Individual and seasonal variation in contact rate, connectivity and centrality in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) social groups

Jo Dorning,Stephen Harris

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-56713-3

Abstract

Examining temporal variation in social connectivity and relating this to individual behaviour can help understand the role of individuals within social groups. Although red foxes are solitary foragers, they form social groups at higher population densities. To investigate the effects of season, sex and status on social connectivity in red fox social groups, we set camera traps for four consecutive seasons to record contact rates and social network metrics at food patches in seven fox territories. Higher food availability was associated with higher contact rates. Individual contact rates peaked in different seasons depending on sex and social status. Dominant foxes held central network positions in all seasons but there was no consistent pattern in social connections within territories, suggesting a greater influence of features such as group size and composition on network structure than seasonal behaviour. Increased extraterritorial movements by males during winter contributed to a significant reduction in local network connectivity. Female network strength did not vary with season, suggesting that females play an important role in maintaining year-round group cohesion. These data advance our understanding of canid social systems, the benefits of group-living in solitary foraging carnivores, and the impacts of management interventions for an ecologically important species.

Highlights

There is a long-standing perception that canids are some of the more social mammals, with social groups based around a dominant pair
We used camera traps set at food patches to investigate whether red fox social cohesion varied between seasons, the effects of individual and environmental attributes on sociality, and whether the structure of red fox social groups is similar to other canids
In particular we addressed the following hypotheses: (i) social cohesion is highest in summer during cub rearing and lowest in winter; (ii) seasons affect males and females differently due to male-biased dispersal and mate-searching behaviour; (iii) dominant foxes occupy more central network positions than subordinates; (iv) females occupy more central network positions due to frequent extra-territorial movements by males; and (v) sociality is correlated with food availability because, while foxes forage alone, they share food patches

Summary

Introduction

There is a long-standing perception that canids are some of the more social mammals, with social groups based around a dominant pair. Red foxes Vulpes vulpes are medium-sized canids whose social organisation is determined by population density[4] At high densities they can form groups of up to ten adults (animals > 1 year old) comprising equal numbers of males and females[4,5,6,7]. In particular we addressed the following hypotheses: (i) social cohesion is highest in summer during cub rearing and lowest in winter; (ii) seasons affect males and females differently due to male-biased dispersal and mate-searching behaviour; (iii) dominant foxes occupy more central network positions than subordinates; (iv) females occupy more central network positions due to frequent extra-territorial movements by males; and (v) sociality is correlated with food availability because, while foxes forage alone, they share food patches

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion