First photographic evidence of an insular dwarf fox (Urocyon sp.) on the island of Cozumel, Mexico
Insular isolation can drive rapid evolutionary divergence, including pronounced dwarfism, in mammals. A dwarfed fox (Urocyon sp.) has inhabited the island of Cozumel, Mexico, for millennia, yet prior evidence of its existence was limited to subfossil remains. Additionally, no comprehensive morphological or genetic studies have been conducted, and sightings of the Cozumel fox are exceptionally rare. Here, we report the first photographic record and the first confirmed sighting in over two decades. On 14 September 2023, an adult male was photographed near kilometer 29 on Cozumel’s coastal highway. This observation confirms the species’ continued presence and highlights its likely critical conservation status. Targeted surveys, population monitoring, and taxonomic assessments are urgently needed, along with habitat protection and measures to minimize human-wildlife conflict, to ensure the survival of this rare and cryptic fox.
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