Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Factors influencing red fox occupancy probability in central Mongolia

  • Original Investigation
  • Published:
Mammalian Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) occurs widely throughout the northern hemisphere, but few models exist to describe the species’ distribution, especially in Asia where populations are thought to be declining in part due to habitat loss and conversion. We used an occupancy modeling approach to evaluate how landscape factors influence red fox distribution in a steppe region of Mongolia. We collected detection/non-detection data from four surveys of 124 sites from June to September 2010, then evaluated the support of six models to explain occupancy probability in the landscape. Models related occupancy probability to (1) cover habitat, (2) food-rich habitat, (3) open habitat with greater opportunities for vigilance, (4) human developments including herder camps and roads, and (5) marmot colonies, which provide denning sites. We also included a null model that no factors meaningfully influenced occupancy. We detected foxes at 38 sites (31% of total) and during 54 surveys (11% of total). Only the ‘cover’ model demonstrated strong empirical support. This model suggested that occupancy probability was positively influenced by the amount of rocky and shrubland habitats, which provide the most cover and concealment. Red foxes are intensively hunted in Mongolia (and elsewhere in Asia) and probably seek these habitats to avoid detection, suggesting that hunting pressure influences patterns of distribution. Our results provide a model that may be applied to other steppe regions to map red fox distribution and explore how landscape changes may affect the species.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baker, S.J., Harris, S., 2004. Red foxes. In: Macdonald, D.W., Sillero-Zubiri, C. (Ed.), The Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom, pp. 207–216.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Batsaikhan, N., Samiya, R., Shar, S., King, S.R.B., 2010. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Mongolia. Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyce, M.S., McDonald, L.L., 1999. Relating populations to habitats using resource selection functions. Trends Ecol. Evol. 14, 268–272.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burnham, K., Anderson, D.R., 2002. Model Selection and Multimodel Inference: A Practical Information-theoretic Approach, 2nd ed. Springer, New York, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavallini, P., Lovari, S., 1991. Environmental factors influencing the use of habitat in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes. J. Zool. Lond. 223, 323–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, E.L., Munkhbat, J., Dulamtseren, S., Baillie, J.E.M., Batsaikhan, N., Samiya, R., Stubbe, M., 2006. Mongolian Red List of Mammals. Regional Red List Series. Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creel, S., Christianson, D., 2008. Relationships between direct predation and risk effects. Trends Ecol. Evol. 23, 194–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Creel, S., Winnie, J.,Maxwell, B., Hamlin, K., Creel, M., 2005. Elk alter habitat selection as an antipredator response to wolves. Ecology 86, 3387–3397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davie, H., Murdoch, J.D., Ankhbayar, L., Reading, R.P., 2014a. Measuring and mapping the influence of landscape factors on livestock predation by wolves in Mongolia. J. Arid Environ. 103, 85–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davie, H., Stokowski, P.A., Ankhbayar, L, Murdoch, J.D., 2014b. Herders and wolves in post-Soviet society: an ethnographic study in Mongolia’s Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. Hum. Dimens. Wildl. 19, 319–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, D.H., Tsengeg, P., Whitlock, P., Ellis, M.H., 1999. Predators as prey at a golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos eyrie in Mongolia. Ibis 141, 139–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gompper, M.E., Kays, R.W., Ray, J.C., Lapoint, S.D., Bogan, D.A., Cryan, J.R., 2006. A comparison of noninvasive techniques to survey carnivore communities in northeastern North America. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 34, 1142–1151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gower, C.N., Garrott, R.A., White, P.J., Watson, F.G.R., Cornish, S.S., Becker, M.S., 2008. Spatial responses of elk to wolf predation risk: using the landscape to balance multiple demands. In: Garrott, R.A., White, P.J., Watson, F.G.R. (Ed.), The Ecology of Large Mammals in Central Yellowstone - Sixteen Years of Integrated Field Studies. Academic Press, Terrestrial Ecology Series, London, United Kingdom, pp. 373–399.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, L.K., Day, C.C., Westover, M.D., Edgel, R.J., Larsen, R.T., Knight, R.N., McMillan, B.R., 2013. Vigilance of kit foxes at water sources: a test of competing hypotheses for a solitary carnivore subject to predation. Behav. Processes 94, 76–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heptner, V.G., Naumov, N.P., 1998. Mammals of the Soviet Union, vol. 2, part 1A. E.J. Brill, New York, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hines, J., 2006. PRESENCE2 - Software to Estimate Patch Occupancy and Related Parameters. USGS-PWRC https://doi.org/www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/software/presence.shtml

  • Jackson, D., Murdoch, J.D., Mandakh, B., 2006. Habitat classification using Landsat 7ETM+ imagery of the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve and surrounding areas in Dornogobi and Dundgobi Aimags, Mongolia. Mong. J. Biol. Sci. 4, 33–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larivière, S., Pasitschniak-Arts, M., 1996. Vulpes vulpes Mamm. Species 537, 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laundré, J.W., Hernández, L, Ripple, W.J., 2010. The landscape of fear: ecological implications of being afraid. Open Ecol. J. 3, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, R.A., Donovan, T.M., Mackay, P., Zielinski, W.J., Buzas, J.S., 2007. Comparing scat detection dogs, cameras, and hair snares for surveying carnivores. J. Wildl. Manag. 71, 2018–2025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, D.W., 1985. The carnivores: order Carnivora. In: Brown, R.E., Macdonald, D.W. (Ed.), Social Odours in Mammals. Clarendon Press, Oxford, United Kingdom, pp. 619–722.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, D.W., Buesching, CD., Stopka, P., Henderson, J., Ellwood, S.A., Baker, S.E., 2004. Encounters between two sympatric carnivores: red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and European badgers (Meles meles). J. Zool. Lond. 263, 385–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, D.W., Reynolds, J.C., 2004. Red fox Vulpes vulpes. In: Sillero-Zubiri, C, Hoffmann, M., Macdonald, D.W. (Ed.), Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland/Cambridge, United Kingdom, pp. 129–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie, D.I., Bailey, L.L., 2004. Assessing the fit of site-occupancy models. J. Agric. Biol. Environ. Stat. 9, 300–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie, D.I., Bailey, L.L., Nichols, J.D., 2004. Investigating species co-occurence patterns when species are detected imperfectly. J. Anim. Ecol. 73, 546–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie, D.I., Nichols, J.D., Hines, J., Knutson, M., Franklin, A.B., 2003. Estimating site occupancy, colonization, and local extinction when a species is detected imperfectly. Ecology 84, 2200–2207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie, D.I., Nichols, J.D., Lachman, G.B., Droege, S., Royle, J.A., Langtimm, C.A., 2002. Estimating site occupancy rates when detection probabilities are less than one. Ecology 83, 2248–2255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie, D.I., Nichols, J.D., Royle, J.A., Pollock, K.H., Bailey, L.L., Hines, J.E., 2006. Occupancy Estimation and Modeling Inferring Patterns and Dynamics of Species Occurrence. Academic Press, Burlington, MA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, M.L., Marcot, B.G., Mannan, R.W., 2006. Wildlife-Habitat Relationships. Island Press, Washington, DC, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munkhzul, T., Buuveibaatar, B., Murdoch, J.D., Reading, R.P., Samiya, R., 2012. Factors affecting home ranges of red foxes in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia. Mong. J. Biol. Sci. 10, 51–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, J.D., (DPhil. dissertation) 2009. Competition and Niche Separation Between Corsac and Red Foxes in Mongolia. University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

  • Murdoch, J.D., Munkhzul, T., Buyandelger, S., Reading, R.P., 2007. Biotope of corsac fox and red fox in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. Mong. J. Biol. Sci. 5, 7–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, J.D., Munkhzul, T., Buyandelger, S., Reading, R.P., Sillero-Zubiri, C, 2009. The endangered Siberian marmot Marmota sibirica as a keystone species? Observations and implications of burrow use by corsac foxes Vulpes corsac in Mongolia. Oryx 43, 431–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, J.D., Munkhzul, T., Buyandelger, S., Reading, R.P., Sillero-Zubiri, C, 2010a. Seasonal food habits of corsac and red foxes in Mongolia and the potential for competition. Mamm. Biol. 75, 36–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, J.D., Munkhzul, T., Buyandelger, S., Sillero-Zubiri, C, 2010b. Survival and cause-specific mortality of corsac and red foxes in Mongolia. J. Wildl. Manage 74, 59–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, J.V., Goldizen, A.W., O’Leary, R.A., McAlpine, C.A., Possingham, H.P., Choy, S.L., 2009. How useful is expert opinion for predicting the distribution of a species within and beyond the region of expertise? A case study using brushtailed rock-wallabies Petrogale penicillata. J. Appl. Ecol. 46, 842–851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myagmarsuren, D., 2000. Special Protected Areas of Mongolia. Mongolian Environmental Protection Agency and GTZ. German Technical Advisory Agency, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ognev, S.I., 1962. Carnivora (Fissipedia). Mammals of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, vol. 2. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem, Israel.

  • Proffitt, K.M., Grigg,J.L., Hamlin, K.L., Garrott, R.A., 2009. Contrasting effects of wolves and human hunters on elk behavioral responses to predation risk. J. Wildl. Manag. 73, 345–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reading, R.P., Kenny, D., Steinhauer-Burkart, B., 2011. Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, 2nd ed. ECO Nature Edition Steinhauer-Burkart OHG, Oberaula, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, S., Kamnitzer, R., Munkhtsog, B., Harris, S., 2010. Den-site selection is critical for Pallas’s cats (Otocolobus manul). Can. J. Zool. 88, 905–913.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, S.E., 2006. Burrow cluster as a sampling unit: an approach to estimate marmot activity in the eastern steppe of Mongolia. Mong. J. Biol. Sci. 4, 31–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trombulak, S.C., Frissell, C.A., 2000. Review of ecological effects of roads on terrestrial and aquatic communities. Conserv. Biol. 14, 18–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wingard, J.R., Zahler, P., 2006. Silent Steppe: The Illegal Wildlife Trade Crisis in Mongolia. Mongolia Discussion Papers, East Asia and Pacific Environment and Social Development Department. World Bank, Washington, DC, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirsing, A.J., Ripple, W.J., 2011. A comparison of shark and wolf research reveals similar behavioral responses by prey. Front. Ecol. Environ. 9, 335–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, J.N., Han, S.H., Kim, B.H., Kryukov, A.P., Kim, S., Lee, B.Y., Kwak, M., 2012. Insights into Korean red fox (Vulpes vulpes) based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variation in East Asia. Zool. Sci. 29, 753–760.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zahler, P., Lkhagvasuren, B., Reading, R.P., Wingard, G.J., Amgalanbaatar, S., Gombobaatar, S., Barton, N., Onon, Y., 2004. Illegal and unsustainable wildlife hunting and trade in Mongolia. Mong. J. Biol. Sci. 2, 23–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zielinski, W.J., Kucera,T.E., 1995. American Marten, Fisher, Lynx, and Wolverine: Survey Methods for their Detection. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report PSW GTR-157. Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA, USA.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Zipkin, E.F., Royle, J.A., Dawson, D.K., Bates, S., 2010. Multi-species occurrence models to evaluate the effects of conservation and management actions. Biol. Conserv. 143, 479–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Hannah Davie

    Present address: School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, NG25 0QF, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vermont, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Program, George D. Aiken Center, 05405, Burlington, VT, USA

    James D. Murdoch & Hannah Davie

  2. Denver Zoo - Mongolia Program, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

    Munkhchuluun Galbadrah

  3. Denver Zoological Foundation, Conservation Biology Department, 2300 Steele Street, 80205, Denver, CO, USA

    Richard P. Reading

Authors
  1. James D. Murdoch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hannah Davie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Munkhchuluun Galbadrah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Richard P. Reading
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James D. Murdoch.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Murdoch, J.D., Davie, H., Galbadrah, M. et al. Factors influencing red fox occupancy probability in central Mongolia. Mamm Biol 81, 82–88 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.12.001

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.12.001

Keywords

Search

Navigation