Noelle Wallisch, “Comparative Osteology of the Humerus and Femur of Wisconsin Foxes”
Mentor: Jean Hudson, Anthropology, Letters & Science (College of)
Poster #96
Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and Gray Foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are similar in body proportions and general appearance despite being distantly related species. Both V. vulpes and U. cinereoargenteus are native to the state of Wisconsin, thus may both make appearances in local archaeological assemblages. Skeletal elements of foxes can be differentiated from other Wisconsin canids based on osteometrics and general morphology, however, there has been a lack of focus specifically on distinguishing skeletal elements between V. vulpes and U. cinereoargenteus. Often, studies differentiating Wisconsin canids focus on the cranium, neglecting various post cranial elements. U. cinereoargenteus regularly climbs trees and is adapted for climbing, which differs from V. vulpes which is more adapted for leaping (Feeney 1999). Features on the humerus and femur were evaluated for their potential to differentiate between V. vulpes and U. cinereoargenteus as they may relate to differences in adaptations for locomotion.