PROXIMATE EXPLANATIONS FOR FAILED PACK FORMATION IN LYCAON PICTUS

AbstractAmong the most social of all canids, the endangered African wild dog lives in packs in which the alpha pair typically monopolizes breeding while nonreproductive members help care for the offspring. Consequently, the size of the breeding population is directly related to the number of packs in the population. Although the formation of new packs affects both individual fitness and population dynamics, little is known about the process of pack formation and the proximate factors that influence the outcome. In this paper, seven cases of attempted pack formation are documented, of which four failed. Three possible explanations for pack annulment are considered: group size, mate competition, and mate choice (i.e. group compatibility). Our observations suggest that group compatibility can influence whether stable reproductive units form. The influence of individual behavior, via the process of pack formation, on population dynamics is discussed. The potential conservation application of the theoretical study of wild dog pack formation is highlighted.

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Reproductive sharing and proximate factors mediating cooperative breeding in the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology ◽

10.1007/s00265-009-0875-6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 64 (4) ◽

pp. 583-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Penny A. Spiering ◽

Michael J. Somers ◽

Jesús E. Maldonado ◽

David E. Wildt ◽

Micaela Szykman Gunther

Keyword(s):

Cooperative Breeding ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

Proximate Factors ◽

Wild Dog

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Fencing affects African wild dog movement patterns and population dynamics

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605320000320 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Helen M. K. O'Neill ◽

Sarah M. Durant ◽

Stefanie Strebel ◽

Rosie Woodroffe

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Large Scale ◽

Animal Movement ◽

Landscape Connectivity ◽

Ecological Impact ◽

Movement Patterns ◽

Wrong Side ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs

Abstract Wildlife fences are often considered an important tool in conservation. Fences are used in attempts to prevent human–wildlife conflict and reduce poaching, despite known negative impacts on landscape connectivity and animal movement patterns. Such impacts are likely to be particularly important for wide-ranging species, such as the African wild dog Lycaon pictus, which requires large areas of continuous habitat to fulfil its resource requirements. Laikipia County in northern Kenya is an important area for wild dogs but new wildlife fences are increasingly being built in this ecosystem. Using a long-term dataset from the area's free-ranging wild dog population, we evaluated the effect of wildlife fence structure on the ability of wild dogs to cross them. The extent to which fences impeded wild dog movement differed between fence designs, although individuals crossed fences of all types. Purpose-built fence gaps increased passage through relatively impermeable fences. Nevertheless, low fence permeability can lead to packs, or parts of packs, becoming trapped on the wrong side of a fence, with consequences for population dynamics. Careful evaluation should be given to the necessity of erecting fences; ecological impact assessments should incorporate evaluation of impacts on animal movement patterns and should be undertaken for all large-scale fencing interventions. Where fencing is unavoidable, projects should use the most permeable fencing structures possible, both in the design of the fence and including as many purpose-built gaps as possible, to minimize impacts on wide-ranging wildlife.

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The predicament of the African wild dog,Lycaon pictus, is less precarious than claimed

African Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1111/aje.12142 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 466-470 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tjeerd B. Jongeling ◽

Teun Koetsier

Keyword(s):

Lycaon Pictus ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dog

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After encountering a possibly novel odour, this African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus) sniffed and rolled in it, getting the scent on its body, especially around the face and the neck. The tail up indicates arousal or excitement as a result of rolling in the sc

Ethology ◽

10.1111/eth.12556 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 123 (10) ◽

pp. i-i

Keyword(s):

Lycaon Pictus ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

The Face ◽

Wild Dog

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Landscape correlates of space use in the critically endangered African wild dog Lycaon pictus

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0212621 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. e0212621

Author(s):

Mariëtte E. Pretorius ◽

Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai ◽

Neville Pillay

Keyword(s):

Space Use ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dog

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Updated ranges of the Vulnerable cheetah and Endangered African wild dog in Angola

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319000966 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 851-853

Author(s):

Pedro Monterroso ◽

Filipe Rocha ◽

Stefan van Wyk ◽

Telmo António ◽

Milcíades Chicomo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Species Status ◽

Acinonyx Jubatus ◽

Civil Unrest ◽

Distribution Ranges ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

The Status ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs

AbstractThe civil unrest that ravaged Angola for nearly 30 years took a heavy toll on the country's wildlife, and led to a lengthy absence of reliable information for many threatened species, including the cheetah Acinonyx jubatus and African wild dog Lycaon pictus. Using camera trapping we assessed the status of these two species in two areas of southern Angola, and complemented our findings by reviewing recent survey reports and observations to provide an update on the species' status. We found unequivocal evidence that African wild dogs are resident and reproducing in Bicuar National Park, where cheetahs appear to be absent. Conversely, cheetahs may be resident in western Cuando Cubango province, where African wild dogs may only be transient. Based on these and other recent records in Angola, we recommend a revision of these species' distribution ranges and note the need for monitoring of these remnant populations and for appropriate attention to any threats.

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Anti-predator behaviour of kudu and impala in response to mimicked African wild dog presence: do age and sex matter?

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/1568539x-00003275 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 152 (9) ◽

pp. 1209-1228 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Esther van der Meer ◽

Hervé Fritz ◽

Olivier Pays

Keyword(s):

Predation Risk ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

High Quality ◽

Vigilance Behaviour ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

African Wild Dogs ◽

Tragelaphus Strepsiceros ◽

Wild Dog ◽

Wild Dogs ◽

Aepyceros Melampus

Predators not only prey upon certain prey species, but also on certain age–sex classes within species. Predation risk and an individual’s response to this risk might therefore vary with an individual’s characteristics. We examined the proportion of time different age–sex classes of kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) spent high quality vigilant (costly vigilance that detracts from all other activities) in response to mimicked predation risk by African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). For both species predation risk was the main factor determining the investment in high quality vigilance behaviour. Age–sex class-specific responses were not related to age–sex class specific lethality risk presented by African wild dogs. For impala, regardless of predation risk, age seemed to have some effect on the investment in high quality vigilance with sub-adult impala spending more time high quality vigilant than adult impala, which is possibly why African wild dogs predominantly preyed upon adult impala.

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The wild dog—Africa's vanishing carnivore

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605300034165 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 137-146 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

John H. Fanshawe ◽

Lory H. Frame ◽

Joshua R. Ginsberg

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Current Status ◽

Lycaon Pictus ◽

Term Survival ◽

African Wild Dog ◽

The Status ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Wild Dog

This paper presents a synopsis of the current status and distribution of the African wild dog Lycaon pictus, outlines reasons for its decline and discusses recommendations to halt or reverse this decline. A recent review of the status of the species provides evidence that it has disappeared or is in decline throughout its range (sub-Saharan Africa). Relict populations with little or no chance of long-term survival are found in several countries including Algeria and Senegal. Countries believed to contain potentially viable populations are, from north to south, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa (only the Kruger National Park).

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