Cavallini, P. & Volpi, T. 1995: Biases in the analysis of the diet of the red fox Vulpes vulpes. - Wildl. Biol. 1: 243-248.

The diet of red foxes Vulpes vulpes from the province of Pisa, Central Italy, was compared on the basis of analysis of the contents of 320 guts (stomachs and intestines), and of 211 faecal samples. The faeces and guts were collected in the same area during the same period. Mammal remains (in particular of small mammals) were more abundant in faeces than in stomachs and intestines, whereas invertebrates and grass were more abundant in guts. This may be due to different sampling methods which included hunting (guts) which may lead to an overweight of young, inexperienced foxes, eating less preferred food items, being represented in the sample, and collection of faeces which may primarily come from resident, dominant individuals. Bird frequency, but not volume, decreased significantly from stomachs to intestines, and from intestines to faeces. Studies based on stomach contents report a higher percentage of bird remains than studies based on faeces (frequency of occurrence: 19.4 ± 10.3 % vs. 9.1 ± 6.9; P = 0.014). The bias presented may be related to the mechanics of digestion and suggestions to limit such biases are put forward.

Key words: diet analysis, methods, bird consumption, red fox, Vulpes vulpes

Paolo Cavallini*, Dipartimento di Biologia Evolutiva, Università degli Studi di Siena, via Mattioli 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy
Teresa Volpi, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e del Territorio, Università degli Studi di Pisa, via Volta 4, I-56100 Pisa, Italy

*Present address: Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica "Leo Pardi", Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Romana, 17/19, I-50125 Firenze, Italy

Received 4 September 1995, accepted 13 November 1995

Associate Editor: Heikki Henttonen