scholarly journals The African wolf is a missing link in the wolf-like canid phylogeny

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli K. Rueness ◽  
Pål Trosvik ◽  
Anagaw Atickem ◽  
Claudio Sillero-Zubiri ◽  
Emiliano Trucchi
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Restriction Site ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Rad Sequencing ◽  
Grey Wolf ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Alternative Hypotheses ◽  
Dog Domestication ◽  
Distinct Taxon

Here we present the first genomic data for the African wolf (Canis aureus lupaster) and conclusively demonstrate that it is a unique taxon and not a hybrid between other canids. These animals are commonly misclassified as golden jackals (Canis aureus) and have never been included in any large-scale studies of canid diversity and biogeography, or in investigations of the early stages of dog domestication. Applying massive Restriction Site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing, 110481 polymorphic sites across the genome of 7 individuals of African wolf were aligned and compared with other wolf-like canids (golden jackal, Holarctic grey wolf, Ethiopian wolf, side-striped jackal and domestic dog). Analyses of this extensive sequence dataset (ca. 8.5Mb) show conclusively that the African wolves represent a distinct taxon more closely related to the Holarctic grey wolf than to the golden jackal. Our results strongly indicate that the distribution of the golden jackal needs to be re-evaluated and point towards alternative hypotheses for the evolution of the rare and endemic Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis). Furthermore, the extension of the grey wolf phylogeny and distribution opens new possible scenarios for the timing and location of dog domestication.

A large-scale study of the Trichinella genus in the golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) population in Serbia

2015 ◽  
Vol 212 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 253-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duško Ćirović ◽  
Vlado Teodorović ◽  
Dragan Vasilev ◽  
Marija Marković ◽  
Nada Ćosić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Large Scale Study

scholarly journals First evidence of hybridization between golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) and domestic dog ( Canis familiaris ) as revealed by genetic markers

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (12) ◽  
pp. 150450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Galov ◽  
Elena Fabbri ◽  
Romolo Caniglia ◽  
Haidi Arbanasić ◽  
Silvana Lapalombella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Parental Species ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Wild Canids ◽  
Autosomal Microsatellites

Interspecific hybridization is relatively frequent in nature and numerous cases of hybridization between wild canids and domestic dogs have been recorded. However, hybrids between golden jackals ( Canis aureus ) and other canids have not been described before. In this study, we combined the use of biparental (15 autosomal microsatellites and three major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci) and uniparental (mtDNA control region and a Y-linked Zfy intron) genetic markers to assess the admixed origin of three wild-living canids showing anomalous phenotypic traits. Results indicated that these canids were hybrids between golden jackals and domestic dogs. One of them was a backcross to jackal and another one was a backcross to dog, confirming that golden jackal–domestic dog hybrids are fertile. The uniparental markers showed that the direction of hybridization, namely females of the wild species hybridizing with male domestic dogs, was common to most cases of canid hybridization. A melanistic 3bp-deletion at the K locus ( β -defensin CDB103 gene), that was absent in reference golden jackal samples, but was found in a backcross to jackal with anomalous black coat, suggested its introgression from dogs via hybridization. Moreover, we demonstrated that MHC sequences, although rarely used as markers of hybridization, can be also suitable for the identification of hybrids, as long as haplotypes are exclusive for the parental species.

PCR-based Y chromosome marker for discriminating between golden jackal (Canis aureus) and domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) paternal ancestry

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Galov ◽  
Magda Sindičić ◽  
Tomislav Gomerčić ◽  
Haidi Arbanasić ◽  
Matea Baburić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Chromosome Marker

scholarly journals Habitat use of golden jackals (Canis aureus) in riverine areas of northern Bosnia and Herzegovina

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldin Selimovic ◽  
Eva Maria Schöll ◽  
Larissa Bosseler ◽  
Jennifer Hatlauf
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Habitat Analysis ◽  
Group Density

AbstractRecently confirmed expansion of golden jackals (Canis aureus) into countries without any previous records poses questions, one of them focusing on the species potential and possibly varying habitat use. In this study, we investigated the presence and distribution of golden jackals in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, where knowledge about golden jackal distribution and habitat use is still scarce. We used bioacoustic stimulation as a non-invasive tool to gather data on golden jackal presence. Habitat structures potentially selected by the species were assessed at 92 calling stations and used as input for binary logistic regression models. Our study area covered approximately 1150 km2, and bioacoustic stimulation within this area resulted in an estimated minimum relative group density of 3.5 territorial groups per 100 km2. We found territorial groups at distances between 15 and 38 km southwards from the river Sava but always within a maximum range of 3 km to perennial watercourses. Habitat analysis identified shrub vegetation and pastures as structures with a significant effect on the presence of resident golden jackals. Probability that golden jackals answered at calling stations increased with increasing surface area covered with pastures and shrubs. Distances between golden jackal territories and the nearest human settlement were relatively small. Our results indicate that structures like transitional woodland-shrubs and pastures, together with other potential influencing factors like local agricultural practices, low hunting pressure, diverse natural and anthropogenic food sources, could have benefited the settlement of golden jackals in the northern lowlands of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Reliance of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) on Anthropogenic Foods in winter in Central Bulgaria

Mammal Study ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeniy G. Raichev ◽  
Hiroshi Tsunoda ◽  
Chris Newman ◽  
Ryuichi Masuda ◽  
Dian M. Georgiev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Canis Aureus

scholarly journals Morphometric variation in wolves and golden jackal in India (Mammalia, Carnivora)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yellapu Srinivas ◽  
Yadvendradev Jhala
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Guard Hair ◽  
Morphometric Variation ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Wild Canids ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Global Data

Species of Canis (Carnivora, Canidae) have similar morphology and distinguishing sympatric species is challenging. We present data on morphometry of skull, body and hair of three wild Canis species that occur in India, which include two wolves (Indian wolf, Canis lupus pallipes; and Himalayan wolf, Canis himalayensis) and the golden jackal (Canis aureus). A total of 20 cranial and six body measurements and microscopic characteristics of guard hair were analysed, using multivariate ordination to differentiate between species. Cranial measures of the Himalayan wolves were found to be the largest followed by Indian wolves and golden jackals. However, many measures overlapped amongst the three species. Two Principal Components each, for body measures and cranial measures, explained 86 and 91% of the variation in the data, respectively. These Components discriminated the two wolves from golden jackals, but could not distinguish between wolves. Hair medullary patterns were simple and wide type, whereas hair cuticular patterns showed crenate scale margins, near scale distance and irregular wavey scale patterns for all Canis taxa and were not useful to distinguish species. Data reported in this study further contribute to the existing global data on wild canids for a holistic understanding of the variation within the genus and show that distinguishing between all sympatric species from morphology alone may not be possible.

scholarly journals Cranial variability and differentiation among golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe, Asia Minor and Africa

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 917 ◽  
pp. 141-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stoyan Stoyanov
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Asia Minor ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
Canis Aureus ◽  
Morphological Studies

Golden jackal (Canis aureus) expansion in the last decades has triggered research interest in Europe. However, jackal phylogeny and taxonomy are still controversial. Morphometric studies in Europe found differences between Dalmatian and the other European jackals. Recent genetic studies revealed that African and Eurasian golden jackals are distinct species. Moreover, large Canis aureus lupaster may be a cryptic subspecies of the African golden jackal. Although genetic studies suggest changes in Canis aureus taxonomy, morphological and morphometric studies are still needed. The present study proposes the first comprehensive analysis on a wide scale of golden jackal skull morphometry. Extensive morphometric data of jackal skulls from Europe (including a very large Bulgarian sample), Asia Minor, and North Africa were analysed, by applying recently developed statistical tools, to address the following questions: (i) is there geographic variation in skull size and shape among populations from Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus?, (ii) is the jackal population from the Dalmatian coast different?, and (iii) is there a clear distinction between the Eurasian golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the African wolf (Canis lupaster sensu lato), and among populations of African wolves as well? Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied on the standardized and log-transformed ratios of the original measurements to clearly separate specimens by shape and size. The results suggest that jackals from Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus belong to one subspecies: Canis aureus moreotica (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1835), despite the differences in shape of Dalmatian specimens. The present study confirmed morphometrically that all jackals included so far in the taxon Canis aureus sensu lato may represent three taxa and supports the hypothesis that at least two different taxa (species?) of Canis occur in North Africa, indicating the need for further genetic, morphological, behavioural and ecological research to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty. The results are consistent with recent genetic and morphological studies and give further insights on golden jackal taxonomy. Understanding the species phylogeny and taxonomy is crucial for the conservation and management of the expanding golden jackal population in Europe.

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