scholarly journals Urine-marking and Ground-scratching by Free-ranging Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos, in Summer

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 466 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. David Mech
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Ellesmere Island ◽  
Urine Marking ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Free Ranging

Urine-marking and ground-scratching were observed in an Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus) pack on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, during 16 summers between 1986 and 2005. All previously known urination postures and ground-scratching by breeding males and females were seen, and incidence of marking and scratching was greatest when non-pack wolves were present. Observations of urine-marking of food remains supported the conclusion from a captive Wolf study that such marking signals lack of edible food.

scholarly journals Double Marking in Arctic Wolves, Canis lupus arctos: Influence of Order on Posture

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred H. Harrington
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Ellesmere Island ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Urine Marking ◽  
Males And Females

Double marking by Arctic Wolves (Canis lupus arctos) was recorded by Mech (2006) from a pack on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, during 16 summers between 1986 and 2005. Using his data on the frequency of occurrence for each of the four postures used by Wolves for urine marking (males – raised leg and stand urinations; females – flexed leg and squat urinations), the probabilities of occurrence for each of eight possible double mark sequences were determined and compared with observed frequencies. Females were somewhat but not significantly more likely to initiate double mark sequences. There was no evidence for any bias in the posture used to initiate a double mark sequence, but assertive postures by both males and females nearly always completed the sequence, occurring much more often than expected by chance.

scholarly journals Extinguishing a Learned Response in a Free-ranging Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. David Mech
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Ellesmere Island ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Learning Behaviour ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Experimental Feeding ◽  
Dry Soil ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Insight Into

A free-ranging Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), habituated to human presence (the author) on Ellesmere Island, Canada, learned to anticipate experimental feeding by a human, became impatient, persistent, and bold and exhibited stalking behaviour toward the food source. Only after the author offered the wolf about 90 clumps of dry soil over a period of 45 minutes in three bouts, did the wolf give up this behaviour. To my knowledge, this is the first example of extinguishing a learned response in a free-ranging wolf and provides new insight into the learning behaviour of such animals.

Body composition of free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.V. Hilderbrand ◽  
H.N. Golden
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Body Fat Content ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Water Dilution

We used deuterium water dilution to estimate body composition of free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus L., 1758) in the Nelchina Basin, Alaska. Body mass differed between sexes throughout the year but did not vary within sex. Mean fat mass and mean energy content were highest in both sexes in the spring. Mean lean mass was lowest in both sexes in the spring. Body mass and lean body mass were positively related to animal age in both males and females up to age 6–8 years. There was no relationship between body fat content and animal age in either sex except in older animals. Thus, growth beyond age 2 consists primarily of lean mass. Body mass of reproductively active females was greater than nonreproductively active females in the spring but not in summer or fall. Deuterium should be allowed to circulate in the wolf for at least 120 min to ensure complete equilibration regardless of season, sex, age, or reproductive status.

scholarly journals DISEASES AND MORTALITY IN FREE-RANGING BROWN BEAR (URSUS ARCTOS), GRAY WOLF (CANIS LUPUS), AND WOLVERINE (GULO GULO) IN SWEDEN

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Mörner ◽  
Hanna Eriksson ◽  
Caroline Bröjer ◽  
Kristina Nilsson ◽  
Henrik Uhlhorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Brown Bear ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Gulo Gulo ◽  
Free Ranging

scholarly journals Treatment of a forelimb fracture and rehabilitation of a free-ranging Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe C. Silva ◽  
Roberto F. Sargo ◽  
Luís C. Sousa ◽  
Helena Rio-Maior ◽  
Ricardo Brandão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Wound Management ◽  
Long Bone ◽  
Operative Care ◽  
Wildlife Tracking ◽  
Osteosynthesis Plate ◽  
The Right ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Canis Lupus Signatus ◽  
Iberian Wolf

Abstract: The surgical treatment of an exposed compounded comminuted fracture of the right radius and ulna in a free-ranging adult female Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) with an osteosynthesis plate and screws and subsequent post-operative care are described. The evolution of the fracture healing was very similar to those expected in a dog of the same size. The prompt surgical intervention and a proper housing, feeding and wound management adapted to a free-ranging wolf, in view to reduce manipulation and post-operative complications, allowed the subsequent rehabilitation and release of the animal. After 10th post-operative weeks the wolf was fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) for wildlife tracking collar and released in the same area where it has been caught. GPS telemetry data showed that the animal covered increasingly large distances confirming a complete functionality of the right thoracic limb and its successfully return to the wild. This report could constitute the first detailed report of a long bone fracture treatment in a free-ranging wolf and its successfully rehabilitation, release and adaptation to the wild.

The Wayward Dog: Is the Australian native dog or Dingo a distinct species?

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4317 (2) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHEN M. JACKSON ◽  
COLIN P. GROVES ◽  
PETER J.S. FLEMING ◽  
KEN P. APLIN ◽  
MARK D.B. ELDRIDGE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Canis Familiaris ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Zoological Nomenclature ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Recent Proposal ◽  
Initial Description ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Scientific Name

The taxonomic identity and status of the Australian Dingo has been unsettled and controversial since its initial description in 1792. Since that time it has been referred to by various names including Canis dingo, Canis lupus dingo, Canis familiaris and Canis familiaris dingo. Of these names C. l. dingo and C. f. dingo have been most often used, but it has recently been proposed that the Australian Dingo should be once again recognized as a full species—Canis dingo. There is an urgent need to address the instability of the names referring to the Dingo because of the consequences for management and policy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the morphological, genetic, ecological and biological data to determine the taxonomic relationships of the Dingo with the aim of confirming the correct scientific name. The recent proposal for Canis dingo as the most appropriate name is not sustainable under zoological nomenclature protocols nor based on the genetic and morphological evidence. Instead we proffer the name C. familiaris for all free-ranging dogs, regardless of breed and location throughout the world, including the Australian Dingo. The suggested nomenclature also provides a framework for managing free-ranging dogs including Dingoes, under Australian legislation and policy. The broad principles of nomenclature we discuss here apply to all free-roaming dogs that coexist with their hybrids, including the New Guinea Singing Dog. 

scholarly journals Conservation implications for the Himalayan wolf Canis (lupus) himalayensis based on observations of packs and home sites in Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 663-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Werhahn ◽  
Naresh Kusi ◽  
Claudio Sillero-Zubiri ◽  
David W. Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Alpine Grasslands ◽  
Average Composition ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Temporal Overlap

AbstractWe provide insights into pack composition and den site parameters of the Himalayan wolf Canis (lupus) himalayensis based on observations of free-ranging wolves in three study areas in Nepal. We combine this with a social survey of the local Buddhist communities regarding human–carnivore conflict, to draw inferences for conservation practice in the Nepalese Himalayas. We recorded eight wolf packs (with an average composition of two adults and three pups), and found five home sites in high-altitude shrubland patches within alpine grasslands at 4,270–4,940 m altitude. There was a spatial–temporal overlap of wolf home sites and livestock herding during spring and summer, which facilitated human–wolf conflict. The litters of three out of five wolf packs found in Dolpa during 2016 were killed by local people in the same year. In Nepal compensation is offered for depredation by snow leopards Panthera uncia, with associated lowering of negative attitudes, but not for depredation by wolves. We recommend the implementation of financial and educational conservation schemes for all conflict-causing carnivores across the Himalayan regions of Nepal.

Habitat selection by the Puerto Rican yellow-chinned anole, Anolis gundlachi

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (7) ◽  
pp. 983-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier A Rodríguez-Robles ◽  
Manuel Leal ◽  
Jonathan B Losos
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Woody Substrates ◽  
Selection Of

Habitat selection can directly affect the fitness of an individual and the evolutionary dynamics of the population to which that organism belongs. We studied habitat use of the Puerto Rican yellow-chinned anole (Anolis gundlachi Peters, 1876) to examine whether this arboreal lizard uses its environment in a nonrandom manner. Males and females preferred woody vegetation substrates over nonwoody plants and sierra palms (Prestoea acuminata var. montana (Graham) A. Henderson and G. Galeano) as perching sites, and they also selected wider vegetation than what was randomly available. Selection for minimizing conspicuousness to potential predators and for increased locomotion capacity may help explain the preference for woody substrates and broader surfaces, respectively. Anolis gundlachi relies almost exclusively on visual cues for foraging and social interactions, and using wider perches also increases an individual's ability to scan a larger proportion of its territory. Our findings thus indicate that the nonrandom habitat use of free-ranging A. gundlachi leads to the selection of perching substrates that may increase performance of ecologically relevant capabilities.

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