Systematics and conservation of the swift fox, Vulpes velox, in North America
Systematics and conservation of the swift fox, Vulpes velox, in North America
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北美雨狐 (Vulpes velox) 的系统学和保护
DOI：
10.1016/0006-3207(86)90045-5
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发表时间：
1986
影响因子：
5.9
通讯作者：
M. Boyce
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mark R. Stromberg;M. Boyce
北美的两个亚种，Vulpes velox velox和Vulpes velox hebes已经被描述过，但由于对系统地位的争议，后者的北方亚种不再被认为是濒危物种。我们分析了这些北美狐狸的形态变异，并得出结论，尽管存在显著的地理变异，但北方种群的亚特异性地位可能并不合理。由于地理变异可能反映遗传变异，我们认为它应该是保护工作的对象。尽管由于存在任意亚种分类，分类群可能受到不同的保护关注，但这种保护努力可能是可取的。加拿大野生动物管理局在阿尔伯塔省、萨斯喀彻温省和马尼托巴省启动了一项快速狐狸康复项目，在那里，狐狸从科罗拉多的种群中重新引入。我们敦促在这类项目中格外谨慎，因为它们有可能与大平原北部各州已知的罕见的狐獴杂交，并且可能丧失对北方严酷环境的遗传适应性。
Two subspecies of swift fox have been described for North America,Vulpes velox veloxandVulpes velox hebes, but the latter northern subspecies is no longer recognised as endangered due to controversy over systematic status. We analyse morphological variation in these North American foxes, and conclude that subspecific status for northern populations is probably not justified, even though there is significant geographic variation. Because geographic variation may reflect genetic variation, we feel it should be the object of conservation effort. Although taxa may receive variable conservation attention due to the existence of arbitrary subspecies classifications, such preservation efforts may be desirable.The Canadian Wildlife Service has initiated a swift fox rehabilitation project in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, where foxes are re-introduced from Colorado stock. We urge extreme caution in such programmes because of risk of interbreeding with rare swift foxes known to exist in northern Great Plains states and potential loss of genetic adaption to the rigours of northern environments.