Ecology

   Chile and the Chiloe Island, the home to The Darwin’s Fox, is generally considered a Temperate forest biome. Within this biome is the select area of their ecosystem, or community of non-living and living organisms (Fowler, 2007, ch20.1). Looking further into detail on how this species interacts in order to survive, or its niche, and keeping the ecosystem balanced and healthy we discover a food web.  The slideshow link shows the bare basic relationships in steps among the organisms as described. The web has many trophic interaction levels and connections that explain energy movements. There are two types of webs that simultaneously interact within a single ecosystem: a grazing food web involving the photosynthetic organisms being consumed by herbivores and finally various carnivores; and a detrital food web has organisms that feed on decaying organic matter (dead organisms). This includes decomposers and detritivores (which consume organic detritus). Which type of food web and type of organism does the “Dog Vomit” species represent within Chile? After understanding the key place of the Darwin’s Fox from the web and following information, how does this aid in completing the cycle and stabilize the local ecosystem? 

   Darwin’s Fox primarily consumes smaller mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, however has been known to be an opportunistic scavenger and even omnivorous by eating producers (Fortner, 2007)(Jaksic, 1990). They will graze on some plant species, fruit, or seeds and aid in the spread of other organisms after defecation according to Jaksic (1990). This further encompasses the life cycle completion and balance of the ecosystem. As noted in their food web they also compete with other carnivores. The competitive exclusion principle comes into effect with Darwin's Fox and other canine species, including the South American gray fox (Lycalopex griseus). Darwin’s foxes are more active during the night, especially for hunting, while other top predators are less active. This allows, and causes, Darwin’s Fox to have a primary prey consisting of the rodent (Notiomys valdivianus), crickets(Gryllidae), and other species (Jaksic, 1990). The small mammal herbivores and insects consume producers on the forest floor. It can be debated that Darwin's Fox is a keystone species in this small area of an ecosystem due to these unique connections and behaviors.