Disease Reveals the Predator: Sarcoptic Mange, Red Fox Predation, and Prey Populations

摘要: An epizootic of sarcoptic mange was prevalent among Scandinavian red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) during the late 1970s and 1980s. By substantially reducing population density foxes, created a natural experiment on importance fox predation for prey density. The started to recover We monitored populations its [voles (Cricetidae), mountain hare (Lepus timidus), European (L. europaeus), Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), Black Grouse (T. tetrix), Hazel (Bonasa bonasia), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)] throughout event, local (101—102 km2), regional (104 national scale. Methods included den counts, snap—trapping, pellet/dropping counts displaying birds, young/adult ratio from incidental observations deer, questionnaires, hunting records. study revealed as crucial factor in limiting numbers hares grouse well fawns per doe autumn, conveying 3—4 yr cyclic fluctuation pattern voles small game. classical view, that predators take but doomed surplus their prey, false these species Scandinavia.