Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment
A population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes inhabits the urban environment in the city of Bakersfield, California, United States. This population is considered important for the conservation and recovery of this species. In this novel environment, kit foxes encounter a novel competitor, that be...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/20/2727 |
| _version_ | 1797476014137278464 |
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| author | Brian L. Cypher Nicole A. Deatherage Tory L. Westall Erica C. Kelly |
| author_facet | Brian L. Cypher Nicole A. Deatherage Tory L. Westall Erica C. Kelly |
| author_sort | Brian L. Cypher |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes inhabits the urban environment in the city of Bakersfield, California, United States. This population is considered important for the conservation and recovery of this species. In this novel environment, kit foxes encounter a novel competitor, that being non-native red foxes. We examined exploitative and interference competition between these two species. Based on scat analysis, both species consumed similar foods and dietary overlap was high. Red foxes also were found to usurp kit fox dens. Direct mortality to kit foxes from red foxes appears to be rare. Kit foxes and red foxes also appear to overlap spatially, although we found evidence of temporal partitioning of shared space. Based on binary logistic regression modeling, habitat attributes in grid cells used by the two species generally were similar, consistent with the spatial overlap. However, differences in specific attributes indicated that kit foxes are more likely to use areas with smaller open spaces and more human activity compared to red foxes. Competition from red foxes may be mitigated by several factors. Critical resources such as food and dens may be sufficiently abundant such that they are not a limiting factor. Some degree of spatial segregation and temporal partitioning of shared space may reduce interference competition. These factors may facilitate coexistence, and consequently, red foxes do not currently appear to constitute a significant competitive risk to this important population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:52:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b9626779c68f482d8d47ec862c02a49f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:52:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-b9626779c68f482d8d47ec862c02a49f2023-11-23T22:30:51ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-10-011220272710.3390/ani12202727Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel EnvironmentBrian L. Cypher0Nicole A. Deatherage1Tory L. Westall2Erica C. Kelly3Endangered Species Recovery Program, California State University-Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USAEndangered Species Recovery Program, California State University-Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USAEndangered Species Recovery Program, California State University-Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USAEndangered Species Recovery Program, California State University-Stanislaus, 1 University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382, USAA population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes inhabits the urban environment in the city of Bakersfield, California, United States. This population is considered important for the conservation and recovery of this species. In this novel environment, kit foxes encounter a novel competitor, that being non-native red foxes. We examined exploitative and interference competition between these two species. Based on scat analysis, both species consumed similar foods and dietary overlap was high. Red foxes also were found to usurp kit fox dens. Direct mortality to kit foxes from red foxes appears to be rare. Kit foxes and red foxes also appear to overlap spatially, although we found evidence of temporal partitioning of shared space. Based on binary logistic regression modeling, habitat attributes in grid cells used by the two species generally were similar, consistent with the spatial overlap. However, differences in specific attributes indicated that kit foxes are more likely to use areas with smaller open spaces and more human activity compared to red foxes. Competition from red foxes may be mitigated by several factors. Critical resources such as food and dens may be sufficiently abundant such that they are not a limiting factor. Some degree of spatial segregation and temporal partitioning of shared space may reduce interference competition. These factors may facilitate coexistence, and consequently, red foxes do not currently appear to constitute a significant competitive risk to this important population of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/20/2727competitionendangered speciesfood habitshabitat attributesurban environment<i>Vulpes macrotis mutica</i> |
| spellingShingle | Brian L. Cypher Nicole A. Deatherage Tory L. Westall Erica C. Kelly Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment Animals competition endangered species food habits habitat attributes urban environment <i>Vulpes macrotis mutica</i> |
| title | Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment |
| title_full | Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment |
| title_fullStr | Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment |
| title_short | Intraguild Competition between Endangered Kit Foxes and a Novel Predator in a Novel Environment |
| title_sort | intraguild competition between endangered kit foxes and a novel predator in a novel environment |
| topic | competition endangered species food habits habitat attributes urban environment <i>Vulpes macrotis mutica</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/20/2727 |
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