujeszky's disease in red fox (vulpes vulpes): phylogenetic analysis unravels an unexpected epidemiologic link.	we describe aujeszky's disease in a female of red fox (vulpes vulpes). although wild boar (sus scrofa) would be the expected source of infection, phylogenetic analysis suggested a domestic rather than a wild source of virus, underscoring the importance of biosecurity measures in pig farms to prevent contact with wild animals.	2014	24807353
dietary copper supplementation improves pelt characteristics of female silver fox (vulpes fulva) during the winter fur-growing season.	copper has an essential role in normal fur pigmentation and fur quality. this study evaluated the effects of cupric citrate (cucit) supplementation on growth, nutrients metabolism and pelt characteristics of the female silver fox (vulpes fulva). fifty age-matched female silver foxes with similar body weights were randomly divided into five dietary groups for 58 days during the winter fur-growing season. the basal diet contained 4.92 mg/kg copper. groups i-v were supplemented with 6, 30, 60, 90 o ...	2014	24798300
quantifying extinction probabilities from sighting records: inference and uncertainties.	methods are needed to estimate the probability that a population is extinct, whether to underpin decisions regarding the continuation of a invasive species eradication program, or to decide whether further searches for a rare and endangered species could be warranted. current models for inferring extinction probability based on sighting data typically assume a constant or declining sighting rate. we develop methods to analyse these models in a bayesian framework to estimate detection and surviva ...	2014	24788945
toward reliable estimates of abundance: comparing index methods to assess the abundance of a mammalian predator.	due to time and financial constraints indices are often used to obtain landscape-scale estimates of relative species abundance. using two different field methods and comparing the results can help to detect possible bias or a non monotonic relationship between the index and the true abundance, providing more reliable results. we used data obtained from camera traps and feces counts to independently estimate relative abundance of red foxes in the black forest, a forested landscape in southern ger ...	2014	24743565
the risks of using "species-specific" pcr assays in wildlife research: the case of red fox (vulpes vulpes) identification in tasmania.		2014	24742708
lack of fear response in mice (mus musculus) exposed to human urine odor.	a goal of the guide for the care and use of laboratory animals is to improve animal welfare by minimizing sources of fear, anxiety, and stress. as a result, it includes recommendations on overcrowding, frequency of cage changes, enrichment, and group housing. however, human odorants are a potential but unexplored source of fear, anxiety, and stress. although mice have been maintained for decades for animal research, whether mice perceive humans as predators is unknown. if so, this would necessit ...	2014	24602539
fatal spirocercosis in a free-ranging red fox.		2014	24578435
vaccine-induced rabies in a red fox (vulpes vulpes): isolation of vaccine virus in brain tissue and salivary glands.	oral vaccination campaigns to eliminate fox rabies were initiated in slovenia in 1995. in may 2012, a young fox (vulpes vulpes) with typical rabies signs was captured. its brain and salivary gland tissues were found to contain vaccine strain sad b19. the basic logical alignment search tool alignment of 589 nucleotides determined from the n gene of the virus isolated from the brain and salivary glands of the affected fox was 100% identical to the genbank reference sad b19 strain. sequence analysi ...	2014	24484500
molecular evidence of kobuviruses in free-ranging red foxes (vulpes vulpes).	red foxes (vulpes vulpes) are susceptible to viral diseases of domestic carnivores. in this study, by screening rectal swabs collected from 34 red foxes in italy, we identified kobuvirus rna in five samples. based on analysis of partial rdrp and full-length vp1 genes, all of the strains shared the highest identity with canine kobuviruses (cakvs) recently detected in the us, the uk and italy. these findings provide the first evidence of the circulation of these novel viruses in foxes.	2014	24452667
genome-wide expression analysis of hereditary hyperplastic gingivitis in silver foxes (vulpes vulpes) using canine microarrays.	hereditary hyperplastic gingivitis (hhg) is an autosomal recessive condition found predominantly in farmed silver foxes, first documented in europe in the 1940s. hereditary gingival fibromatosis (hgf) is an analogous condition occurring in humans. hgf has a heterogeneous aetiology with emphasis placed on the autosomal dominant forms of inheritance for which there are three known loci: hgf1, hgf2, and hgf3. among these, only one causative mutation has been determined, in the son of sevenless homo ...	2014	25469536
"reversed" intraguild predation: red fox cubs killed by pine marten.	camera traps deployed at a badger meles meles set in mixed pine forest in north-eastern poland recorded interspecific killing of red fox vulpes vulpes cubs by pine marten martes martes. the vixen and her cubs settled in the set at the beginning of may 2013, and it was abandoned by the badgers shortly afterwards. five fox cubs were recorded playing in front of the den each night. ten days after the first recording of the foxes, a pine marten was filmed at the set; it arrived in the morning, made ...	2014	24954928
analysis of genomic instability in primary spermatocytes of interspecific hybrids of the red fox (vulpes vulpes) and the arctic fox (alopex lagopus).	the aim of this study was to analyse meiotic cells of male interspecific hybrids of the red fox (vulpes vulpes) and the arctic fox (alopex lagopus). to this end we determined stages of meiotic cells as well as carried out fish analyses with probes specific to heterosomes and a tunel assay on synaptonemal complex preparations. the meiotic cell analysis revealed only the presence of stages of the first meiotic division from leptotene to pachytene. moreover, we observed an increased level of early ...	2014	25916158
genome organization and dna methylation patterns of b chromosomes in the red fox and chinese raccoon dogs.	the molecular structure of b chromosomes (bs) is relatively well studied. previous research demonstrates that bs of various species usually contain two types of repetitive dna sequences, satellite dna and ribosomal dna, but bs also contain genes encoding histone proteins and many others. however, many questions remain regarding the origin and function of these chromosomes. here, we focused on the comparative cytogenetic characteristics of the red fox and chinese raccoon dog b chromosomes with pa ...	2014	25491428
fluoride in the bones of foxes (vulpes vulpes linneaus, 1758) and raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procyonoides gray, 1834) from north-western poland.	assessment of exposure to fluoride (f(-)) is increasingly focused on mineralized tissues, mainly bones. their periodic growth and continuous reconstruction make them a good material for studying long-term f(-) accumulation. in this study, f(-)concentrations were determined in the bones of foxes and raccoon dogs from north-western poland and relationships between bone f(-) and the age categories of the animals were attempted to be identified. bone samples were collected from femurs of 32 foxes (1 ...	2014	24869802
enhanced understanding of predator-prey relationships using molecular methods to identify predator species, individual and sex.	predator species identification is an important step in understanding predator-prey interactions, but predator identifications using kill site observations are often unreliable. we used molecular tools to analyse predator saliva, scat and hair from caribou calf kills in newfoundland, canada to identify the predator species, individual and sex. we sampled dna from 32 carcasses using cotton swabs to collect predator saliva. we used fragment length analysis and sequencing of mitochondrial dna to di ...	2014	23957886
[effect of estradiol on the adrenocortical function of the silver fox].		2014	3021540
flow cytometric evaluation of sperm apoptosis in semen of silver foxes in the breeding period.	the objective of the study was to evaluate cytometrically the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic spermatozoa in fresh semen of silver foxes in the breeding season. in males f3 and f4 with high percentages of early apoptotic (a+pi-), late apoptotic (a+pi+) and necrotic (a-pi+) spermatozoa as well as 56-65% of living spermatozoa (a-pi-) with progressive motility, the semen was characterised by reduced fertility. in males f1 and f2 with spermatozoa showing the motility and viability of 89-90% and ...	2014	24332010
viral metagenomic analysis of feces of wild small carnivores.	recent studies have clearly demonstrated the enormous virus diversity that exists among wild animals. this exemplifies the required expansion of our knowledge of the virus diversity present in wildlife, as well as the potential transmission of these viruses to domestic animals or humans.	2014	24886057
eucoleus boehmi infection in red fox (vulpes vulpes) from italy.	in the last decade an increase of the number of red foxes in anthropized habitats across european countries, including italy, has been observed. this pones implications in terms of disease transmission between wildlife and domestic animals; in fact, there are evidences of the role of foxes as reservoirs and amplifiers of a broad spectrum of parasites infecting pets. the present study evaluated the prevalence of eucoleus boehmi, an emerging extra-intestinal nematodes of the capillariinae subfamil ...	2014	25458564
identification of animal rabies in inner mongolia and analysis of the etiologic characteristics.	to perform pathological observation and etiological identification of specimens collected from dairy cows, beef cattle and dogs which were suspected of rabies in inner mongolia in 2011, and analyze their etiological characteristics.	2014	24553372
'bodyguard' plants: predator-escape performance influences microhabitat choice by nightjars.	prey are typically assumed to avoid their predators. however, habitat selection patterns of prey might depend upon their ability to use particular landscape elements to manage their escape options from predator encounters. during two breeding seasons, i studied habitat use and behaviour of red-necked nightjars (caprimulgus ruficollis) foraging under the risk of predation by red foxes (vulpes vulpes) in southwestern spain. nightjars exhibited nearly invariable foraging site choice and body positi ...	2014	24286818
isotopic investigation of niche partitioning among native carnivores and the non-native coyote (canis latrans).	we employed stable carbon (δ(13)c) and nitrogen (δ(15)n) isotopes within a hypothetico-deductive framework to explore potential resource partitioning among terrestrial mammalian carnivores. isotope values were acquired using guard hair samples from bobcat (lynx rufus), coyote (canis latrans), gray fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus), and red fox (vulpes vulpes) in the adirondack park, ny, usa. enrichment along the δ(13)c axis was expected to reflect the use of human sources of food (reflecting a corn ...	2014	24666214
a comparison of facial color pattern and gazing behavior in canid species suggests gaze communication in gray wolves (canis lupus).	as facial color pattern around the eyes has been suggested to serve various adaptive functions related to the gaze signal, we compared the patterns among 25 canid species, focusing on the gaze signal, to estimate the function of facial color pattern in these species. the facial color patterns of the studied species could be categorized into the following three types based on contrast indices relating to the gaze signal: a-type (both pupil position in the eye outline and eye position in the face ...	2014	24918751
how does a carnivore guild utilise a substantial but unpredictable anthropogenic food source? scavenging on hunter-shot ungulate carcasses by wild dogs/dingoes, red foxes and feral cats in south-eastern australia revealed by camera traps.	there is much interest in understanding how anthropogenic food resources subsidise carnivore populations. carcasses of hunter-shot ungulates are a potentially substantial food source for mammalian carnivores. the sambar deer (rusa unicolor) is a large (≥ 150 kg) exotic ungulate that can be hunted throughout the year in south-eastern australia, and hunters are not required to remove or bury carcasses. we investigated how wild dogs/dingoes and their hybrids (canis lupus familiaris/dingo), red foxe ...	2014	24918425
bottom-up and top-down processes interact to modify intraguild interactions in resource-pulse environments.	top predators are declining globally, in turn allowing populations of smaller predators, or mesopredators, to increase and potentially have negative effects on biodiversity. however, detection of interactions among sympatric predators can be complicated by fluctuations in the background availability of resources in the environment, which may modify both the numbers of predators and the strengths of their interactions. here, we first present a conceptual framework that predicts how top-down and b ...	2014	24908053
lethal control of an apex predator has unintended cascading effects on forest mammal assemblages.	disruption to species-interaction networks caused by irruptions of herbivores and mesopredators following extirpation of apex predators is a global driver of ecosystem reorganization and biodiversity loss. most studies of apex predators' ecological roles focus on effects arising from their interactions with herbivores or mesopredators in isolation, but rarely consider how the effects of herbivores and mesopredators interact. here, we provide evidence that multiple cascade pathways induced by let ...	2014	24619441
molecular assessment of hepatozoon (apicomplexa: adeleorina) infections in wild canids and rodents from north africa, with implications for transmission dynamics across taxonomic groups.	parasites play a major role in ecosystems, and understanding of host-parasite interactions is important for predicting parasite transmission dynamics and epidemiology. however, there is still a lack of knowledge about the distribution, diversity, and impact of parasites in wildlife, especially from remote areas. hepatozoon is a genus of apicomplexan parasites that is transmitted by ingestion of infected arthropod vectors. however, alternative modes of transmission have been identified such as tr ...	2014	25050803
tick-borne encephalitis transmission risk: its dependence on host population dynamics and climate effects.	tick-borne encephalitis (tbe) is a human disease caused by a flavivirus that is spread by ticks (ixodes ricinus). in 2011 and 2012, the highest tbe incidence ever was recorded in sweden. it has been proposed that warmer spring temperatures result in higher survival of ticks and thus high incidence of tbe. here, analyses were done of time series of tbe for 1976-2011 in relation to the north atlantic oscillation (nao), mean summer temperatures, and yearly number of harvested european hare (lepus e ...	2014	24745813
isolation and identification of salmonella spp. from red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and badgers (meles meles) in northern italy.	salmonella spp. have been isolated from a wide range of wild animals. opportunistic wild carnivores such as red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and badgers (meles meles) may act as environmental indicators or as potential sources of salmonellosis in humans. the present study characterizes salmonella spp. isolated from the intestinal contents of hunted or dead red foxes (n = 509) and badgers (n = 17) in northern italy.	2014	25492524
genetically distinct isolates of spirocerca sp. from a naturally infected red fox (vulpes vulpes) from denmark.	spirocerca lupi causes formation of nodules that may transform into sarcoma in the walls of aorta, esophagus and stomach of infected canids. in february 2013, post mortem examination of a red fox (vulpes vulpes) hunted in denmark revealed the presence of several nodules containing adult worms of spirocerca sp. in the stomach and the omentum. the nodules largely consisted of fibrous tissue with infiltration of mononuclear cells, neutrophilic granulocytes and macrophages with hemosiderin depositio ...	2014	25060226
genotyping toxoplasma gondii from wildlife in pennsylvania and identification of natural recombinants virulent to mice.	recent studies indicated the predominance of toxoplasma gondii haplogroup 12 in wildlife in the usa. however, still little is known of the genetic diversity of this parasite circulating in wildlife. in the present study, we tested coyotes (canis latrans), red foxes (vulpes vulpes), white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus), and geese (branta canadensis) from the state of pennsylvania for t. gondii infection. antibodies to t. gondii were found in 160 of 367 animals, including 92 (34.5%) of 266 c ...	2014	24332401
first report of thelazia callipaeda in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) from portugal.	the first cases of infection with the eyeworm thelazia callipaeda (spirurida, thelaziidae) in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) from portugal are described. worms were collected from 1 fox (7 worms) in the north and from 2 foxes (10 worms) in the central region of the country. partial molecular amplification of mitochondrial cythocrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene and sequencing revealed a 100% homology with t. callipaeda haplotype 1, which is the sequence type circulating in europe. data suggest that wildl ...	2014	25000721
detection and genetic characterization of tick-borne encephalitis virus (tbev) derived from ticks removed from red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and isolated from spleen samples of red deer (cervus elaphus) in croatia.	tick-borne encephalitis (tbe) is a growing public health concern in central and northern european countries. even though tbe is a notifiable disease in croatia, there is a significant lack of information in regard to vector tick identification, distribution as well as tbe virus prevalence in ticks or animals. the aim of our study was to identify and to investigate the viral prevalence of tbe virus in ticks removed from red fox (vulpes vulpes) carcasses hunted in endemic areas in northern croatia ...	2014	24035586
serologic survey of antibodies to trypanosoma cruzi in coyotes and red foxes from pennsylvania and tennessee.	trypanosoma cruzi is a zoonotic parasite of humans and other mammalian hosts with distribution throughout the americas. domestic and wild canine species are reservoirs for human t. cruzi infections. the present study examined the prevalence of antibodies to t. cruzi in wild canids from the united states. sera from 13 red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and 263 coyotes (canis latrans), originating in pennsylvania and tennessee, were assayed for antibodies to t. cruzi with immunochromatographic tests. antib ...	2014	25632700
environmental determinants of the spatial distribution of trichinella britovi and trichinella spiralis in hungary.	trichinella spiralis and trichinella britovi are the two most common species of the genus trichinella persisting in the european wildlife. to investigate the spatial distribution of these trichinella spp. and the factors influencing their circulation in hungary, 3304 red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and 0.29 million wild boars (sus scrofa) were tested for trichinella sp. infection in hungary from 2006 to 2013. trichinella spp. larvae from 68 (2.06%) foxes and 44 (0.015%) wild boars were identified by a ...	2014	24867274
hepatozoon canis in german red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and their ticks: molecular characterization and the phylogenetic relationship to other hepatozoon spp.	in this study, the prevalence of hepatozoon spp. in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and their ticks from germany, as well as molecular characterizations and phylogenetic relationship to other hepatozoon spp. were investigated. dna extracts of 261 spleen samples and 1,953 ticks were examined for the presence of hepatozoon spp. by a conventional polymerase chain reaction (pcr) targeting the 18s rrna gene. the ticks included four tick species: ixodes ricinus, ixodes canisuga, ixodes hexagonus and dermace ...	2014	24802869
role of wildlife in the epidemiology of leishmania infantum infection in europe.	although dogs are considered the main reservoir of leishmania infantum infection in endemic areas in europe, the existence of other wild vertebrate reservoirs has been proposed as a possible cause of the lack of success of control measures. evidence of l. infantum infection in european wildlife has been reported in carnivores, lagomorphs, and rodents. the red fox (vulpes vulpes) received most attention, probably due to its taxonomic relationship with the dog and because it is the most abundant w ...	2014	24804923
detection of leishmania in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) from southeastern france using real-time quantitative pcr.	the role of red foxes in the natural cycle of leishmania infection is not well known. in the var area, southeastern france, from 2006 to 2012, we conducted a longitudinal epidemiologic survey of foxes using quantitative pcr. among 92 red foxes screened, prevalence of leishmania infantum infection was 9%. red foxes may be considered a bioindicator of parasite circulation in this biotope.	2014	24171581
survey of mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in road-killed wild carnivores in portugal.	a survey to determine the occurrence of mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (map) in wild carnivores in portugal was conducted by testing samples from road-killed animals between 2009 and 2012. postmortem examinations were performed and tissues were collected from wild carnivores representing four families and six different species, with a total of 74 animals analyzed. cultures were performed by using löwenstein-jensen and middlebrook 7h11 solid media and acid-fast isolates were identifi ...	2014	25632662
disseminated mycobacterium bovis infection in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) with cerebral involvement found in portugal.	a total of 49 road-killed red foxes were used for the detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (mtc) in portugal. mtc infection was detected by pcr in 10 red foxes (20.4%; 95% confidence interval [ci] 8.8-31.2%) and confirmed in three (6.1%; 95% ci 0.0-7.9%) of them by microbiological culture. the complex was detected in 20 tissues out of 441 by pcr techniques (4.5%; 95% ci 16.3-23.7%) and in seven tissues out of 441 (1.6%; 95% ci 4.6-9.4%) by culture. mtc was most frequently detected in ...	2014	24901256
a conceptual model for the impact of climate change on fox rabies in alaska, 1980-2010.	the direct and interactive effects of climate change on host species and infectious disease dynamics are likely to initially manifest\ at latitudinal extremes. as such, alaska represents a region in the united states for introspection on climate change and disease. rabies is enzootic among arctic foxes (vulpes lagopus) throughout the northern polar region. in alaska, arctic and red foxes (vulpes vulpes) are reservoirs for rabies, with most domestic animal and wildlife cases reported from norther ...	2014	23452510
oral vaccination and protection of red foxes (vulpes vulpes) against rabies using onrab, an adenovirus-rabies recombinant vaccine.	twenty-seven red foxes (vulpes vulpes) were each offered a bait containing onrab, a recombinant oral rabies vaccine that uses a human adenovirus vector to express the immunogenic rabies virus glycoprotein; 10 controls received no vaccine baits. serum samples collected from all foxes before treatment, and each week post-treatment for 16 weeks, were tested for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibody (rvna). in the bait group, a fox was considered a responder to vaccination if serum samp ...	2014	24374501
diagnosis and treatment of neospora caninum--associated dermatitis in a red fox (vulpes vulpes) with concurrent toxoplasma gondii infection.	a 3-mo-old red fox (vulpes vulpes) developed generalized crusty plaques on its body during rehabilitation after an automobile accident requiring amputation of one leg. histologic examination of skin lesion biopsy revealed granulomatous dermatitits with many intralesional protozoal tachyzoites. the protozoa stained positively with antibodies to neospora caninum but not to toxoplasma gondii. treatment with clindamycin hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, twice daily, s.c.) for 1 mo completely resolved lesions ...	2014	25000720
red foxes (vulpes vulpes) in romania are carriers of toxoplasma gondii but not neospora caninum.	brain samples from 182 red foxes (vulpes vulpes) from romania were examined using a standard pcr technique. results provide evidence of toxoplasma gondii (11 foxes=6.0%) and neospora caninum (1 fox=0.5%) dna in red foxes from romania. no coinfections were found.	2014	24807364
rapid urbanization of red foxes in estonia: distribution, behaviour, attacks on domestic animals, and health-risks related to zoonotic diseases.	urban areas are becoming increasingly important for wildlife as diminishing natural habitats no longer represent a suitable environment for many species. red foxes (vulpes vulpes) are nowadays common in many cities worldwide, and in recent years they have colonized urban areas in estonia. we used a public web-based questionnaire approach to evaluate the distribution and behaviour of estonian urban foxes, to detect related problems and to assess health risks to humans and domestic animals. in tot ...	2014	25531399
a semi-automated magnetic capture probe based dna extraction and real-time pcr method applied in the swedish surveillance of echinococcus multilocularis in red fox (vulpes vulpes) faecal samples.	following the first finding of echinococcus multilocularis in sweden in 2011, 2985 red foxes (vulpes vulpes) were analysed by the segmental sedimentation and counting technique. this is a labour intensive method and requires handling of the whole carcass of the fox, resulting in a costly analysis. in an effort to reduce the cost of labour and sample handling, an alternative method has been developed. the method is sensitive and partially automated for detection of e. multilocularis in faecal sam ...	2014	25522844
trend analysis of trichinella in a red fox population from a low endemic area using a validated artificial digestion and sequential sieving technique.	freezing of fox carcasses to minimize professional hazard of infection with echinococcus multilocularis is recommended in endemic areas, but this could influence the detection of trichinella larvae in the same host species. a method based on artificial digestion of frozen fox muscle, combined with larva isolation by a sequential sieving method (ssm), was validated using naturally infected foxes from latvia. the validated ssm was used to detect dead trichinella muscle larvae (ml) in frozen muscle ...	2014	25431178
unexpected diversity of the cestode echinococcus multilocularis in wildlife in canada.	echinococcus multilocularis is a zoonotic cestode with a distribution encompassing the northern hemisphere that causes alveolar hydatid disease in people and other aberrant hosts. e. multilocularis is not genetically uniform across its distribution, which may have implications for zoonotic transmission and pathogenicity. recent findings of a european-type haplotype of e. multilocularis in wildlife in one location in western canada motivated a broader survey of the diversity of this parasite in w ...	2014	25161905
laboratory assessment of sensitive molecular tools for detection of low levels of echinococcus multilocularis-eggs in fox (vulpes vulpes) faeces.	in endemic areas with very low infection prevalence, the frequency and intensity of echinococcus multilocularis can be extremely low. this necessitates efficient, specific and sensitive molecular tools. we wanted to compare the existing molecular tools, used in the norwegian national surveillance programme, and compare these with new techniques for detection of this zoonotic pathogen in fox faeces. here we present the results of screening samples containing a known level of e. multilocularis egg ...	2014	24885321