Noninvasive DNA sampling and camera trapping suggest dramatic regional conservation status of an understudied carnivore: the Rüppell’s fox in Tunisia

Abstract

ABSTRACTRüppell’s fox, Vulpes rueppellii, is one of the four fox species occurring in North Africa. Its population status and ecology remains largely unknown. Here, we collected occurrence data from camera trapping and scat-collection based mitochondrial control region sequencing to assess the distribution range and status of the species across potential habitats in Tunisia. The collection and analysis of 342 scat samples resulted in 234 sequences of the mitochondrial control region. Our results did not reveal any evidence of Rüppell’s fox presence in Tunisia. In contrast, three other mesocarnivores were commonly recorded by camera trapping and molecular data, namely African wolf ‘Canis lupaster’, red fox ‘Vulpes vulpes’ and fennec fox ‘V. zerda’. The three species exhibited distinct geographical affinities, which are reflected in different habitat selection patterns. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on the distribution of V. rueppellii in North Africa using both camera trapping and noninvasive genetic methods. In terms of conservation, it seems urgent to characterise the status of this species in North Africa, and particularly in Tunisia.