Page "Darwin's fox" Paragraph 3

Darwin's fox does not interbreed with the other Lycalopex species, only lives in forests, and is smaller and darker-colored than the other species.

In 1990 a small population of Darwin's fox was found on the mainland in the forested Nahuelbuta National Park, indicating that the fox was not endemic to the island.

According to Yahnke et al., in their 1996 article published in the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, analysis of mitochondrial DNA of Darwin's fox and the gray fox showed two patterns, indicating Darwin's fox was a new species, closely related to the Sechuran fox.

Also according to Yahnke ( 1995 ; et al. 1996 ) the present restricted range is a relict of a much wider former range.

Zoologists noted the distinctiveness in the ecological niche, appearance, and behavior of this species.

Darwin's fox is differentiated from the gray fox in being darker ; having shorter legs ; a broader, shorter skull ; smaller auditory bullae ; a more robust dentition ; and a different jaw shape and style of premolar occlusion.