'Non-breeders' in the red fox Vulpes vulpes: a case of resource surplus

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1984
Authors:Von Schantz, T
Journal:Oikos
Volume:42
Date Published:1984
Keywords:Vulpes vulpes
Abstract:

During a 7 year study in S Sweden the spring density of red fox remained fairly stable, although its main prey, rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus changed markedly in density between years. When rabbits were most abundant, probably more than one female in each fox group bred. Competition between breeding females within the groups lowered the foxes' reproductive success when the rabbit density began to decrease. From the 2nd year of rabbit decline, only one female per group bred, and about half of the group members (and the population) were non-breeders, presumably mainly females. The rabbit density was exceptionally low in the last 2yr of the study (1980, 1981). In 1980, when non-breeders still were present, the foxes' reproductive success was low. Although rabbit density in spring 1981 equalled that in 1980 the number of foxes had dropped and few non-breeders were present. Yet production of fox cubs was considerably larger in 1981 than in 1980. Rather than non-breeders in this population really helping the breeders in their reproductive effort, the evolution of kinship-groups in the red fox may be induced by a temporary resource surplus within the territories.

Taxonomic name: 
Thu, 2014-03-20 13:04 -- admin
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ade1b012674ce3dd941e2ea5dd15cc1.jpg?d=https%3A//mammals.indianbiodiversity.org/sites/all/modules/contrib/gravatar/avatar.png&s=100&r=G
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith