Cozumel Fox

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Cozumel fox
Conservation status

Critically endangered, possibly extinct
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Urocyon
Binomial name
Urocyon sp.
(undescribed new species)

The Cozumel Fox (Urocyon sp. nov.) is an unnamed species of fox which is apparently close to extinction or even already extinct, is (or was until recently) found on the island of Cozumel, Mexico.[1] The Cozumel Fox, which has not been scientifically described to date, is a dwarf form like the Island Fox but slightly larger, being up to three-quarters the size of the Gray Fox.[2] It had been isolated on the island for at least 5000 - 13000 years, and probably far longer.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Cuarón, Alfredo D.; Martinez-Morales, Miguel Angel; McFadden, Katherine W.; Valenzuela, David; & Gompper, Matthew E. (2004). "The status of dwarf carnivores on Cozumel Island, Mexico". Biodiversity and Conservation 13: 317–331. 
  2. ^ Gompper, M. E.; Petrites, A. E. & Lyman, R. L. (2006). "Cozumel Island fox (Urocyon sp.) dwarfism and possible divergence history based on subfossil bones". J. Zool. 270 (1): 72–77. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00119.x.