Physical Characteristics, Hematology, and Serum Chemistry of Freeranging Gray Wolves, &lt;em&gt;Canis lupus&lt;/em&gt;, in Southcentral Alaska

Butler, Matthew J.; Ballard, Warren B.; Whitlaw, Heather A.

doi:10.22621/cfn.v120i2.289

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…For comparison, 10 western female coyotes 1-7-years old from our colony weighed 10.1–16.2 kg about the same time (mean = 12.4±0.56 kg SE), and 20 males 2–7-years old weighed 10.1–17.1 kg (mean = 14.4±0.41 kg SE). Thus the hybrid 6-7-month old males weighed significantly more than the adult male coyotes (P>0.0001) and overlapped in weight with the range of weights of male wolf pups from south-central Alaska (mean = 26.2±2.3 kg SE) [29]. Because we only had two female hybrids we did not test the significance of the weight difference with coyotes, but the same trend is apparent.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Production of Hybrids between Western Gray Wolves and Western Coyotes

et al. 2014

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Using artificial insemination we attempted to produce hybrids between captive, male, western, gray wolves (Canis lupus) and female, western coyotes (Canis latrans) to determine whether their gametes would be compatible and the coyotes could produce and nurture offspring. The results contribute new information to an ongoing controversy over whether the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon) is a valid unique species that could be subject to the U. S. Endangered Species Act. Attempts with transcervically deposited wolf semen into nine coyotes over two breeding seasons yielded three coyote pregnancies. One coyote ate her pups, another produced a resorbed fetus and a dead fetus by C-section, and the third produced seven hybrids, six of which survived. These results show that, although it might be unlikely for male western wolves to successfully produce offspring with female western coyotes under natural conditions, western-gray-wolf sperm are compatible with western-coyote ova and that at least one coyote could produce and nurture hybrid offspring. This finding in turn demonstrates that gamete incompatibility would not have prevented western, gray wolves from inseminating western coyotes and thus producing hybrids with coyote mtDNA, a claim that counters the view that the eastern wolf is a separate species. However, some of the difficulties experienced by the other inseminated coyotes tend to temper that finding and suggest that more experimentation is needed, including determining the behavioral and physical compatibility of western gray wolves copulating with western coyotes. Thus although our study adds new information to the controversy, it does not settle it. Further study is needed to determine whether the putative Canis lycaon is indeed a unique species.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Production of Hybrids between Western Gray Wolves and Western Coyotes

et al. 2014

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“…Most of the published reports comparing serum chemistry of wild carnivores did not find differences between sexes (Mainka 1988;McCue & O'Farrell 1992;Dunbar et al 1997;Crooks et al 2000;Butler et al 2006). However, May-J unior et al (2009) reported some variations depending on sex, including lower potassium levels in females than in males.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Serum chemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta): variations associated withLeishmania infantuminfection

Millán

Chirife²,

Altet³

2014

Veterinary Quarterly

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Background: The role of wildlife in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis in under debate, and determining whether infection with Leishmania infantum causes illness in wild carnivores is important to determine its potential role as a reservoir. Objectives: To provide for the first time serum biochemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta), and to determine variations associated with L. infantum infection. Methods: Twenty-five serum biochemistry parameters were determined in 22 wild-caught genets. Blood samples were analyzed for L. infantum DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Two female genets were positive for L. infantum DNA but did not show any external clinical sign upon physical examination. Among other variations in the biochemistry values of these genets, one presented a higher concentration of gamma-globulins and cholesterol, whereas the other genet presented increased creatinine, bilirubin, and chloride levels when compared to uninfected females. Sex-related differences in some parameters were also reported. Conclusion: Infection with L. infantum may sometimes be accompanied by abnormal serum biochemistry in wild carnivores. Clinical importance: Clinical disease may occur in L. infantum-infected wild carnivores. This has implications in the epidemiology of leishmaniosis. In addition, the data provided here would also be useful as reference values for researchers or rehabilitators working with the common genet.

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“…We predicted that packs with more adult males would be more likely to win because males are often more aggressive than females (Lazaro-Perea 2001; Wilson et al 2001;MacCormick et al 2012;Wilson et al 2012;Yellowstone Wolf Project, unpublished data). Wolves are also sexually dimorphic with males that are larger and weighing more than females (Butler et al 2006;Mech 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Group composition effects on aggressive interpack interactions of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park

Cassidy

MacNulty

Stahler

et al. 2015

BEHECO

140

164

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Knowledge of characteristics that promote group success during intraspecific encounters is key to understanding the adaptive advantages of sociality for many group-living species. In addition, some individuals in a group may be more likely than others to influence intergroup conflicts, a relatively neglected idea in research on social animals. Here we use observations of aggressive interactions between wolf (Canis lupus) packs over an extended period and use pack characteristics to determine which groups had an advantage over their opponents. During 16 years of observation in Yellowstone National Park from 1995 to 2010, we documented 121 interpack aggressive interactions. We recorded pack sizes, compositions, and spatial orientation related to residency to determine their effects on the outcomes of interactions between packs. Relative pack size (RPS) improved the odds of a pack displacing its opponent. However, pack composition moderated the effect of RPS as packs with relatively more old members (>6.0 years old) or adult males had higher odds of winning despite a numerical disadvantage. The location of the interaction with respect to pack territories had no effect on the outcome of interpack interactions. Although the importance of RPS in successful territorial defense suggests the evolution and maintenance of group living may be at least partly due to larger packs' success during interpack interactions, group composition is also an important factor, highlighting that some individuals are more valuable than others during interpack conflicts.

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Physical Characteristics, Hematology, and Serum Chemistry of Freeranging Gray Wolves, <em>Canis lupus</em>, in Southcentral Alaska

Cited by 14 publications

References 25 publications

Production of Hybrids between Western Gray Wolves and Western Coyotes

Production of Hybrids between Western Gray Wolves and Western Coyotes

Serum chemistry reference values for the common genet (Genetta genetta): variations associated withLeishmania infantuminfection

Group composition effects on aggressive interpack interactions of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park

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