ABUNDANCE AND DENSITY OF SOUTH AMERICAN GRAY (Pseudalopex griseus Gray, 1837) AND CULPEO (Pseudalopex culpaeus Molina, 1782) FOXES IN A XEROPHYTIC FORMATION

Abstract

During July-August, 2014, monitoring of Pseudalopex griseus and P. culpaeus foxes was performed through the registry of feces, to determine their abundance and population density in the Pan de Azúcar National Park, in Chañaral, Atacama, Chile. The frequency of observation (FO), index of relative abundance (IRA), and the differences between sampling sites were determined with Kruskal-Wallis. The distribution of the abundance was adjusted to a binomial model (BM), graphic differences in the abundance of cluster analysis (CA) and relative density with the estimator by the same name (IDR). The results show an average FO for the park of 23.1%, and an average IRA of 0.091 individuals ha^-1; the Kruskal-Wallis analysis (p=0.0321) evidenced significant differences of the abundance between sites, the distribution of abundance was adjusted to a negative BM (p=0.330), the CA showed 13 Clusters with e=3.5, the average IDR was 0.43 individuals ha^-1. Performing an adequate management and habitat improvement in the distribution zones is suggested, as well as regulating ecotourism in these zones during reproductive season and preventing feeding of the foxes by visitors.