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Cited by 0Comparative Animal Anatomy StudiesWildlife Ecology and ConservationEvolution and Paleontology Studies

The Andean fox Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782) in southwestern Colombia: diet and anatomical description

Open access
Rosero-Taramuel, Janeira L., Arboleda-Osorio, Juan J., Guerrero-Diaz, Alison F., Jimenez Anacona, Faber D., Matabanchoy-C, Karen, Pisso-Florez, Gustavo Adolfo, Ramírez-Chaves, Héctor E.·2026·Notas sobre Mamíferos Sudamericanos
DOI 10.31687/saremnms26.1305
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Abstract

The Andean fox, Lycalopex culpaeus, is a generalist canid widely distributed along the Andes, though morphology and ecological information from its northern range remains limited. We report new data on the anatomy and diet of a specimen from southwestern Colombia of which we examined the stomach and intestines. The stomach is simple, rounded and expanded at the cardia and fundus region. Stomach contents consisted mainly of remains of small rodents, similar to prey items observed in other regions. This study provides the first detailed description of gastrointestinal anatomy in the Andean fox in the northern Andes.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper reports gastrointestinal anatomy and stomach/intestinal contents of a single Andean fox specimen from southwestern Colombia, providing the first detailed gastrointestinal description for the species in the northern Andes. The diet consisted mainly of small sigmodontine rodents, with Coleoptera and plant fragments also present.

Key findings

  • The stomach was simple, rounded, and expanded at the cardia/fundus, measuring 185 mm long with an external breadth of 157 mm; greater curvature was 167.33 mm and lesser curvature 77.36 mm.
  • The intestinal tract measured 2,280 mm from duodenum to rectum, equivalent to 2.13 times the specimen’s total length (1,070 mm); the small intestine was 1,885 mm (82.68%) and the large intestine 395 mm (17.32%), making the small intestine 4.77 times longer than the large intestine.
  • Stomach contents included seven partially digested rodents from three sigmodontine genera: *Neomicroxus* cf. *latebricola* (one individual), *Oligoryzomys* (three individuals), and *Microryzomys* (three individuals); intestinal contents yielded two additional *Oligoryzomys* molars and one *Microryzomys* molar.
  • Also found were three unidentified rodent fetuses, multiple Coleoptera exoskeleton fragments, and leaf/small-branch remnants considered accidentally consumed; no birds, reptiles, or fruits were detected.

Methods

  • The study dissected one adult female Andean fox found dead in Valle de las Papas, Valencia district, Municipality of San Sebastián, Colombian Massif, Cauca, at 2,884 m a.s.l.; the specimen is deposited as MHN-UCa-M 5075.
  • For anatomy, viscera were extracted from the ethanol-preserved carcass, the stomach was isolated, extended with 10% aqueous formaldehyde for seven days, rehydrated, preserved in 70% ethanol, photographed, and dissected along the midsagittal plane; stomach and intestinal measurements followed McGrosky et al. (2016) and Lima et al. (2018).
  • For diet, stomach and intestinal contents were removed separately, preserved in 70% ethanol, examined under a stereoscope, and identified by comparison with MHN-UCa vertebrate specimens and literature.

Limitations

  • The paper states that prey diversity was lower than in Ecuadorian studies and may be attributed to the small sample size analyzed or geographic variation in prey availability.
  • The paper states that accurate taxonomic identification of *Neomicroxus* cf. *latebricola* was not possible due to the individual’s advanced digestive state and worn dentition, and that further field sampling in southern Colombia is needed to verify its presence.
  • The paper states that increasing sampling during dry and rainy seasons is essential to understand seasonal fruit consumption; evident from the text is that the anatomical and dietary conclusions rest on a single specimen, and the text describes it as an adult female while the Figure 1 caption says “adult male.”

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.31687/saremnms26.1305

Cites

51 of 51 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

34 of 93 cited sources checked · 12 supported · 1 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    The Andean fox adjusts its diet to local resource availability.

    “adjusting its diet to local resource availability (Novaro et al. 2000;Novaro et al. 2004;Silva et al. 2005;Palacios et al. 2012)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Novaro et al. 2000 source
    • cites Novaro et al. 2004 source
    • cites Silva et al. 2005 source
  • Premisecitation

    The Andean fox also consumes invertebrates.

    “invertebrates (Yáñez & Rau 1980;Walker et al. 2007;Carevic et al. 2019)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Yáñez & Rau 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Walker et al. 2007 source
    • cites Carevic et al. 2019 source
  • Premisecitation

    The Andean fox Lycalopex culpaeus is a generalist and opportunistic canid.

    “The Andean fox Lycalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782), is a generalist and opportunistic canid (Zapata et al. 2005;Walker et al. 2007;Carevic et al. 2019)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Zapata et al. 2005 source

      The abstract (pp. 97–103; no page label in our copy) reports that culpeos consumed rodents and European hares, consistent with a varied diet in southeastern Argentine Patagonia. It does not describe the species as opportunistic or establish that characterization across its range. (LLM, conf=0.75)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Walker et al. 2007 source

      The Abstract and Discussion identify the culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) as a dietary generalist. The Discussion suggests that differences in its diet among sites may reflect prey availability, but does not establish the broader, unqualified description of the species as opportunistic. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Carevic et al. 2019 source
  • Premisecitation

    In heavily disturbed areas, the Andean fox adapts by increasing the consumption of livestock, carrion, or introduced species such as domestic rabbits and hares.

    “In heavily disturbed areas, the Andean fox adapts by increasing the consumption of livestock, carrion, or introduced species such as domestic rabbits and hares (Novaro et al. 2000;Zapata et al. 2005;Palacios et al. 2012;Pia 2013;Rubio et al. 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Novaro et al. 2000 source
    • cites Zapata et al. 2005 source

      The abstract in our copy reports that culpeo foxes consumed the introduced European hare in a protected area of southeastern Argentine Patagonia. It does not establish that consumption increased in heavily disturbed areas, or report consumption of livestock, carrion, or domestic rabbits. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Palacios et al. 2012 source
  • Interpretationcitation

    The stomach of L. culpaeus resembles that of the tayra, Eira barbara, with a saccular format and large and small curvatures.

    “The stomach of L. culpaeus resembles that of the tayra, Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758), with a saccular format and large and small curvatures (Lima et al. 2018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lima et al. 2018 source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 15
  • May combine two claims. 37
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Females of the arctic fox, Vulpes lagopus, present a large intestine which can reach a length of 3020 mm ± 239 mm when the total length of the individual is only 640 mm, which equals 4.7 times the body length.

    “Similarly, females of the arctic fox, Vulpes lagopus (Linnaeus, 1758) also presents a large intestine which can reach a length of 3020 mm ± 239 mm when the total length of the individual is only 640 mm, which equals 4.7 times of the body length (Brudnicki et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brudnicki et al. 2011 source

      The Results report 3.02 m as the average length of the *entire intestine* in females, not the large intestine. The Discussion gives the approximately 4.7-to-1 ratio for total intestine length relative to body length. Thus the source contradicts the claim’s central identification of the 3020 mm measurement as large-intestine length. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The intestinal tract of L. culpaeus presents similarities with C. brachyurus, such as a short caecum (length of 81 mm) with a long intestinal tract (length of 3995 mm), whereas the caecum and long intestinal of L. culpaeus are considerably smaller and shorter (47.93 mm and 2280 mm).

    “The intestinal tract of the Andean fox also presents similarities with C. brachyurus, such as a short caecum (length of 81 mm) with a long intestinal tract (length of 3995 mm) (Silva et al. 2025), whereas the caecum and long intestinal of L. culpaeus are considerably smaller and shorter as it presents lengths of 47.93 mm and 2280 mm, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Silva et al. 2025 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The stomach of the tayra is larger than that of L. culpaeus, averaging a greater curvature of 277 mm and a lesser curvature of 85 mm (vs. 167.33 mm and 77.36 mm in L. culpaeus).

    “However, this organ is larger in the tayra, averaging a greater curvature of 277 mm and a lesser curvature of 85 mm (vs.167.33 mm and 77.36 mm in L. culpaeus)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lima et al. 2018 source

      Table 1 (Discussion; page not provided) gives tayra male averages of 27.7 cm and 8.5 cm, equivalent to 277 mm and 85 mm. Its overall averages are instead 21.9 cm and 7.6 cm. The paper does not provide the quoted measurements for L. culpaeus or make that species comparison. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Andean fox also feeds on larger mammals, including artiodactyls, large rodents, and other carnivores such as grisons and hog-nosed skunks.

    “This canid also feeds on larger mammals, including artiodactyls (Yáñez & Rau 1980;Johnson & Franklin 1994;Guntiñas et al. 2017), large rodents (Correa & Roa 2005;Guntiñas et al. 2017;Cadena-Ortíz et al. 2020), and other carnivores such as grisons, Galictis (Bell, 1826) and hog-nosed skunks, Conepatus (Gray, 1837) (Johnson & Franklin 1994;Novaro et al. 2004;Zapata et al. 2005;Palacios et al. 2012;G”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Yáñez & Rau 1980

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Johnson & Franklin 1994 source
    • cites Guntiñas et al. 2017 source

      The Results report deer, large rodents, and a striped hog-nosed skunk in the Andean fox’s diet. They do not report grisons as prey; the only Galictis mention found is in a reference title. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The stomach of L. culpaeus is similar in form to the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, but the maned wolf presents a larger stomach curvature averaging 511 mm (vs. 167.33 mm in L. culpaeus).

    “The stomach is similar in form to the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), but this species presents a larger stomach curvature averaging 511 mm (vs.167.33 mm in L. culpaeus) (Silva et al. 2025; see Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Silva et al. 2025 source

      The Results describe the maned wolf’s stomach as C-shaped and generally similar to those of other canids, but do not compare it specifically with L. culpaeus. Results Table 2 gives a greater curvature of 51.1 cm (511 mm) for adult females only; the average for all ten adults is 47.0 cm (470 mm). The paper does not provide the 167.33 mm L. culpaeus measurement. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The greater curvature is 3.2 times larger than the smaller curvature in male tayra, vs. 2.16 times larger in L. culpaeus.

    “where the greater curvature is 3.2 times larger than the smaller curvature in males (vs.2.16 times larger in L. culpaeus) (Lima et al. 2018).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lima et al. 2018 source

      The Results report a greater-to-smaller curvature ratio of approximately 3.2 in male tayras. The cited paper does not report the comparison value of 2.16 for L. culpaeus; a search for that species and value found no supporting passage. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In Podocarpus National Park, Ecuador, deer consumption is more common, and in parts of the Atacama Desert, invertebrates' consumption is more frequent.

    “For example, in Podocarpus National Park, Ecuador, deer consumption is more common (Guntiñas et al. 2017), and in parts of the Atacama Desert, invertebrates' consumption is more frequent (Carevic et al. 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Guntiñas et al. 2017 source
    • cites Carevic et al. 2019 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Knowledge of the Andean fox in Colombia is limited to distribution analyses and anecdotal observation on sheep predation.

    “however, knowledge is limited to distribution analyses (Ramirez-Chaves et al. 2013;Noguera-Urbano et al. 2016), and anecdotal observation on sheep predation (Hershkovitz 1957).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Ramirez-Chaves et al. 2013 source
    • cites Noguera-Urbano et al. 2016 source
    • cites Hershkovitz 1957

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Both N. procyonoides and V. lagopus present a much larger caecum with lengths averaging 804 mm and 460 mm, respectively, compared with the short caecum of L. culpaeus (47.93 mm).

    “Both species present a much larger caecum with lengths averaging 804 mm for N. procyonoides and 460 mm for V. lagopus, compared with the short caecum of L. culpaeus (47.93 mm).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Kulawik et al. 2009

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Brudnicki et al. 2011 source

      The Results report total intestinal length for arctic foxes, but the passages in our copy do not give a 460 mm caecum length. The Methods list the intestinal lengths measured without listing caecum length, and the copy provides neither the claimed 804 mm measurement for N. procyonoides nor the 47.93 mm measurement for L. culpaeus (searched: caecum length, 460 mm, 804 mm). (LLM, conf=0.76)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The gastrointestinal tract of L. culpaeus is very similar in form and shape to the golden jackal, Canis aureus, suggesting that canids lack pronounced mucosal folds typical in other species such as E. barbara and N. felipei.

    “However, the gastrointestinal tract reported herein is very similar in form and shape to the golden jackal, Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758, suggesting that the canids lack pronounced mucosal folds typical in other species as the E. barbara and N. felipei (Stan 2016;Lima et al. 2018;Ramírez-Chaves et al. 2024).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Stan 2016 source

      The anatomical description and Conclusion (page not supplied) document the golden jackal’s digestive tract and say its overall morphology resembles that of the domestic dog. They do not compare it with L. culpaeus or discuss mucosal folds in canids, E. barbara, or N. felipei; the reported absence of colonic muscular bands or haustra does not establish an absence of mucosal folds. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Lima et al. 2018 source

      The Discussion reports more strongly pronounced mucosal folds in the body and fundus of the Eira barbara stomach, supporting the part of the sentence for which Lima et al. is cited. It does not establish that canids lack such folds or compare E. barbara with the golden jackal or L. culpaeus. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Ramírez-Chaves et al. 2024 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The stomach of C. aureus presents a deeper angular notch compared to the cardiac notch, while L. culpaeus has a similar depth in both, which can allow L. culpaeus to store more food than the golden jackal.

    “The stomach of C. aureus presents a deeper angular notch compared to the cardiac notch (Stan 2016), while L. culpaeus has a similar depth in both, which can allow L. culpaeus to storage more food than the golden jackal.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stan 2016 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In Chile and Argentina, introduced rabbits and hares dominate the diet of L. culpaeus.

    “Similarly, in Chile and Argentina, introduced rabbits and hares dominate the diet (Novaro et al. 2000;Zapata et al. 2005;Rubio et al. 2013;Reina-Moreno 2019).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Novaro et al. 2000 source
    • cites Zapata et al. 2005 source

      The abstract text in our copy reports that introduced European hares occurred in 32.8% of culpeo fox feces in one southeastern Argentine Patagonia study. It does not establish that rabbits and hares dominate the diet across Chile and Argentina; rodents occurred in 37% of culpeo feces in the same study. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Rubio et al. 2013 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In Ecuador the Andean fox has been documented preying on medium and large mammals, typically hunted by pumas.

    “In Ecuador the Andean fox has been documented preying on medium and large mammals (Trujillo-Garófolo & Trujillo-Garófolo 2007;Beltrán-Ortiz et al. 2017;Guntiñas et al. 2017;Reina-Moreno 2019;Cadena-Ortiz et al. 2020), typically hunted by pumas.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Trujillo-Garófolo & Trujillo-Garófolo 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Beltrán-Ortiz et al. 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Guntiñas et al. 2017 source

      The Results report deer and other medium-sized mammals in Andean fox scats from southern Ecuador. The Discussion says park rangers observed foxes hunting deer, but it also allows that some deer meat was scavenged from carcasses left by pumas. It does not establish that the fox preyed on large mammals in Ecuador or that these mammals are typically hunted by pumas. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Lozano et al. (2024) suggested that bird consumption decreases with increasing altitude.

    “Lozano et al. (2024) suggested that bird consumption decreases with increasing altitude, which may explain their absence in our results.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lozano et al. 2024 source

      The Discussion identifies which prey groups are consumed more at high and low altitudes, but does not identify birds among them. In the Results, Tables 1–2 link birds to factor 3, whose correlation with altitude is not marked significant; the paper does not suggest that bird consumption decreases as altitude increases. Searched for a direct bird–altitude finding. (LLM, conf=0.74)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The angular and cardiac notch of the stomach are similarly shallow and not very deep.

    “The angular and cardiac notch are similarly shallow and not very deep into the stomach.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The stomach of MHN-UCa-M 5075 measures 185 mm long and has an external breadth of 157 mm.

    “measuring 185 mm long, with an external breadth of 157 mm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The total length of the intestinal tract from duodenum to rectum is 2280 mm, equivalent to 2.13 times the specimen's total length (TL = 1070 mm).

    “It presents a total length of 2280 mm from duodenum to the rectum, equivalent to 2.13 times the specimen's total length (TL = 1070 mm).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The stomach has a globular cardiac zone and a narrow cardia (external width 22.26 mm), connecting to the esophagus (external width 23.64 mm).

    “It has two orifices: a globular cardiac zone and a narrow cardia (external width of 22.26 mm), connecting to the esophagus (external width of 23.64 mm)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The large intestine measures 395 mm (17.32%) and has a breadth of 31.69 mm.

    “The large intestine measures 395 mm (17.32%) and presents a breadth of 31.69 mm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The stomach of MHN-UCa-M 5075 is large, unilocular (single-chambered), and forms the letter 'C' when stuffed.

    “MHN-UCa-M 5075 presents a large unilocular (single-chambered) stomach which forms the letter “C” when stuffed (Fig. 1B-C)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The gastrointestinal tract of L. culpaeus is simple and uniform.

    “and then to the simple and uniform gastrointestinal tract of L. culpaeus (fig.1A-D).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    The stomach of L. culpaeus specimen MHN-UCa-M 5075 is simple, rounded, and expanded at the cardia and fundus region.

    “The stomach is simple, rounded and expanded at the cardia and fundus region.”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “L. culpaeus presents a simple, rounded stomach with an enormous expansion at the cardia and fundus region, common in canines (Boyd 2022).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    The small intestine is 4.77 times longer than the large intestine.

    “This proportion makes the small intestine 4.77 times longer than the large intestine.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Stomach contents included seven partially digested rodents, including molars from three genera of the subfamily Sigmodontinae: Neomicroxus cf. latebricola (one individual), Oligoryzomys (three individuals), and Microryzomys (three individuals).

    “In the stomach contents, we identified seven partially digested rodents, including molars from three genera of the subfamily Sigmodontinae (Fig. 2A-C): Neomicroxus cf.latebricola (H.E. Anthony, 1924) (one individual), Oligoryzomys Bangs, 1900 (three individuals) and Microryzomys Thomas, 1917 (three individuals).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The colon is short, passing to the rectum without a sharp boundary or muscular bands, and both present a moderate, homogeneous width.

    “The colon is short, passing to the rectum without a sharp boundary or muscular bands, and both present a moderate, homogeneous width.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The caecum measures 47.93 mm long and 15.67 mm wide.

    “which measures 47.93 mm long, and 15.67 mm wide.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The stomach exhibits a greater curvature length of 167.33 mm and a lesser curvature of 77.36 mm.

    “The stomach exhibits a greater curvature with a length of 167.33 mm and a lesser curvature of 77.36 mm.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Three rodent fetuses were found in the stomach contents that could not be identified.

    “We also found three rodent fetuses that we could not identified.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    No traces of birds, reptiles, or fruits were detected in the stomach contents.

    “We detected no traces of birds, reptiles or fruits.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The small intestine occupies 82.68% of the intestinal tract with a length of 1885 mm and average width of 22 mm.

    “The small intestine occupies 82.68% of the intestinal tract with a length of 1885 mm and average width of 22 mm throughout its length.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The intestinal tract of L. culpaeus resembles the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, having an average length of 2380 mm, small intestine 1940 mm (vs. 1885 mm in L. culpaeus), a short large intestine of 440 mm (vs. 395 mm in L. culpaeus), and a short caecum of 55 mm.

    “In general, the intestinal tract recorded for L. culpaeus resembles the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) having an average length of 2380 mm, small intestine also occupies most of its length with 1940 mm (vs.1885 mm in L. culpaeus), a short large intestine of 440 mm (vs.395 mm in L. culpaeus), and a short caecum of 55 mm (McGrosky et al. 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites McGrosky et al. 2016 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The difference in prey diversity may be attributed to the small sample size analyzed or to geographic variations in diet influenced by prey availability.

    “The difference may be attributed to the small sample size analyzed or to geographic variations in diet influenced by prey availability.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    It was not possible to determine if the intestinal molars corresponded to the previously identified skulls.

    “However, it was not possible to determine if these corresponded to the previously identified skulls.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Compared with the raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides, this species presents a longer intestine which can exceed almost four times their body length, while in L. culpaeus it equals only two times the body length.

    “Compared with other species of small canines such as the raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides (J.E. Gray, 1834), this species presents a longer intestine which can exceed almost four times their body length (Kulawik et al. 2009), while in it equals only two times the body length in L. culpaeus.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kulawik et al. 2009

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Our results include new items on the diet of the Andean fox in Colombia and constitute the eighth dietary analysis within the geographic range of L. c. reisii.

    “Our results include new items on the diet of the Andean fox diet in Colombia and constitutes the eighth dietary analysis within the geographic range of L. c. reisii (Hershkovitz 1957;Trujillo-Garófolo & Trujillo-Garófolo 2007;Beltrán-Ortiz et al. 2017;Guntiñas et al. 2017;Reina-Moreno 2019;Cadena-Ortiz et al. 2020;Jarrín-Porras et al. 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Hershkovitz 1957

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Trujillo-Garófolo & Trujillo-Garófolo 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Beltrán-Ortiz et al. 2017

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The intestinal tract of L. culpaeus is simple and large, typical of canines, and presents a caecum, making possible differentiating small and large intestines.

    “Anatomically, the intestinal tract of L. culpaeus is simple and large, typical of canines, as well as presenting a caecum, making possible differentiating small and large intestines (McGrosky et al. 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites McGrosky et al. 2016 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Morphological studies of the Andean fox have focused mainly on skulls, with little representation of northernmost populations.

    “Morphological studies have focused mainly on skulls, having little representation of northernmost populations (Bubadué et al. 2016)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bubadué et al. 2016

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The corsac wolf, Vulpes corsac, has a shorter intestine of 1290 mm but a larger caecum of 78 mm.

    “In contrast, the corsac wolf, Vulpes corsac (Linnaeus, 1768) has a shorter intestine of 1290 mm but a larger caecum of 78 mm (McGrosky et al. 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites McGrosky et al. 2016 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    The leaves and small branches found in the stomach contents were accidentally consumed during hunting.

    “along with remnants of leaves and small branches, which we considered to have been accidentally consumed during hunting.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In Patagonia and Córdoba, Argentina, both L. culpaeus and P. concolor exhibit significant trophic overlap, with pumas consuming more ungulates and introduced hares.

    “However, in the Patagonia and Córdoba, Argentina, both species exhibit significant trophic overlap, with pumas consuming more ungulates and introduced hares (Palacios et al. 2012, Pía 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Palacios et al. 2012 source
    • cites Pía 2013

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In southwestern Colombia and the Peruvian Andes, L. culpaeus seems to primarily consume small rodents and invertebrates, whereas P. concolor feeds on medium and large animals.

    “In southwestern Colombia and the Peruvian Andes, L. culpaeus seems to primarily consume small rodents and invertebrates, whereas P. concolor feeds on medium and large animals (Romo 1995;Hernández-Guzmán et al. 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Romo 1995 source
    • cites Hernández-Guzmán et al. 2011

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    L. culpaeus is a large canid with a mean total length of 1094 mm.

    “while L. culpaeus is a large canid with a mean total length of 1094 mm (Jiménez & Novaro 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jiménez & Novaro 2004

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The diet analysis is based on a small sample size (one specimen).

    “The difference may be attributed to the small sample size analyzed”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Canines tend to consume large prey items and opportunistic gorge feeding on large food volumes.

    “since canines tend to consume large prey items and opportunistic gorge feeding on large food volumes (Hume 2002;Boyd 2022).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Hume 2002

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Boyd 2022 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Birds and reptiles are frequent prey in the Andean fox's diet.

    “Although birds and reptiles are frequent prey in the Andean fox's diet (Medel & Jaksic 1988;Palacios et al. 2012)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Medel & Jaksic 1988

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Palacios et al. 2012 source

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Neomicroxus latebricola was known to inhabit Andean forests of northern Ecuador, and its potential presence in southern Colombia has been hypothesized.

    “This rodent was known to inhabit Andean forests of northern Ecuador, and its potential presence in southern Colombia has been hypothesized (Alvarado-Serrano & D'Elía 2013;Alvarado Serrano 2019).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Alvarado-Serrano & D'Elía 2013 source
    • cites Alvarado Serrano 2019

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Neogale felipei is a small mustelid with a mean total length of 347 mm.

    “since N. felipei is a small mustelid with a mean total length of 347 mm (Ramírez-Chaves & Patterson 2014)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ramírez-Chaves & Patterson 2014 source
47 of 47

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The stomach and intestinal contents reflect the diet of the individual prior to death.

    “For the diet analysis, we removed the stomach contents through the incision in the final portion of the esophagus, and the intestinal contents though the rectum.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The anatomical measurements from the single specimen MHN-UCa-M 5075 are representative of L. culpaeus for species-level anatomical comparisons.

    “This study provides the first detailed description of gastrointestinal anatomy in the Andean fox in the northern Andes.”
2 of 2

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Specimen described as both female and male

    Minor

    The methods identify MHN-UCa-M 5075 as an adult female, but the Figure 1 caption calls the same specimen an adult male.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Jiménez, J. E., & A. J. Novaro. 2004. Culpeo (Pseudalopex culpaeus). Canids: foxes, wolves, jackals and dogs. Status survey and conservation action plan (C. Sillero-Zubiri, M. Hoffmann, & D. W. Macdonald, eds.). IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group, Gland and Cambridge.
  2. Wozencraft, C. 2005. Order Carnivora, Familia Canidae. Mammal species of the world, a taxonomy and geographic reference (E. Wilson & D. Reeder, eds.), Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Authors
Rosero-Taramuel, J. L., Arboleda-Osorio, J. J., Guerrero-Diaz, A. F., Jimenez Anacona, F. D., Matabanchoy-C, K., Pisso-Florez, G. A., & Ramírez-Chaves, H. E.
Affiliations
  • Universidad de Nariño (CO)
  • Universidad de Caldas (CO)
  • Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
  • Fundación Herencia Natural, Medellín, Colombia
  • University of Caldas
ORCID
Venue
Notas sobre Mamíferos Sudamericanos
Publisher
Sociedad Argentina para el Estudio de los Mamiferos
Published
2026-06-29
Volume
1
Issue
8
ISSN
2618-4788 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.31687/saremnms26.1305
OpenAlex
W7166551725
Semantic Scholar
23b406bfa97e183c69f30b00379faaaad4f30f4c
Cited by
0
References
50
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
Notas sobre Mamíferos Sudamericanos (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
Rufford Foundation (39245-B)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
Keywords
Andean fox, Lycalopex culpaeus, diet, gastrointestinal anatomy, stomach contents, small rodents, northern Andes, southwestern Colombia

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-26.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-26.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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