The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a ubiquitous presence across the UK, adapting seamlessly to rural and urban environments. Yet, despite its prominence and potential as a carrier of zoonotic diseases, little was previously known about its population genetics. A recent study changes that, offering fascinating insights into the genetic diversity, population structure, and historical movement of foxes within Britain.
Genetic Diversity and Limited Population Structure
The study analysed 501 red fox samples from England, southern Scotland, and northern France using 14 microsatellite markers. It revealed high genetic diversity among British fox populations and limited genetic differentiation across the regions sampled. This finding underscores the fox’s adaptability and capacity for long-distance dispersal, which helps maintain genetic diversity even in fragmented habitats.
Interestingly, the study identified four genetic clusters within the sampled populations. One of these clusters connects southern England and northern France, likely reflecting historical translocations of French foxes into England during the 19th century. These translocations, largely for sport hunting, may have left a lasting genetic signature.
Urban vs Rural Foxes
Urban fox populations in Leicester and London showed some degree of genetic differentiation from their rural counterparts, though they did not display signs of reduced genetic diversity or founder effects. This contrasts with urban fox populations in Zurich, where dramatic increases in density following the cessation of culling programmes led to noticeable founder effects.
Aligning with the BCHS Stance
The findings of this study strongly support the stance of the British Canid Historical Society (BCHS), which has long highlighted the role of historical fox translocations in shaping the UK’s modern fox populations. The BCHS has argued that fox populations in Britain are not entirely indigenous but have been influenced by repeated introductions of foxes from Europe and North America throughout history.
The study confirms this view, particularly through evidence of genetic mixing between British foxes and French populations. The clustering of foxes from southern England with those from Calais aligns with reports of large-scale translocations during the 19th century, likely for sport hunting. This supports the BCHS position that imported foxes may have bolstered depleted local populations or been used to increase prey availability for hunting.
Implications for Conservation
The study’s findings have important implications for understanding how foxes move and interact within Britain. The limited population structure and evidence of gene flow between urban and rural foxes suggest there are few barriers to the spread of genetic material—or potentially, diseases. For conservationists and public health officials, this highlights the need to monitor fox populations as both ecological indicators and vectors of zoonotic diseases.
A Glimpse into History
Perhaps most intriguingly, the genetic ties between British and French foxes hint at a legacy of human intervention. The movement of foxes across the Channel, likely linked to hunting practices, underscores how human activities can shape wildlife populations in ways that persist over centuries.
This study marks a significant step in understanding the genetic landscape of Britain’s red foxes. It reveals not just the resilience and adaptability of this iconic species but also the lasting impact of historical events on their genetic makeup.
Sources:
