Swift Fox Behaviour and ConservationSafi K. Darden

University of Copenhagen

Swift Fox Habitat and Range

Talk Overview

Can we apply IBP models to research in areas of swift fox behaviour and swift fox conservation?

i. Swift fox behaviour

ii. Carnivore conservation

-Communication networks

-Vocal identity coding

Swift Fox Behaviour: Spatial Organization

Swift Fox Behaviour: Communication

Long-range vocal communication using the barking sequence

Olfactory communication

Communication Networks

Communication Networks

Behavioural Questions

How are the foxes using vocal and scent marking behaviour in the spatial environment?

Can we predict patterns of spatial organization based on signaling behaviour?

Carnivore Conservation

Population dynamics – counting and monitoring populations and sub-groups of populations

Requires accurate census methods with some degree of sub-group resolution and evaluation of census methods

individual discrimination

sub-group discrimination

individual discrimination

sub-group discrimination

Carnivore Censuses

Traditional methods involve trapping and marking and are invasive

Non-invasive methods using natural variation are promising but less common

Vocal Identity Coding in the Swift Fox

Multivariate test (DFA) for individual and gender differences

Over 98% of barking sequences were classified to the correct individual

Over 96% of barking sequences were classified to the correct sex

individual discrimination

sub-group discrimination

Conservation Questions

How might we design a census technique using the elicitation of barking sequences from foxes in the population to get the most accurate results?

Can we use the information extracted from barking sequences to evaluate existing census methods?

Acknowledgements

Torben Dabelsteen

Simon Boel Pedersen

Cochrane Ecological Institute