"The red fox is one of the most widespread and adaptable mammals on Earth. In the American West, however, there are populations of native red foxes that occur only in alpine and subalpine habitats, which may be at risk from human-caused and natural pressures. One potential threat is global climate change, which is likely to reduce both the amount and connectivity of suitable habitat for these unique red foxes. Until recently, the evolutionary history of native North American red foxes, which also occur in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, was largely speculative." - Jenny

"Based on fossil, archeological, historical, and ecological evidence, he hypothesized that contrary to prevailing theory, native red foxes arose from two distinct lineages that had been isolated from each other during the last glaciation. Using modern molecular genetics, a team of researchers led by Aubry has confirmed his hypothesis and revealed important new details about the evolutionary history of North American red foxes. Their analyses provide the foundation for revealing the red fox’s genealogy at finer levels, and aids conservation efforts by making it possible to distinguish native from nonnative populations, and identify those that may be threatened." - Jenny