scholarly journals An Isotopic and Morphometric Examination of Island Dogs (Canis familiaris): Comparing Dietary and Mobility Patterns in the Precolumbian Caribbean

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 632-638
Author(s):  
Gene T. Shev ◽  
Jason E. Laffoon ◽  
Sandrine Grouard ◽  
Corinne L. Hofman
Keyword(s):  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Mobility Patterns ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Statistical Program ◽  
Isotopic Mixing

In precolumbian insular Caribbean archaeological sites, domestic dog (Canis familiaris) remains have been recovered from varied contexts, such as formal burials, in refuse deposits, and as modified artifacts, indicating their complex and multifaceted role within indigenous societies. In this study, isotopic and morphometric analyses provide biochemical and morphological correlations to assess this differential treatment. We examined collagen values (n = 21) of carbon (δ13Cco) and nitrogen (δ15N), and enamel values (n = 81) of carbon (δ13Cen), oxygen (δ18Oen), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) of dog remains from 16 precolumbian sites. Five comparative parameters were used to assess dietary variations between different groups: buried versus nonburied, local versus nonlocal, Greater versus Lesser Antilles, chronology, and modified versus unmodified remains. The only statistically significant difference in diets was between local and nonlocal dogs. Sufficient data were available to conduct isotopic mixing models using the FRUITS statistical program on four individuals for which depositional and morphological data were available. Results of dietary modeling indicate an unexpectedly heavy reliance on plant foods consistent with intentional feeding. This approach highlights the utility of combining isotope analysis, dietary models, morphometrics, and depositional context to provide comprehensive biographic overviews of individual animals.

Associations among behavioral inhibition and owner-rated attention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and personality in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nóra Bunford ◽  
Barbara Csibra ◽  
Csenge Peták ◽  
Bence Ferdinandy ◽  
Ádám Miklósi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Inhibition ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Domestic Dog

Pattern of nipple use by puppies: A comparison of the dingo (Canis dingo) and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Hudson ◽  
Heiko G. Rödel ◽  
Marise Trejo Elizalde ◽  
Lourdes Arteaga ◽  
Gerard A. Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Domestic Dog

Assessing the status of critically endangered Kondana soft-furred rat (Millardia kondana) using integrative taxonomy: combining evidence from morphological, molecular and environmental niche modeling

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-406
Author(s):  
Sameer B. Bajaru ◽  
Aparna Lajmi ◽  
Ranjit Manakadan ◽  
Amol R. Kulavmode ◽  
Uma Ramakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Sister Relationship ◽  
Environmental Niche Modeling ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractKondana soft-furred rat is a critically endangered (CR) species, known from a single locality – Sinhgad in the northern Western Ghats, India. However, the taxonomic status of this species is uncertain due to its close resemblance to the widely distributed soft-furred field rat Millardia meltada, which has serious implications on the conservation status of Millardia kondana. In this study, we assessed the current taxonomic status of M. kondana through an integrative approach combining morphological, molecular and environmental niche modeling analyses. We collected morphological data from the specimens around Sinhgad as well as preserved specimens in the museum. Both morphological and two-dimensional (2D) morphometrical analyses showed a significant difference between M. kondana and M. meltada. Molecular phylogeny based on cytochrome b gene revealed a sister relationship between M. kondana and M. meltada, and both species form distinct well-supported monophyletic clades. Niche modeling also predicted niche segregation between the two species: M. kondana preferred areas with a high elevation and precipitation seasonality while M. meltada favored regions with a low elevation and precipitation. We confirmed that M. kondana is taxonomically distinct from M. meltada, and based on our estimates of its occurrence and occupancy, M. kondana continues to be treated as CR until further detailed investigations.

Isotope recycling in lactating dogs (Canis familiaris)

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (3) ◽  
pp. R669-R676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Scantlebury ◽  
Waring Hynds ◽  
Derek Booles ◽  
John R. Speakman
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Peak Lactation

Isotope-based techniques for the measurement of water turnover, energy expenditure, and milk intake often assume that there is no recycling of isotopes once they have left the labeled animal. In experiments involving lactating females or their suckling offspring, there are several possible routes of isotope recycling. These include the consumption of labeled milk by offspring, the ingestion of labeled excreta, and the rebreathing of exhaled labeled CO2 or water vapor by both mother and offspring. Isotope recycling might be especially important during lactation because the offspring are in close contact with each other and their mother for prolonged periods. We show here in 24- to 30-day-old domestic dog Canis familiarispuppies that there was no detectable transfer of 18O or2H from labeled to unlabeled pups in two litters (16 pups, 8 labeled, 8 unlabeled) that were weaned early and independent of their mother. However, there was a significant transfer of both isotopes from labeled to unlabeled pups and from labeled pups to their mothers in nine equivalent nursing litters of the same age (27 labeled, 26 unlabeled pups). The increases in enrichment of isotopes in unlabeled offspring were greater than the increases in enrichment of the mothers. This indicates that maternal ingestion of offspring excreta and subsequent transfer of isotope in milk is not the sole pathway of recycling. Additional routes must also be important, such as exchange of isotope between pups on saliva-coated nipples and perhaps direct ingestion of excreta by unweaned young. Recycling is unlikely to be an important factor when determining maternal metabolic rate during peak lactation in domestic dogs. However, experiments that are designed to assess the energy demands of pups and isotope-based estimates of water turnover in offspring may need to take into account any effects of isotope recycling. In a theoretical example, removing the effects of recycling increased the measured energy expenditure in pups by up to 7% and increased the calculated elimination rates of both isotopes by up to 11.1% in 18oxygen and 10.9% in2hydrogen.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document