Predictors of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) helminth parasite diversity in the provinces of Spain

We analysed the viscera of 321 red foxes collected over the last 30 years in 34 of the 47 provinces of peninsular Spain, and identified their helminth parasites. We measured parasite diversity in each sampled province using four diversity indices: Species richness, Marg a l e f’s species richness index, Shannon’s species diversity index, and inverse Simpson’s index. In order to find geographical, environmental, and/or human-related predictors of fox parasite diversity, we recorded 45 variables related to topography, climate, lithology, habitat heterogeneity, land use, spatial situation, human activity, sampling effort, and fox presence probability (obtained after environmental modelling of fox distribution). We then performed a stepwise linear regression of each diversity index on these variables, to find a minimal subset of statistically significant variables that account for the variation in each diversity index. We found that most parasite diversity indices increase with the mean distance to urban centres, or in other words, foxes in more rural provinces have a more diverse helminth fauna. Sampling effort and fox presence probability (probably related to fox density) also appeared as conditioning variables for some indices, as well as soil permeability (related with water availability). We then extrapolated the models to predict these fox parasite diversity indices in non-sampled provinces and have a view of their geographical trends

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) from the North Sea

The first record of arctic fox Alopex lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Eurogeul area (North Sea) is reported based on a distal humerus fragment collected by private collectors from dredged sediments on ‘De Zandmotor’. It was radiocarbon dated to 29,900 + 550/- 490 BP (GrA-69520), which is younger than most Late Pleistocene fossils from this area. Besides adding a new species to the faunal list of the Eurogeul area, this specimen also demonstrates the value of beaches nourished with dredged sediments and highlights the importance of close cooperation between all parties interested in palaeontology: from collector to researcher. The discovery prompted re-examination of the other arctic fox specimen from the North Sea, a femur of which the identification is here confirmed and measurements are provided

Food preferences of golden jackals and sympatric red foxes in European temperate climate agricultural area (Hungary)

Differences in food preferences between two sympatric canids, the golden jackal (Canis aureus), which is currently spreading from south-east Europe and is a little-known species in Europe, and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) were investigated. Data on diet composition and food availability were collected over a 13-season period, in a temperate climate agricultural area of Hungary. We found that jackals and foxes preferred small mammals (Ivlev’s electivity index, Eis0.38 and 0.39, respectively), and avoided towards wild boar (Eis -0.43 and -0.56, respectively) and cervids (Eis-0.92 and -0.94, respectively). Jackals preferred pheasant less than foxes (Eis0.06 and 0.51, respectively). Within small mammals, both predators preferred the open field living species, with the forest living species being less favoured. The relationship between the available biomass of small mammals, as the primarily important food resource for both canids, and the proportion of consumed biomass of small mammals was not close. This was probably as a result of abundant food resources and high trophic flexibility of the golden jackal and red fox allowing these two closely related carnivores to coexist sympatrically in Central European areas without resource partitioning

The worked bone industry and intrusive fauna associated with the prehistoric cave burials of Abri des Autours (Belgium)

peer reviewe

Interesting records of two small carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae) from Hungary

Cholevinus pallidus rufus (Kraatz, 1870), found in a red fox den entrance is reported for the first time from Hungary. Choleva (Choleva) lederiana pilisensis Růžička et Vávra, 2003, an endemic subspecies from Hungary, is reported from additional localities in Pilis Mts and Buda Hills. With 5 figures

Role of three bird species in the life cycle of two \u3ci\u3eSarcocystis\u3c/i\u3e spp. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in the Czech Republic

Birds are one of the groups involved in the development of Sarcocystis Lankester (1882), serving either as intermediate or definitive hosts. The white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758), red kite Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both Accipitriformes) and common starlings Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Passeriformes) were examined to elucidate their participation in the development of Sarcocystis, as well as to determine the specific identity of the parasites based on morphological and especially molecular analyses. In 2020–2021, one white-tailed eagle, one red kite and five common starlings were parasitologically examined for the presence of Sarcocystis using flotation centrifugation coprological method and by wet mounts of intestinal mucosa scrapings and/or muscle samples. Positive samples were processed by light microscopy, histologically and followed molecularly at four genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 and cox1). The white-tailed eagle harboured oocysts/sporocysts of S. arctica Gjerde et Schulze, 2014 in the intestinal mucosa, while the intestinal mucosa of the red kite and breasts and leg muscles of one common starling were positive to S. halieti Gjerde, Vikøren et Hamnes, 2018. Sequences from eagle shared 99.6–100% identity with each other and S. arctica in the red fox (V. vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Sequences from the common starling and red kite shared 100% identity with each other and with S. halieti in the great cormorant (P. carbo [Linnaeus, 1758]) from Lithuania and H. albicilla from Norway. The white-tailed sea eagle might act as definitive host of S. arctica, whereas the common starling and red kite represent intermediate and potential definitive hosts, respectively, for S. halieti

The geographical distribution and prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in animals in the European Union and adjacent countries : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background This study aimed to provide a systematic review on the geographical distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis in definitive and intermediate hosts in the European Union (EU) and adjacent countries (AC). The relative importance of the different host species in the life-cycle of this parasite was highlighted and gaps in our knowledge regarding these hosts were identified. Methods Six databases were searched for primary research studies published from 1900 to 2015. From a total of 2,805 identified scientific papers, 244 publications were used for meta-analyses. Results Studies in 21 countries reported the presence of E. multilocularis in red foxes, with the following pooled prevalence (PP): low (≤ 1 %; Denmark, Slovenia and Sweden); medium (> 1 % to 10 %; Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). Studies from Finland, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Norway reported the absence of E. multilocularis in red foxes. However, E. multilocularis was detected in Arctic foxes from the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in Norway. Conclusions Raccoon dogs (PP 2.2 %), golden jackals (PP 4.7 %) and wolves (PP 1.4 %) showed a higher E. multilocularis PP than dogs (PP 0.3 %) and cats (PP 0.5 %). High E. multilocularis PP in raccoon dogs and golden jackals correlated with high PP in foxes. For intermediate hosts (IHs), muskrats (PP 4.2 %) and arvicolids (PP 6.0 %) showed similar E. multilocularis PP as sylvatic definitive hosts (DHs), excluding foxes. Nutrias (PP 1.0 %) and murids (PP 1.1 %) could play a role in the life-cycle of E. multilocularis in areas with medium to high PP in red foxes. In areas with low PP in foxes, no other DH was found infected with E. multilocularis. When fox E. multilocularis PP was >3 %, raccoon dogs and golden jackals could play a similar role as foxes. In areas with high E. multilocularis fox PP, the wolf emerged as a potentially important DH. Dogs and cats could be irrelevant in the life-cycle of the parasite in Europe, although dogs could be important for parasite introduction into non-endemic areas. Muskrats and arvicolids are important IHs. Swine, insectivores, murids and nutrias seem to play a minor or no role in the life-cycle of the parasite within the EU and ACs

Echinococcus multilocularis in south-eastern Europe (Romania)

Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans, has been found in 4.8% of 561 red foxes originating from various regions of Romania. Infected foxes were identified in 8 of 15 counties with average prevalence rates between 1.7% and 14.6%. In previous studies, E. multilocularis was not found in 535 foxes from three counties, but larval stages (metacestodes) were present in four species of rodents. Furthermore, AE was diagnosed in two patients. Experiences from other European regions indicate that several factors (such as increasing fox populations with higher parasite prevalences and urban cycles of the parasite) may result in an increased infection risk for human

Food composition and feeding ecology of the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) in Egypt

Food composition of the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes populations in different habitats in Egypt is investigated based on the analysis of stomach contents. The analysis of 70 stomach contents demonstrates that the food of Red Fox is highly diverse and includes rodents, birds, reptiles,fishes, insects and other arthropods, fruits and other vegetable material. Certain individuals seem to also feed on carrion. Diet composition shows seasonal and geographical variations that are apparently associated with changes in the availability of different food items. The results clearlyshow that the Red Fox is an opportunistic omnivore, capable of adapting to a great variety of dietary compositions

Utjecaj cijepljenja protiv bjesnoće na dinamiku populacija lisice (Vulpes vulpes) i zeca običnog (Lepus europaeus) u Vojvodini, Republika Srbija

Certain aspects of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) population dynamics in the Autonomous Province Vojvodina (Serbia) were analysed on the basis of the available data from 1978-2015. Red fox culling was taken into account as a factor affecting the abundance of brown hares. In that period, during regulated hunts a total of 399,976 foxes were culled and the annual average was 10,526 (SD = 2985). Brown hare spring counts showed fluctuations during the research period and showed a declining trend in the number of individuals. The red fox was selected for the study as the most abundant predator in this area, having the most impact on brown hares. Also, in 2010 a nationwide vaccination campaign against rabies was conducted, leading to an increase in the numbers of red foxes. However, while this led to a rise in the numbers of red foxes, the cull remained nearly the same in the following years. Analysis of the relationship between the numbers of brown hare and the red fox cull in 1978-2009 and 2010-2015 showed a significant difference in their ratio. This study shows that the numbers of red fox increased significantly following the rabies vaccination. Consequently, this is a significant factor that is affecting the brown hare population. Also, it is evident that the red fox cull needs to be increased in order to maintain the natural balance.Na temelju raspoloživih podataka iz 1978. do 2015. u Autonomnoj pokrajini Vojvodini (Republika Srbija) analizirana je dinamika populacija lisice (Vulpes vulpes linneus, 1758) i zeca običnog (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778). U obzir je uzet odstrel lisice kao čimbenika koji utječe na brojnost zečeva. U tom je razdoblju tijekom redovnih lovova odstrijeljeno ukupno 399 976 lisica, a godišnji prosjek iznosi 10 526 (SD = 2985). Podaci proljetnog prebrojavanja zečeva pokazuju fluktuacije tijekom istraživačkog razdoblja i trend opadanja njihova broja. za istraživanje je odabrana lisica kao najbrojniji grabežljivac na ovom području, s najviše utjecaja na zeca običnog. Također, tijekom 2010. godine provedeno je cijepljenje protiv bjesnoće diljem zemlje, što je dovelo do porasta broja lisica. No dok je broj lisica porastao, u sljedećim je godinama odstrel ostao gotovo jednak. Analize odnosa između zeca običnoga i lisice od 1978. do 2009. i od 2010. do 2015. pokazuju znakovitu razliku. Ovo istraživanje pokazuje da je broj lisica znatno povećan nakon kampanje cijepljenja protiv bjesnoće. Slijedom toga ovo je važan čimbenik koji utječe i na populaciju zeca. Također, očito je da se odstrel lisica mora povećati kako bi se održala prirodna ravnoteža