Arctic Fox Research Articles

The Summer Diet of the Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) in Iceland

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a rare resident species in Iceland and nests have been found intermittently. Nests are unusual because lemmings (Dicrostonyx spp. and Lemmus spp.), the primary prey of the Snowy Owl across much of its distribution, do not occur in Iceland. We studied summer diets by analyzing pellets from three areas in Iceland where owls were detected; breeding was confirmed at two of these sites. We identified 257 prey items (total mass of 73.6 kg) of at least 13 species. Birds made up most of the diet (96.5% by number). The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) was the primary prey species (30.4%). Shorebirds were important prey (46.2%), and passerines (5.1%), as well as waterfowl (6.3%), were also taken. Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus; 2.7%) and Arctic fox pups (Vulpes lagopus; 0.8%) were taken occasionally. Adult prey birds made up 60.3% and nestlings 36.3% of the diet by number.

Modeling the Dynamics of Predator-Prey Community with Age Structures

A model of the predator-prey community has been proposed with specific stages of individual development and the seasonality of breeding processes. It is assumed each of the species has an age structure with two stages of development. The case typical for the community “Arctic fox – rodents” is modeled. An analytical and numerical study of the model proposed is made. It is shown that periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic oscillations can occur in the system, as well as a shift in the dynamics mode as a result of changes in the current sizes of the community’s populations. The model proposed demonstrates long-period oscillations with time delay like auto-oscillations in the classical model of Lotka-Volterra. It is shown that a transition from stable dynamics to quasi-periodic oscillations and vise verse is possible in the system, while an increase in the values of the half capturing saturation coefficient reduces the possibility of quasiperiodic oscillation emergence. Simulations demonstrate the growth in predator’s consumption of the prey average number expands the zones of multistability and quasi-periodic dynamics in the stability area of nontrivial fixed point. Therefore, the variation of the current population size of the community can lead to a change in the dynamic mode observed. The scenarios of transition from stationary dynamics to community’s population fluctuations are analyzed with different values of population parameters determining the dynamics of both species and their interaction coefficient. The model shows both sustainable community development and various complex fluctuations of interacting species. At the same time, the prey dynamics affects the predator one: the prey population fluctuations initiate predator oscillations like prey’s fluctuations, while the intrapopulation parameters of the predator can give to both stationary and fluctuating dynamic modes.

Effects of Vitamin E and Selenium on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, and Metabolic Parameters in Growing Furring Blue Foxes (Alopex lagopus).

The objective of this study was to determine whether different dietary vitamin E (VE) and selenium (Se) levels affect the nutrient digestibility, production performance, and antioxidant abilities of growing furring blue foxes. A 4 × 2 factorial arrangement that included 4 levels of VE (0, 100, 200, or 400mg/kg diet from α-tocopherol acetate) and 2 levels of Se (0 or 0.2mg/kg diet from glycine selenium) was performed from mid-September to pelting. A metabolism study was conducted for four days starting at the 30th day of the trial. Serum samples were collected at the last day of the study. The results showed that supplementation of growing furring blue fox diets with VE and Se significantly affected the average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (F:G) (P < 0.05). Dietary Se supplementation enhanced protein and fat digestibility of male blue foxes. There were significant effects of different VE and Se levels in diets on serum antioxidant parameters and metabolic parameters of blue foxes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this research indicated that dietary supplementation with VE improved ADG and F:G of blue foxes. Addition of VE and Se to blue fox diets increased the antioxidant capacity of blue foxes. The diet with high VE and Se supplementation reduced glucose and triglycerides concentrations in serum. The present study found that growing furring blue foxes had increased growth performance and antioxidant abilities when fed diets with 200mg VE/kg and nearly 0.1mg Se/kg.

Age-Related Changes in the Tissue Antioxidant System of Canids

The study was aimed at determining tissue antioxidant levels in three closely related albeit ecologically different Canidae species: the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), silver fox (Vulpes vulpes) and blue fox (Vulpes lagopus), aged 0.5 (juvenile), 1.5–3.5 (adult) and 4.5–5.5 (aging) years. Some tested parameters were found to be species-specific: as compared to other species, raccoon dogs and blue foxes exhibited higher α-tocopherol levels in the liver and kidney, blue foxes were characterized by a higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes in the kidneys, while silver foxes had higher glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver, kidneys and heart. The antioxidant defense system in all organs of the tested species was distinguished by a relative stability. In raccoon dogs, the retinol level in the heart increased with age, while in silver foxes it is only superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the kidneys and the GSH level in the liver and heart that underwent significant changes with age. In blue foxes, aging was accompanied by an increase in liver retinol and kidney α-tocopherol levels as well as a decrease in the kidney GSH level. Besides, sex differences were found in antioxidant levels in blue foxes. Our results are consistent with the data obtained by other authors for other animal species, indicating a mixed pattern of age-related changes in the antioxidant defense system of carnivorous canids. While some antioxidants rise and the other fall, the functionality of the whole system does not appear to be disturbed. Ecological and physiological features of different mammalian species may determine the adaptive potential of animals and affect the tested indicators of the antioxidant defense system during late postnatal ontogenesis.

Levels and trends of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in the Arctic environment – An update

Abstract Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are important environmental contaminants globally and in the early 2000s they were shown to be ubiquitous contaminants in Arctic wildlife. Previous reviews by Butt et al. and Letcher et al. have covered studies on levels and trends of PFASs in the Arctic that were available to 2009. The purpose of this review is to focus on more recent work, generally published between 2009 and 2018, with emphasis on PFASs of emerging concern such as perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and short-chain perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) and their precursors. Atmospheric measurements over the period 2006–2014 have shown that fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) as well as perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) are the most prominent PFASs in the arctic atmosphere, all with increasing concentrations at Alert although PFOA concentrations declined at the Zeppelin Station (Svalbard). Results from ice cores show generally increasing deposition of PFCAs on the Devon Ice cap in the Canadian arctic while declining fluxes were found in a glacier on Svalbard. An extensive dataset exists for long-term trends of long-chain PFCAs that have been reported in Arctic biota with some datasets including archived samples from the 1970s and 1980s. Trends in PFCAs over time vary among the same species across the North American Arctic, East and West Greenland, and Svalbard. Most long term time series show a decline from higher concentrations in the early 2000s. However there have been recent (post 2010) increasing trends of PFCAs in ringed seals in the Canadian Arctic, East Greenland polar bears and in arctic foxes in Svalbard. Annual biological sampling is helping to determine these relatively short term changes. Rising levels of some PFCAs have been explained by continued emissions of long-chain PFCAs and/or their precursors and inflows to the Arctic Ocean, especially from the North Atlantic. While the effectiveness of biological sampling for temporal trends in long-chain PFCAs and PFSAs has been demonstrated, this does not apply to the C4–C8–PFCAs, perfluorobutane sulfonamide (FBSA), or perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) which are generally present at low concentrations in biota. In addition to air sampling, sampling abiotic media such as glacial cores, and annual sampling of lake waters and seawater would appear to be the best approaches for investigating trends in the less bioaccumulative PFASs.

The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el

Reviewed by: The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Bar-el, Dan The Very, Very Far North; illus. by Kelly Pousette. Atheneum, 2019 [272p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3341-0 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-5344-3343-4 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 3-5 Meandering down the shoreline of the Cold, Cold Ocean in search of the best napping spot, Duane the polar bear sees a shipwreck off the coast. Exploring is the one thing Duane likes better than napping, so he heads out and discovers an owl, whom he names C.C., residing in the unsubmerged captain’s quarters. C.C. suggests to Duane that he stay in a comfy nearby cave, and after settling in, Duane is off to explore his new environment, meeting many wondrous friends along the way. Duane is kin to Winnie the Pooh, with an affable nature and an endearing [End Page 7] cluelessness that leads to moments of sage wisdom. The fourteen episodic chapters following the adventures of Duane and his buddies focus on friendship with a special emphasis on accepting and respecting differences among pals. Magic, an energetic arctic fox, is loads of fun but a bit overwhelming; C.C. doesn’t really like anyone to touch her but she’s happy to share her knowledge of science and nature; Handsome the musk ox is often distracted by his own reflection but will rescue his friends in a jiffy; and worrywart Twitch the hare is carefully observant of others’ feelings. Direct addresses from the narrator invite youngsters in with gentle humor, and Pousette’s illustrations, black and white spot art appearing with pleasant frequency, give the animal characters an appealing toylike sensibility. This would make a fine companion to Milne’s classic or Lobel’s Frog and Toad, like those serving as a satisfying readaloud as well as a readalone; kiddos whose tastes tend toward the cozy will find warmth and comfort in Duane’s frosty world. Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN ARCTIC FOXES (VULPES LAGOPUS): A LONG-TERM MARK-RECAPTURE SEROLOGIC STUDY AT KARRAK LAKE, NUNAVUT, CANADA.

Transmission dynamics of Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite of importance for wildlife and human health, are enigmatic in the Arctic tundra, where free-ranging wild and domestic felid definitive hosts are absent and rarely observed, respectively. Through a multiyear mark-recapture study (2011-17), serosurveillance was conducted to investigate transmission of T. gondii in Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) in the Karrak Lake region, Nunavut, Canada. Sera from adult foxes and fox pups were tested for antibodies to T. gondii by using serologic methods, including the indirect fluorescent antibody test, direct agglutination test, and modified agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 39% in adults and 17% in pups. Mature foxes were more likely to be exposed (seroconvert) than young foxes (less than 1 yr old), with the highest level of seroprevalence in midaged foxes (2-4 yr old). Pups in two different litters were seropositive on emergence from the den, around 5 wk old, which could have been due to passive transfer of maternal antibody or vertical transmission of T. gondii from mother to offspring. The seropositive pups were born of seropositive mothers that were also seropositive the year before they gave birth, suggesting that vertical transmission might not be limited to litters from mothers exposed to T. gondii for the first time in pregnancy. All recaptured seropositive foxes remained seropositive on subsequent captures, suggesting that antibodies persist or foxes are constantly reexposed or a combination of both. The results of this study provided insights into how foxes were likely exposed to T. gondii, the dynamics of antibody persistence and immune response, and how the parasite was maintained in a terrestrial Arctic ecosystem in the absence of felid definitive hosts.

Влияние гумивала на качество шкурковой продукции молодняка песца клеточного разведения

Влияние гумивала на качество шкурковой продукции молодняка песца клеточного разведения

The fluctuating world of a tundra predator guild: bottom‐up constraints overrule top‐down species interactions in winter

Global warming is predicted to change ecosystem functioning and structure in Arctic ecosystems by strengthening top‐down species interactions, i.e. predation pressure on small herbivores and interference between predators. Yet, previous research is biased towards the summer season. Due to greater abiotic constraints, Arctic ecosystem characteristics might be more pronounced in winter. Here we test the hypothesis that top‐down species interactions prevail over bottom‐up effects in Scandinavian mountain tundra (Northern Sweden) where effects of climate warming have been observed and top‐down interactions are expected to strengthen. But we test this ‘a priori’ hypothesis in winter and throughout the 3–4 yr rodent cycle, which imposes additional pulsed resource constraints. We used snowtracking data recorded in 12 winters (2004–2015) to analyse the spatial patterns of a tundra predator guild (arctic fox Vulpes lagopus, red fox Vulpes vulpes, wolverine Gulo gulo) and small prey (ptarmigan, Lagopus spp). The a priori top‐down hypothesis was then tested through structural equation modelling, for each phase of the rodent cycle. There was weak support for this hypothesis, with top‐down effects only discerned on arctic fox (weakly, by wolverine) and ptarmigan (by arctic fox) at intermediate and high rodent availability respectively. Overall, bottom‐up constraints appeared more influential on the winter community structure. Cold specialist predators (arctic fox and wolverine) showed variable landscape associations, while the boreal predator (red fox) appeared strongly dependent on productive habitats and ptarmigan abundance. Thus, we suggest that the unpredictability of food resources determines the winter ecology of the cold specialist predators, while the boreal predator relies on resource‐rich habitats. The constraints imposed by winters and temporary resource lows should therefore counteract productivity‐driven ecosystem change and have a stabilising effect on community structure. Hence, the interplay between summer and winter conditions should determine the rate of Arctic ecosystem change in the context of global warming.

SURVEY OF ARCTIC ALASKAN WILDLIFE FOR INFLUENZA A ANTIBODIES: LIMITED EVIDENCE FOR EXPOSURE OF MAMMALS

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are maintained in wild waterbirds and have the potential to infect a broad range of species, including wild mammals. The Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska supports a diverse suite of species, including waterfowl that are common hosts of IAVs. Mammals co-occur with geese and other migratory waterbirds during the summer breeding season, providing a plausible mechanism for interclass transmission of IAVs. To estimate IAV seroprevalence and identify the subtypes to which geese, loons, Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus), caribou ( Rangifer tarandus), and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) are potentially exposed, we used a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) and a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay to screen for antibodies to IAVs in samples collected during spring and summer of 2012-16. Apparent IAV seroprevalence using the bELISA was 50.3% in geese (range by species: 46-52.8%), 9% in loons (range by species: 3-20%), and 0.4% in Arctic foxes. We found no evidence for exposure to IAVs in polar bears or caribou by either assay. Among geese, we estimated detection probability from replicate bELISA analyses to be 0.92 and also found good concordance (>85%) between results from bELISA and HI assays, which identified antibodies reactive to H1, H6, and H9 subtype IAVs. In contrast, the HI assay detected antibodies in only one of seven loon samples that were positive by bELISA; that sample had low titers to both H4 and H5 IAV subtypes. Our results provide evidence that a relatively high proportion of waterbirds breeding on the Arctic Coastal Plain are exposed to IAVs, although it is unknown whether such exposure occurs locally or on staging or wintering grounds. In contrast, seroprevalence of IAVs in concomitant Arctic mammals is apparently low.

Karyometric and electron microscopic studies of dark and light cells of the adrenal cortex in mammals

The purpose of this study is a comparative study of dark and light cells of cortical parenchyma of the adrenal glands in mammals using light and electron microscopy. Material and methods. Cariometric and electron microscopic studies of the adrenal glands of 9 mammalian species have been carried out: Vulpes vulpes (fox), Vulpes lagopus (arctic fox), Canis familiaris (dog), Мartes zibellina (sable), Mustela vison (mink), Enhydra lutris (sea ape); Castor fiber (river beaver); Callorhinus ursinus (fur seal); Ovis aries (sheep). Serial paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, iron hematoxylin, Heidenheim azan, the PAS-reaction was used, the color of the trichrome-PAS and the tetrachromium-PAS. RNA was detected by the reaction of Brashe and gallocyanin by Einarsson. For the detection of lipids, frozen sections were stained with Sudan III + IV, Black Sudan. The number of dark and light cells in the cortex of the adrenal mink in different seasons was determined. On electron micrographs, the amount of lipid droplets and mitochondria in the fascicle of the adrenal cortex was counted. Results. In the cortex of the adrenal glands of mammals, dark and light cells are present. Dark cells, as far as accumulation of sudanophilic substances are converted into light cells, which with further accumulation of lipids undergo destructive changes. Also found are the dark dying cells of the adrenal cortex, characterized by densification of the cytoplasm, pycnosis of nuclei, accumulation of yellow-brown pigment. Dark cells have larger nuclei, give more intense reaction to RNA and ketosteroids and are more active secretory cells compared to light adrenocorticocytes. Electron microscopy in dark cells reveals a large number of mitochondria and a significant amount of lipid droplets are present. Light cells contain many lipid inclusions and few mitochondria.

Performance in blue fox (Vulpes lagopus) fed low-protein diets supplemented with DL-methionine and L-histidine

The effects of low-protein diets supplemented with DL-methionine (MET) and L-histidine (HIS) on growth, pelt size and pelt quality were studied in two performance trials conducted at the Kannus Research Farm Luova Ltd, Finland. Both trials were conducted with 200 blue foxes, caged male-female pairs, initial age on average 20 weeks (trial 1) and 25 weeks (trial 2). In trial 1, diets contained digestible crude protein (DCP) 24%, 20% and 16% of metabolisable energy (ME). In trial 2, diets contained DCP 20%, 16.5% and 13% of ME. In both trials, the middle protein level was fed with or without MET and the lowest protein level was fed with MET and with or without HIS. In trial 1, blue foxes showed the greatest average daily gain (ADG) in the highest protein diet. Pelt size and pelt quality were not affected. In trial 2, blue foxes showed the greatest ADG in the low-protein groups. Pelt size and pelt quality were not affected.

Results of latest paleontological, stratigraphic and geoarchaeological research of the Volchia Griva mammoth fauna site

The Volchia Griva is the largest site in Asia where the mammoth fauna remains are buried in situ. It is located in the Baraba forest-steppe (Western Siberia). In the 20th century, remains of at least 70 mammoths, 5 horses, 3 bisons and 1 wolf, as well as 37 stone artifacts were found here. The latest excavations of 2015–2017 on ~30 m2 revealed over 1500 bones and teeth, 95% of which belong to mammoths (at least 14 individuals), and the rest are from horses (3), bison, wolf, red fox, arctic fox, and rodents; associated artifacts – 23 items. With an average thickness of the bonebearing lens ~ 0.3–0.5 m, the local remain concentration exceeded 130/m2. The forty five crossed 14C dates were obtained from these materials, which reveal a burial period of ~20–10 ka BP. Obviously, there was the southernmost and one of the youngest mammoth refugia of Eurasia on this territory. The favorable Ca-Na geochemical landscape of the beast solonetz was the main reason for mammoth to visit the Volchia Griva. During the mineral starvation, the site attracted hundreds of large mammals, the remains of which were buried in mud baths and erosion forms. The main levels of the bone-bearing horizon have been forming for several thousand years, and that matched two waves of the megafauna’s geochemical stress in the Last Glacial Maximum and Late Glacial. Typical bone pathologies, such as exostoses, osteoporosis, erosion of articular surfaces, etc., characterize this process. These facts, together with the lack of strong evidence of hunting and butchering, indicate that the Volchia Griva was the natural mammoth death site, which was well known and used by Palaeolithic humans.

Distribution and genetic diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in various mammal and bird species in northeastern China

BackgroundBlastocystis is one of the most common intestinal parasites in humans and animals worldwide. At least 17 subtypes have been identified in mammals and birds. In China, although some studies have reported the occurrence of Blastocystis in humans and animals, our understanding of the role of animals in the transmission of human blastocystosis is only superficial due to a paucity of available molecular data. The aim of the present study was to understand infection rates of Blastocystis and the distribution and genetic diversity of subtypes in various mammal and bird species in northeastern China, as well as to assess the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates.MethodsA total of 1265 fresh fecal specimens (1080 from ten mammal species and 185 from eight bird species) were collected in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin provinces of China. Each specimen was examined for the presence of Blastocystis by PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the partial SSU rRNA gene.ResultsFifty-four specimens (4.3%) were positive for Blastocystis. Birds (7.0%) had a higher infection rate of Blastocystis than mammals (3.8%). Blastocystis was found in seven mammal species, reindeer (6.7%), sika deer (14.6%), racoon dogs (7.5%), Arctic foxes (1.9%), dogs (2.9%), rats (3.7%) and rabbits (3.3%), as well as three bird species, pigeons (2.1%), chickens (13.0%) and red crowned cranes (14.0%). Eight subtypes were identified including ST1 (n = 5), ST3 (n = 3), ST4 (n = 13), ST6 (n = 8), ST7 (n = 6), ST10 (n = 13), ST13 (n = 4) and ST14 (n = 2). 64.8% (35/54) of Blastocystis isolates belonged to potentially zoonotic subtypes.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first report of Blastocystis in reindeer (ST10 and ST13), rabbits (ST4), racoon dogs (ST3) and Arctic foxes (ST1, ST4 and ST7). The findings of potentially zoonotic subtypes suggest that the animals infected with Blastocystis might pose a threat to human health. These data will improve our understanding of the host range and genetic diversity of Blastocystis, and also help develop efficient control strategies to intervene with and prevent the occurrence of human blastocystosis in the investigated areas.

Morbillivirus-associated lipid pneumonia in Arctic foxes.

We describe lipid pneumonia in 5 of 24 Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus) in association with morbillivirus infection, and lymphoid depletion in 3 of these 5 foxes. Canine distemper virus (CDV) immunohistochemistry yielded positive staining in lung, lymph nodes, spleen, adipose tissue, and renal pelvic urothelial cells in 5 cases. Liver and bone marrow samples collected from these cases tested positive for morbillivirus by reverse-transcription PCR assay. Strains belonged to the CDV Arctic lineage based on sequencing of the hemagglutinin gene followed by phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of the phosphoprotein gene showed that the identified CDV strains were not closely related to any previously documented strains responsible for outbreaks in different animals in other parts of the world.

Don't want grumpy spiders? Keep it cool

![Graphic][1] Life is always transitioning from one state to another. Some state transitions can be physical, such as the small Arctic fox changing its fur from brown to white when a snowy winter approaches, but they can also be behavioural, such as when my fellow humans grumble and complain

Echinococcus in wild canids in Québec (Canada) and Maine (USA).

Zoonotic Echinococcus spp. cestodes (E. canadensis and E. multilocularis) infect domestic animals, wildlife, and people in regions of Canada and the USA. We recovered and quantified Echinococcus spp. cestodes from 22 of 307 intestinal tracts of wild canids (23 wolves, 100 coyotes, 184 red and arctic foxes) in the state of Maine and the province of Québec. We identified the species and genotypes of three Echinococcus spp. cestodes per infected animal by sequencing mitochondrial DNA at two loci. We further confirmed the absence of E. multilocularis by extracting DNA from pools of all cestodes from each animal and running a duplex PCR capable of distinguishing the two species. We detected E. canadensis (G8 and G10), but not E. multilocularis, which is emerging as an important human and animal health concern in adjacent regions. Prevalence and median intensity of E. canadensis was higher in wolves (35%, 460) than coyotes (14%, 358). This parasite has historically been absent in Atlantic regions of North America, where suitable intermediate hosts, but not wolves, are present. Our study suggests that coyotes are serving as sylvatic definitive hosts for E. canadensis in Atlantic regions, and this may facilitate eastward range expansion of E. canadensis in the USA and Canada. As well, compared to wolves, coyotes are more likely to contaminate urban green spaces and peri-urban environments with zoonotic parasites.

L’exploitation de la faune par les groupes humains du Pléniglaciaire supérieur à Eliseevichi 1 (Russie)

The archaeological site of Eliseevichi 1, located in the Dnieper River Basin, was discovered in 1930 by K.M. Polikarpovich. It is contemporary of Epigravettian occupations of the end of the second half of the upper Pleniglacial (20,000–14,000 years BP). As for the sites of the culture of Mezine (Mezine, Mezhirich, Gontsy and Dobranitchevka), it was interpreted as a specialized camp of hunters, mainly for slaughtering woolly mammoths and fur exploitation. Moreover, mammoth bones have been used to build larger structures than in mezinian sites associated with storage pits, as in Timonovka I, Yudinovo, Yourevitchi, Suponevo and Chulatovo. However, Eliseevichi 1 differs from all other sites by the presence of ivory engraved pieces with zigzag patterns and multiple linear features and the presence of platelets with decorations in the form of fish scales (“churingas”) and the high number of chisels. These features make it a unique case in the Desna Valley. To better understand the activities that have been implemented within the site by human groups, particularly the role of different species, we processed to the zooarchaeological study of the faunal remains from the 1935–1936 excavations. The faunal spectrum is restricted, typical of a cold and dry environment, with Mammuthus primigenius, Rangifer tarandus, Canis lupus, Alopex lagopus rossicus and Ursus arctos. Two skulls were previously identified as being those of dogs. According to the taphonomical study we highlighted a quick and deep burying of bones, which were affected by freeze-thaw alternating, without being highly altered and moved by phenomena of cryoturbation. The woolly mammoth was used for its meat and for its ivory. The many remains of canids are characterized by skinning marks and long bones were sawed. The presence of ocher, ashy areas, crude lithic fragments, could be linked to the treatment of skins. The site of Eliseevichi 1 was probably occupied during winter and summer seasons, several times during a long period. It could have two main functions, not as a habitat but as a specialized site of furskin and bone production.

SELECTION AND GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FOXES AT CAGE BREEDING

SELECTION AND GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FOXES AT CAGE BREEDING

Mandibular shape in farmed Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) exposed to persistent organic pollutants

We investigated if dietary exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) affect mandibular asymmetry and periodontal disease in paired male-siblings of Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus). During ontogeny, one group of siblings was exposed to the complexed POP mixture in naturally contaminated minke whale (Balaenoptere acutorostarta) blubber (n = 10), while another group was given wet feed based on pig (Sus scrofa) fat as a control (n = 11). The ∑POP concentrations were 802 ng/g ww in the whale-based feed compared to 24 ng/g ww in the control diet. We conducted a two-dimensional geometric morphometric (GM) analysis of mandibular shape and asymmetry in the foxes and compared the two groups. The analyses showed that directional asymmetry was higher than fluctuating asymmetry in both groups and that mandibular shape differed significantly between the exposed and control group based on discriminant function analysis (T2 = 58.52, p = 0.04, 1000 permutations). We also found a non-significantly higher incidence of periodontal disease (two-way ANOVA: p = 0.43) and greater severity of sub-canine alveolar bone deterioration similar to periodontitis (two-way ANOVA: p = 0.3) in the POP-exposed group. Based on these results, it is possible that dietary exposure to a complexed POP mixture lead to changes in jaw morphology in Arctic foxes. This study suggests that extrinsic factors, such as dietary exposure to POPs, may affect mandibular shape and health in a way that could be harmful to wild Arctic populations. Therefore, further studies using GM analysis as an alternative to traditional morphometric methods should be conducted for wild Arctic fox populations exposed to environmental contaminants.