Parasites of Swift Foxes (Vulpes Velox) in the Oklahoma Panhandle (Notes) (Report‪)‬

Parasites serve as indicators of ecological health if enough is known about the parasite, the host, and their relationship (Marcogliese, 2005). For example, ecological stress can cause under-representation or over-virulence in species of hosts. Parasites can influence success of exotic introductions or the failure of native species of hosts. Invading (or colonizing) species can thrive when their native parasite communities are absent (Prenter et al., 2004) or when parasites they carry are more pathogenic to endemic competitors (Thomas et al., 2000). Life-history strategies of parasites of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) can illuminate ecology of these foxes (Pybus and Williams, 2003). Parasites represent another level within the natural system that can elucidate interactions between swift foxes, the environment, and their prey. Although extensive biological and ecological knowledge recently has been compiled on the swift fox due to its previous status as a candidate species for the Endangered Species List (Federal Register, 1995, 2001) and reintroduction on the Canadian prairie (Smeeton and Weagle, 2001) knowledge of the parasite communities within the species is limited.