In the world of unusual foxes and their history, a new development has surfaced that blurs the lines between wild canids and domesticated animals. A recent study has sparked renewed interest in the enigmatic Fuegian dog, a creature believed to have been extinct for centuries. But this isn’t just a tale of a lost species—it connects to the broader discussion of foxes, particularly the Patagonian or Fuegian fox (Lycalopex culpaeus), and its ancient relationship with indigenous peoples and the genetic legacy of the Selk'nam people.
Discovery and Geographic Distribution
The history of the Fuegian fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) is evidenced by historical records and scientific studies that provide insights into its limited distribution across the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago. This fox primarily inhabits the main island, Tierra del Fuego (known locally as "Fuegia"), as well as the smaller Hoste Island. However, sightings on Gable and Navarino islands have declined, with no confirmed records in recent years on Gable and only questionable historic accounts from Navarino. Recently gathered distribution data and photographs provide new evidence of this fox’s presence in the archipelago.
Decline and Conservation Challenges
The Fuegian fox population began to experience significant pressures in the late 19th and 20th centuries, primarily due to human activities. In 1885, sheep farming was introduced to Tierra del Fuego, leading to conflicts as the foxes were seen as potential predators. Farmers retaliated by targeting these foxes, causing a rapid population decline in northern Tierra del Fuego. Later, in 1951, the introduction of the continental Chilla fox (Lycalopex griseus) further threatened the Fuegian fox by introducing both competition for resources and potential disease transmission. Today, the Fuegian fox population is concentrated mainly in the southern half of Tierra del Fuego Island.
Linking Foxes to Indigenous Heritage
This new study aligns with a fascinating cultural and genetic narrative: the Selk'nam people are not completely extinct, as was once thought. Recent research has shown that their genes still persist in modern Chilean populations, a revelation that has sparked renewed discussions on the survival of their cultural and biological legacy.
The Fuegian fox, thought to be related to the ancient Fuegian dog, raises the question of a similar genetic puzzle. Both the Selk'nam and Yahgan peoples interacted with these animals, with legends suggesting that the Selk'nam may have attempted to tame the fox for companionship, as a resource or possibly for use in hunting. This unique relationship highlights the socioecological significance of the fox beyond its natural habitat, providing an example of early human-animal interaction in the region.
Tamed Fox, Hybrid or Early Domestic Dog?
The origins of the Fuegian "dog" has intrigued researchers for years. Some researchers suggest that the Selk'nam may have domesticated the Fuegian fox (Lycalopex culpaeus), resulting in the creation of the Fuegian "dog." However, others propose that the original Fuegian dog may have actually been a form of Canis lupus familiaris, brought to the region by early human migrants following the Bering Land Bridge approximately 9,000 years ago. Over time, this domesticated dog was gradually replaced by more familiar European dog breeds brought to Patagonia by settlers in the 1800s.
Despite these findings, the true identity of the Fuegian "dog" remains unresolved. Some researchers have suggested it may have been Dusicyon avus, an extinct fox species, though this theory has not been definitively proven. Hybridization between domestic dogs and Fuegian foxes is also a possibility. Notably, hybrids between species such as the domestic dog and Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) have been reported, with one hybrid exhibiting melanism—a dark coloration due to increased melanin.
This suggests that hybridization might have produced animals with intermediate features and unique genetic characteristics, further complicating the mystery of the Fuegian "dog" and its origins. Additionally, it could be speculated that Dogxim is a genetic throwback to these extinct domesticated foxes, preserved within the genetic makeup of the local fox population—all of which are capable of hybridization.
"The Patagonian or Fuegian "dog" may not have become fully extinct, but simply regressed from being a tamed Fuegian fox harbored by the Selk'nam people, back into its wild form –which still subsists on Tierra del Fuego Island: the extant Lycalopex culpaeus or the extinct Dusicyon avus. Genetic studies are urgently needed to resolve this important issue."
Dogxim, Foxes and Hybridisation
In our previous blog, we delved into the mystery surrounding Dogxim. As we noted, Dogxim might not just be a modern dog-fox hybrid but could represent this lineage of "lost" domesticated foxes. These early domesticated canids, once closely tied to indigenous communities, may have left traits that persist in today’s foxes.
The latest study on the Fuegian fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) from Tierra del Fuego explores the history of this fox, providing information that appears to support the speculation that the Dogixm could be a variant of the Fuegian dog—possibly a hybrid or melanistic descendant. This theory aligns with the legacy of the Selk'nam people, who interacted closely with the Fuegian fox. Although long considered extinct, like the Fuegian dog, the Selk'nam still live on through the genes of modern-day Chilean and Argentine populations, underscoring a remarkable continuity of both human and animal legacies in Patagonia.
Both Dogxim and the Fuegian fox point toward a hidden narrative: not simply wild or hybrid anomalies, they could potentially represent ancient domesticated lines shaped by human relationships. This idea challenges traditional distinctions between wild and domestic animals, suggesting that these foxes may be living legacies of early human influence, much like the Selk'nam people themselves, who continue to shape the cultural and biological landscape of the region.
The Fuegian Dog's "Resurrection"
The authors of this most recent paper, suggest that the Fuegian dog may not have been as much a domesticated dog as it was a domesticated fox (Lycalopex culpaeus). The theory is that the original "dog" was a type of fox that was domesticated or tamed by the Selk'nam people, a now-extinct indigenous group from the region.
While the Fuegian dog is believed to be extinct, scientists are now considering the idea of retro-selection to bring back this species by breeding animals that carry the same genetic traits as the ancient Fuegian dog.
"And finally, the "resurrection" of the Patagonian or Fuegian "dog" by means of retro-selection of ancestral characteristics seems a worthy enterprise, in line with the very recent official Chilean recognition that the Selk'nam people are not extinct: Their genes are still out there, same as those of the "dog" and its putative ancestor, the Fuegian fox."
Though promising, retro-selection is a relatively new, experimental process that involves selectively breeding modern canids that show similar characteristics to their ancient ancestors.
What’s Next for Foxes and Dogs in Patagonia?
With the resurgence of interest in the Fuegian dog, one of the pressing questions is how this "resurrection" project will unfold. Retro-selection, while promising, is still a new and experimental process, and there are many challenges ahead in terms of breeding and preserving the specific genetic traits of the ancient Fuegian dog.
However, this study highlights the importance of genetic diversity and the potential for species to be "brought back" in some form through careful breeding programmes. Just as the foxes of Patagonia have adapted to their unique environment, so too might the Fuegian dog rise again, reconnecting the past with the present and providing us with a deeper understanding of the wild canids that have roamed the region for millennia.
Summary
This recent study is a reminder of the rich history of foxes and their connection to human culture. From the domestication of the Fuegian dog to the continuing genetic legacy of the Selk'nam people, the ongoing research reminds us of the deep, intertwined histories of humans and animals in the remote landscapes of Patagonia. As we reflect on the unusual foxes of the region and their role in human history, the notion of a "resurrection" project offers an exciting glimpse into the potential future of our understanding of foxes, dogs, and the ancient ties that continue to shape life in Patagonia.
Sources:
The rare Fuegian fox (Lycalopex culpaeus) from the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago: history of discovery, geographic distribution, and socioecological aspects (2024)
Molecular identification of a Fuegian dog belonging to the Fagnano Regional Museum ethnographic collection, Tierra del Fuego (2013)
Tamed 'Foxes' Trending History: A Wild South American Fox Theory
