dcsimg

Untitled

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Darwin’s foxes (Pseudalopex fulvipes) were previously considered a subspecies of Argentine gray foxes, as Pseudalopex griseus fulvipes. They are now considered a separate species, reasons include: their shorter legs and a darker pelage and the fact that they don't interbreed where the two are sympatric. Tests of mitochondrial DNA have concluded that Darwin’s foxes and Argentine gray foxes are distinct species (Yahnke et al., 1996). The cranium size has a shorter, broader facial region, a smaller auditory bullae, heavier dentition, occlusion of the premolars nearly complete, mandible angle deeper and heavier; all of which brings it closer to the Sechurae fox, rather than the Chilla fox, supporting a sister relationships between Argentine gray foxes and Darwin’s foxes (Yahnke, 1995).

Lycalopex griseus seems to have split from a more wolf-like lineage than did Vulpes about 7 million years ago. It evolved into its current form about 1 or 2 million years ago (Johnson, 1992).

Argentine gray foxes were previously recognized as Pseudalopex griseus.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Behavior

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The Argentine gray fox is protected by law in Chile but enforcementof this law is lax. No hunting or skin trade has been permitted since 1929 in some areas, although fox skins are still exported through Chile via Argentina. The Argentine Wildlife Board (Direccion Nacional de Fauna Silvestre) has classified the species as endangered. Hunting is banned year-round in some areas.

In Rio Nego, Patagonia, population levels have been stable since 1983, in spite of heavy harvesting for furs. Deep snowfall can depress population levels, but recovery is usually speedy.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix ii

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Life Cycle

provided by Animal Diversity Web

See Reproduction.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Local people believe that these foxes prey upon sheep and domestic fowl, although scat analysis indicates that such predation is probably not common.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

There is an important pelt trade in South America. According to CITES, from 1980 to 1983, 381,000 fox skins were exported, 98% of which were purported to have originated in Argentina. Over 7,000 skins were recorded as being exported from Chile, despite the species being protected in that country. Most exports were made to West Germany (72%), Switzerland (7.2%), and Italy (4.4%).

As noted previously, these carnivorous foxes eat both European rabbits and small rodents. They are therefore probably important in limiting pest populations.

Positive Impacts: body parts are source of valuable material; controls pest population

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The Argentine gray fox helps to control small mammal and bird populations. It also disperses seeds by eating the fruit then defecating the seeds.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Argentine gray foxes are omnivorous and diet changes seasonally. European rabbits and birds are preferred, as well as fruits, seeds, berries, small mammals, insects, scorpions, lizards, frogs, and bird eggs. Sheep predation is minimal and usually only eaten as carrion. In the winter months, carrion seems to become the most important food source, along with rodents and armadillos. (Johnson,1992; Puig, 1997; Jaksic, 1983) In areas of human habitation, L. griseus may take domestic poultry (Nowak, 1999).

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; eggs; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

Primary Diet: omnivore

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The Argentine gray fox is wide spread throughout Patagonia and western Argentina. It was introduced to Tierra del Fuego in 1951 to control the European rabbit. This area now has the highest population density. These foxes are also found on several small islands off the western coast of West Falkland, in Chile, southern Peru, and are believed to exist in central Peru. They live on both sides of the Andes Mountains (23° S to 55° S). Both hunting, legal and illegal, and the Lycalopex culpaeus may limit the gray fox’s distribution, even though their territories do not overlap.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The Argentine gray fox likes to live in lowlands and foothills of coastal mountain ranges, plains, pampas, deserts, low open grasslands and forest edge habitats. They live on shrubby sandy soils.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Life Expectancy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Data on lifespan for L. griseus are not available. However an individual from a congeneric species, Lycalopex gymnocercus, lived for 13 years and 8 months in capivity.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The coat is brindled gray, the underparts paler grays. The head is a rust color flecked with white and a black spot on the chin. The Argentine gray fox has large ears and a long and bushy tail. The molars are well developed, and the carnassials are relatively short. This fox can grow up to 2 to 4 kg. Its shoulder height is 40 to 45 cm, decreasing as latitude increases from 33° S to 54° S. The head-body length is 42 to 68 cm, and the tail length is from 30 to 36 cm.

Range mass: 2 to 4 kg.

Range length: 42 to 68 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Associations

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Predation on this species has not been described in the literature.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Studies of L. griseus in Patagonia indicate that mating is monogamous, with a mated pair maintaining their territory throughout the year. Occasionally, a second female was present on the territory, and assisted in rearing the young, although she did not produce young herself.

Mating System: monogamous ; cooperative breeder

The Argentine gray fox mates from August through September and the pups are born by October. The gestation period is 53 to 60 days and the litter size is 2 to 6 pups. Time of weaning is not known, but when the pups are 4 to 6 weeks, they start to leave the den with their mothers. By January, they go out by themselves to hunt for small mammals and arthropods. Age of sexual maturity is about 1 year.

Breeding interval: Argentine gray foxes breed once yearly.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs from August through October.

Range number of offspring: 2 to 6.

Range gestation period: 53 (high) days.

Average gestation period: 60 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous

Both males and females are active in caring for the young. As in all mammals, the female nurses the young, although there are not good data on lactation in this species. In general, canid young are altricial. The male helps to maintain the territory where prey are obtained, and, as in other members of the genus Lycalopex , may help to provide food for the growing family. Occasionally, an additional female is present on the territory, and she apparently also assists in rearing the young.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Knop, K. 2003. "Lycalopex griseus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lycalopex_griseus.html
author
Kenlyn Knop, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
editor
Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web