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A phylogenetic analysis of basal metabolism, total evaporative water loss, and life-history among foxes from desert and mesic regions

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Abstract

We measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) and total evaporative water loss (TEWL) of species of foxes that exist on the Arabian Peninsula, Blanford’s fox (Vulpes cana) and two subspecies of Red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Combining these data with that on other canids from the literature, we searched for specialization of physiological traits among desert foxes using both conventional least squares regression and regressions based on phylogenetic independent contrasts. Further, we explored the consequences of reduced body size of foxes on life history parameters such as litter size and neonate mass. For Blanford’s foxes, Red foxes from the central desert of Arabia, and Red foxes from the more mesic Asir mountains, body mass averaged 1,285±52 g, 1,967±289 g, and 3,060±482 g, respectively, whereas mean BMR, during summer, was 304.5±32.3 kJ/day, 418.0±32.4 kJ/day, and 724.1±120.2 kJ/day (±SD). An analysis of covariance with body mass as a covariate showed no statistical differences in BMR among foxes. Analysis of covariance indicated that Red fox from the Asir mountains had a higher TEWL than Red foxes from central Arabia or than Blanford’s foxes also from the mountains. Comparisons of all species of desert and mesic foxes showed no significant differences in BMR, nor did desert foxes have a significantly lower BMR than other carnivores. TEWL of desert foxes was lower than other more mesic carnivores; deviations in TEWL ranged from −17.7% for the Fennec fox (Fennecus zerda) to −57.4% for the Kit fox (Vulpes velox). Although desert foxes have a BMR comparable to other more mesic species, it appears that desert foxes do have a smaller body mass, lowering overall energy requirements. We attribute this reduction in body size to the “resource limitation hypothesis” whereby natural selection favors smaller individuals in a resource-limited environment, especially during periods of severe food shortage. However, until common garden experiments are performed, developmental plasticity and acclimation cannot be ruled out as contributors to this pattern.

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Abbreviations

BMR :

basal metabolic rate

CLSR :

conventional least squares regression

MYA :

million years ago

PIC :

phylogenetic independent contrasts

T a :

ambient temperature

TEWL :

total evaporative water loss

TNZ :

thermoneutral zone

V̇O 2 :

oxygen consumption

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Acknowledgements

We wish to express our appreciation to the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for support during our research efforts. Wildlife research programs at the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) have been made possible through the initiative of Prince Saud Al Faisal and under the guidance of Dr. Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada. We thank A. Khoja and P. Paillat for logistical support throughout the study. For critical comments on an early version of the manuscript, we thank E. Geffen and several anonymous reviewers. Funding for this project was received from the NWRC and from the National Science Foundation (JBW). Experiments were approved by the NCWCD, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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  1. Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, 318 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

    J. B. Williams & A. Muñoz-Garcia

  2. National Wildlife Research Center, P.O. Box 1086, Taif, Saudi Arabia

    S. Ostrowski

  3. Zoological Laboratory, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA, Haren, The Netherlands

    B. I. Tieleman

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  1. J. B. Williams
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  2. A. Muñoz-Garcia
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  3. S. Ostrowski
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  4. B. I. Tieleman
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Correspondence to J. B. Williams.

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Communicated by G. Heldmaier

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Williams, J.B., Muñoz-Garcia, A., Ostrowski, S. et al. A phylogenetic analysis of basal metabolism, total evaporative water loss, and life-history among foxes from desert and mesic regions. J Comp Physiol B 174, 29–39 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-003-0386-0

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