Abstract
Cannibalism, or intraspecific predation, occurs when an individual consumes another individual of its own species; c.f. ‘cannibalistic/conspecific/intraspecific necrophagy’ when the individual consumes all or part of a dead conspecific. These behaviors are widespread across animal taxa but are considered rare among mammalian carnivores. The consumption of conspecifics could involve ecological and nutritional benefits in providing high-quality resources. However, it can carry potential risks such as those related to pathogen transmission. Despite this, the overall role of conspecific consumption in disease transmission among animals has received little attention. Here, we report the first direct observations of cannibalistic necrophagy in red foxes Vulpes vulpes. Our photographs of this behavior prompt speculation on the role of cannibalism in fox population dynamics and intraspecific disease transmission. We placed six fox and seven lamb carcasses of similar size to determine possible differences in the scavenging behavior of red foxes between dead conspecifics and heterospecifics. Conspecific necrophagy was recorded at all fox carcasses, involving foxes scavenging fox carcasses at different stages of decay. Carcass detection time by foxes was similar at both fox and lamb carcasses, but lambs were completely consumed in a shorter period, evidencing a preference for heterospecific consumption. Our findings contrast with other studies which argue that cannibalism avoidance in mammalian carnivores is due to an evolutionary strategy to reduce the probability of disease transmission. In fact, our observations of conspecific necrophagy provide direct evidence against the parasite-avoidance hypothesis, suggesting that carnivore and conspecific carcasses can represent an alternative trophic resource for foxes in certain areas and circumstances.
Highlights
Cannibalism, or intraspecific predation, is the act of consuming all or part of an individual of the same species which the predator has killed
Direct observations of carnivores scavenging on carnivore carcasses are less common, especially involving conspecifics (Abernethy et al 2016; Moleón et al 2017; Muñoz-Lozano et al 2019)
Conspecific necrophagy was recorded at all fox carcasses, and foxes completely scavenged two fresh carcasses, one actively decaying and two in an advanced state of decay, while in one carcass in advanced decay only bone remains were consumed (Table 1, Fig. 1)
Summary
Cannibalism, or intraspecific predation, is the act of consuming all or part of an individual of the same species (conspecifics) which the predator has killed. Keywords Cannibalism · Conspecific necrophagy · Disease transmission · Carnivore carcasses · Scavenger · Mammalian carnivores We report the first direct observations of conspecific necrophagy in red foxes Vulpes vulpes (Table 1, Fig. 1) and our photographs of this behavior prompt speculation on the role of necrophagy in fox population dynamics and intraspecific disease transmission.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
