Pseudalopex gymnocercus (G. Fischer, 1814) Burmeister, 1856
|
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6331155 |
|
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6335041 |
|
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03ACCF40-BF23-FFDD-7E94-FACCF89DDA8D |
|
treatment provided by |
Conny |
|
scientific name |
Pseudalopex gymnocercus |
| status |
|
17. View On
Pampas Fox
Pseudalopex gymnocercus View in CoL
French: Renard d'Azara / German: Pampasfuchs / Spanish: Zorro de La Pampa
Other common names: Azara's Fox
Taxonomy. Procyon gymnocercus Fischer, 1814,
Paraguay.
Three subspecies have been proposed. Their geographic limits are not precise and it has been suggested that along their borders they could coexist and interbreed.
Subspecies and Distribution.
P. g. gymnocercus Fischer, 1814 — subtropical grasslands of NE Argentina, SE Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
P.g. antiquus Ameghino, 1889 — Pampas grasslands, monte scrublands, and open woodlands of C Argentina.
P. g. lordi Massoia, 1982 — Chaco-montane tropical forest ecotone in NW Argentina (Salta & Jujuy Provinces).
The subspecific status of the Pampas Fox from Entre Rios Province in Argentina remains unclear, and there are no data regarding the taxonomic position of Bolivian foxes. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 59- 7-74 cm for males and 50- 5-72 cm for females, tail 28-38 cm for males and 25-41 cm for females; weight 4-8 kg for males and 3-5- 7 kg for females. Medium-sized, smaller than Culpeo. The head, somewhat triangular in shape, is reddish with a pale gray to white ventral surface. Ears triangular, broad and relatively large, reddish on the outer surface and white on the inner surface. The rostrum is narrow, ventrally pale, black in the chin and reddish to black dorsally. The eyes are oblique in appearance. The body, back, and sides are gray, like the outer surface of the hindlimbs, which have a characteristic black spot on the lower rear side. There is a dark, almost black band along the back and tail. Thetail is relatively long, bushy, and gray, with a black tip. The outer surface of the front limbs and the distal surface of the hindlimbs are reddish. Smaller size and lack of interparietal crest distinguish its skull from that of the Culpeo. Dental formulais13/3,C1/1,PM 4/4, M 2/3 = 42.
Habitat. The Pampas Fox is a typical inhabitant of the pampas grasslands of South America’s Southern Cone. It prefers open habitats, tall grass plains and sub-humid to dry habitats, but is also common in ridges, dry scrublands and open woodlands. In drier habitats in the southerly and easterly parts of its range, the speciesis replaced by the South American Gray Fox. Where its range overlaps with that of the Crab-eating Fox, the Pampas Fox selects more open areas. Apparently it has been able to adapt to the habitat alterations caused by extensive cattle breeding and agricultural activities.
Food and Feeding. Like most other medium-sized foxes, the Pampas Fox is a generalist and adaptable carnivore. Its diet shows great geographic variation and may include both wild and domestic vertebrates (particularly rodents and birds), fruit, insects, carrion, and garbage. Based on stomach contents, wild mammals and sheep appeared to be the two most common food items in Uruguay, while in La Pampa Province, Argentina, European Hares and rodents were the most common food items, followed by birds and carrion. In Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, there was a high frequency of rodents and birds, but also of insects, fruits, and crabs. Seasonal and local variations in diet are likely connected to variations in food availability. The Pampas Fox is a solitary and opportunistic carnivore. Large, highly concentrated food resources (i.e. large mammal carcasses) may cause several individuals to gather, possibly beyond the borders of normal home ranges. Food caching behavior has been observed, apparently related to an increase in the availability of rodents.
Activity patterns. Forages both day and night, although activity is mainly nocturnal in areas with severe hunting pressure.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Pampas Foxes are thought to form monogamous pairs, but they are solitary most of the time: 88% of observations in the Paraguayan Chaco and 93% in Argentine La Pampa Province were of single individuals. Pairs are frequently observed from the time of mating until pups leave the natal den. In a Sierra grassland area, the respective home ranges of two adult males were estimated at 0-4 and 0-45 km *. Defecation-site features suggest that droppings are used in intraspecific communication. Long-distance calls, which peak in frequency during the breeding period, may serve to maintain contact between pair members, as well as play a role in territorial behavior. When pairs are raising pups, both adult foxes have been observed using a brief and repeated alarm call if they detect a potential threat to the young.
Breeding. In central Argentina, pups are born from October to December. Gestation lasts 55-60 days, and litter sizes range from 3-5. Dens may be located in a variety of shelters, such as a hole at the base of a tree trunk, an armadillo ( Dasypodidae spp.) den, or among rocks. Pups are frequently moved to a new location. The young stay at the den for the first three months. Both pair mates have been observed to guard the den, and males provide food to pups and females at the den. Females may breed at 8-12 months of age.
Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List and the Argentina Red List of Mammals. Abundant or common in most areas. In Argentina trade was prohibited in 1987. However,it continues to be hunted. In Uruguay and Paraguay the species is protected by law. In Argentina and southern Brazil the Pampas Fox was considered an important predator of sheep and goats, and was consequently persecuted by livestock ranchers. The Pampas Fox is currently threatened by the official implementation of control measures (promoted by ranchers) and the use of non-selective methods of capture. Fox control by government agencies involves the use of bounty systems without any thorough studies on population abundance or the real damage thatthis species may cause. In rural areas, direct persecution is also common, even where hunting is illegal. Most of the species’ range in the Pampas region has suffered massive habitat alteration due to extensive cattle ranching and agriculture. Although apparently able to withstand hunting pressure and habitat loss, the sum of these threats may nevertheless eventually cause the depletion of fox populations. Rural residents have traditionally hunted the Pampas Fox forits fur, an important source of income. Hunting pressure has resulted in diminished populations in north-west Argentina. In Uruguay, illegal trade is still widespread. Pampas Foxes are also frequently struck by cars in some areas.
Bibliography. Barquez et al. (1991), Branch (1994), Brooks (1992), Cabrera (1958), Cajal (1986), Chebez (1994), Cravino et al. (1997), Crespo (1971), Diaz & Ojeda (2000), Farias, A.A. (2000), Garcia, J. (1991), Garcia, V.B. (2001), Lucherini et al. (2004), Massoia (1982), Novaro & Funes (1994), Redford & Eisenberg (1992), Vuillermoz & Sapoznikow (1998), Zunino et al. (1995).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.