Rosalino, Luís Miguel do Carmo, 1971-Cunha, Mónica VieiraSousa, Maria Morgado de2025-01-2720252024http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/97775Tese de mestrado, Biologia da Conservação, 2025, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasSarcoptic mange, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, is a widespread and highly contagious parasitic disease that affects a wide range of mammal species, including the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of sarcoptic mange in red fox populations in Central Portugal. Using camera traps, we inspected images of red foxes for probable signs of mange infection and tested five hypotheses related to ecological and environmental drivers of mange occurrence: climate, land use, host community, soil composition, and altitude. Our results showed that 2.89% (N=75) of the red foxes photos had mange-compatible lesions. Climatic variables, particularly precipitation, as well as primary productivity (NDVI), and wild mammal species diversity (i.e. Shannon-Wiener diversity index) were significantly associated with the occurrence of mange. We hypothesise that areas with higher precipitation creates environmental conditions that allow a higher survival of mites outside the hosts, and higher productivity and diversity of mammals promote opportunities for mite infections, thus enhancing the occurrence of mange in foxes. Altitude exhibited a negative correlation with disease occurrence, suggesting that lower-altitude regions provide more suitable conditions for mite survival and transmission. The influence of soil composition was inconclusive. The most central region of Portugal (i.e. Góis and Arrepiado) emerged as a potential hotspot for mange. These findings highlight the complex interactions between environmental variables and disease dynamics and underscore the importance of habitat management and mange monitoring to prevent and control outbreaks in wildlife populations. Ultimately, this study provides insightful new data that can inform conservation strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts and spread of wildlife diseases, thereby enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and promoting biodiversity.engSarna sarcópticaraposafatores ambientaisfoto-armadilhavigilância e gestão de fauna selvagemTeses de mestrado - 2025master thesis