Serum chemistry values were obtained from 64 adult San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) in western Kern County, California (USA). The goal of the study was to establish normal chemistry values for this endangered species. No significant differences were found for mean values of alanine aminotransferase (217.1 IU/l), alkaline phosphatase (44.2 IU/l), cholesterol (145.6 mg/dl), total protein (5.8 g/dl), creatinine (0.63 mg/dl), calcium (8.2 mg/dl), albumin (3.0 g/dl), glucose (129.2 mg/dl), amylase (196.8 IU/l), sodium (153.7 mEq/l) and phosphorus (5.42 mg/dl) between sexes or seasons. Significant differences were noted for aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen and potassium between seasons. Possible disturbances in normal hepatic and renal functions were noted.

Relationships among nominal taxa of North American arid-land foxes were assessed by morphometric and protein-electrophoretic methods. Morphometric data distinguished between the kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) of the Southwest and the swift fox (V. velox) of the Great Plains but not among nominal subspecies of the two foxes. It was uncertain from the morphometric data whether the two foxes should be regarded as species or subspecies. Genic divergence was negligible, with two subspecies of the kit fox more similar genetically to the swift fox than to two other subspecies of the kit fox. We conclude, based on the genic data, that all arid-land foxes in North America pertain to one species, Vulpes velox. Based on the morphometric data, we conclude that two subspecies, V. v. velox and V. v. macrotis, should be recognized.

We have conducted experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of removing contaminated soils from the Nevada Test Site with a large truck-mounted vacuum cleaner. Our results show that this method is effective, relatively easy, and safe for equipment operators. With four passes of the truck-mounted vacuum, 92% of the 241Am (and the accompanying 239 + 240Pu) was removed and resuspension rates were reduced by more than 99%. The ecological impact was, however, serious in terms of soil erosion and destruction of small animal habitats. Compared to standard earth-moving techniques, vacuuming permits a significant reduction in the volume of soil collected to achieve the desired level of decontamination, and the volume reduction could result in cost savings for packaging, shipment, and burial. This cost savings would only be realized for projects involving decontamination of the top 5 cm of soil.

Levels of 137Cs and 134Cs resulting from the Chernobyl nuclear accident were studied in 195 birds that winter in two regions of Spain. Only five of the 12 species examined were contaminated. The average values for 137Cs vary between 1.6 and 41 Bq kg-1 fresh. In particular, the contamination for song-thrushes (Turdus philomelos) are compared between the regions of Extremadura and Valencia, 350 km east of Extremadura at the same latitude. The results show that the contamination of birds wintering in Spain decreases from east to west. The whole-body dose commitment for humans consuming these contaminated birds was calculated. The values are well below the established ICRP guideline.

Serum from endangered San Joaquin kit foxes, Vulpes macrotis mutica, and sympatric wildlife inhabiting the Elk Hills Petroleum Reserve, Kern County, and Elkhorn Plain, San Luis Obispo County, California, was collected in 1981 to 1982 and 1984, and tested for antibodies against 10 infectious disease pathogens. Proportions of kit fox sera containing antibodies against diseases were: canine parvovirus, 100% in 1981 to 1982 and 67% in 1984; infectious canine hepatitis, 6% in 1981 to 1982 and 21% in 1984; canine distemper, 0 in 1981 to 1982 and 14% in 1984; tularemia, 8% in 1981 to 1982 and 31% in 1984; Brucella abortus, 8% in 1981 to 1982 and 3% in 1984; Brucella canis, 14% in 1981 to 1982 and 0 in 1984; toxoplasmosis, 6% in 1981 to 1982; coccidioidomycosis, 3% in 1981 to 1982; and plague and leptospirosis, 0 in 1981 to 1982. High population density, overlapping home ranges, ability to disperse great distances, and infestation by ectoparasites were cited as possible factors in the transmission and maintenance of these diseases in kit fox populations.