'''Pseudalopex''' is the
genus name for
South American members of the
Canidae family. It literally means 'false fox', from the Greek ''Pseud-'' and Greek ''alopex''. The common name for the genus is
zorro, from the
Spanish word for fox. The most numerous species of this genus is probably ''Pseudalopex griseus'', the grey zorro with large ears and a highly marketable, russet-fringed
pelt. This genus is more closly related to the dog-like canids than to the true foxes. The Zorros are hunted in Argentina for their durable, soft pelt. They are also hunted in Argentina where they have the name 'lamb-killer'. This is generally not true. Zorros rarely kill lambs, but if hunger strikes they will prey on weaker or sick infants.
Species currently included in this genus include:
:
Culpeo, ''Pseudalopex culpaeus''
:
Darwin's Fox, ''Pseudalopex fulvipes''
:
Grey zorro, ''
Pseudalopex griseus''
:
Pampas Fox, ''Pseudalopex gymnocercus''
:
Sechura Fox, ''Pseudalopex sechurae''
:
Hoary Fox, ''Pseudalopex vetulus''
The genus ''
Lycalopex'' is still occasionally used for the Hoary Fox, but the species is more recently and more often included in ''Pseudalopex''.
See also
★
Crab-eating Fox
★
Short-eared Dog
References
★
''Pseudalopex'' at Animal Diversity
★ Nowak, Ronald M. (2005). ''Walker's Carnivores of the World''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press. ISBN 0-8018-8032-7