Fecal progesterone and estradiol changes during the breeding season in captive female wolf

Understanding basic reproductive physiology is crucial for the management of both captive and free-ranging wolf. In the present study, we determined hormonal changes during pregnancy and the estrous cycle in captive female wolf by measuring fecal steroids collected during the breeding season with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. These biochemical analyses were validated using chemical devivatization and mass spectrometry, and interpreted along with the behavioral data. All four females undergoing estrus cycles were copulated with their partners and delivered pups successfully. We found that estradiol concen-trations were significantly higher during the estrus cycle than other stages （p0.01） and progesterone was also significantly increased throughout the pregnancy （p0.01）. These hormonal fluctuations demonstrated pregnancy-specific changes in the fecal progesterone and estradiol con-centrations. Patterns of fecal estradiol and progesterone concentrations during estrous cycles were similar to those reported for other canids.

Loss of anti-predator behaviors in cattle and the increased predation losses by wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains

Managing livestock near Yellowstone National Park has become an increasing challenge since conservation of wolves restricts ranchers from interfering. Even though wolves are beneficial for the ecosystem, rising predation incidences on livestock (depredations) create animosity in local farmers. Temperament selection of cattle, measured by the facial hair whorl pattern (HW)1, occurred during the last 15 years and the industry prefers calmer temperament animals. Six HWs occur in cattle (high, middle, low, abnormal, multiple and none), which are mutually exclusive and can be identified by using the eye-line as a reference point. We analyzed depredation of calves near Council, ID in 2011. A herd of 588 Black Angus × Charolais crossbreds (age range: 5 - 17 years) was observed. By analyzing the HW and age of cows in relation to depredations, we could identify a connection between these three factors

Wild dogma： An examination of recent ＂evidence＂ for dingo regulation of invasive mesopredator release in Australia

There is growing interest in the role that apex predators play in shaping terrestrial ecosystems and maintaining tro- phic cascades. In line with the mesopredator release hypothesis, Australian dingoes （Canis lupus dingo and hybrids） are assumed by many to regulate the abundance of invasive mesopredators, such as red foxes Vulpes vulpes and feral cats Fells catus, thereby providing indirect benefits to various threatened vertebrates. Several recent papers have claimed to provide evidence for the bio- diversity benefits of dingoes in this way. Nevertheless, in this paper we highlight several critical weaknesses in the methodologi- cal approaches used in many of these reports, including lack of consideration for seasonal and habitat differences in activity, the complication of simple track-based indices by incorporating difficult-to-meet assumptions, and a reduction in sensitivity for as-sessing populations by using binary measures rather than potentially continuous measures. Of the 20 studies reviewed, 15 of them （75%） contained serious methodological flaws, which may partly explain the inconclusive nature of the literature investigating interactions between invasive Australian predators. We therefore assert that most of the ＂growing body of evidence＂ for meso- predator release is merely an inconclusive growing body of literature only. We encourage those interested in studying the eco- logical roles of dingoes relative to invasive mesopredators and native prey species to account for the factors we identify, and cau- tion the value of studies that have not done so [Current Zoology 57 （5）： 568-583, 2011].

Howl variation across Himalayan, North African, Indian, and Holarctic wolf clades： tracing divergence in the world＇s oldest wolf lineages using acoustics

Vocal divergence within species often corresponds to morphological, environmental, and genetic differences between populations. Wolf howls are long-range signals that encode individual, group, and subspecies differences, yet the factors that may drive this variation are poorly understood. Furthermore, the taxonomic division within the Canis genus remains contended and additional data are required to clarify the position of the Himalayan, North African, and Indian wolves within Canis lupus. We recorded 451 howls from the 3 most basal wolf lineages-Himalayan C. lupus chanco-Himalayan haplotype, North African C. lupus lupaster, and Indian C. lupus pallipes wolves-and present a howl acoustic description within each clade. With an additional 619 howls from 7 Holarctic subspecies, we used a random forest classifier and principal component analysis on 9 acoustic parameters to assess whether Himalayan, North African, and Indian wolf howls ex- hibit acoustic differences compared to each other and Holarctic wolf howls. Generally, both the North African and Indian wolf howls exhibited high mean fundamental frequency （F0） and short duration compared to the Holarctic clade. In contrast, the Himalayan wolf howls typically had lower mean F0, unmodulated frequencies, and short howls compared to Holarctic wolf howls. The Himalayan and North African wolves had the most acoustically distinct howls and differed significantly from each other and to the Holarctic wolves. Along with the influence of body size and environmental differences, these results suggest that genetic divergence and/or geographic distance may play an important role in understanding howl variation across subspecies.

Wolf predation on wild ungulates:how slope and habitat cover influence the localization of kill sites

Based on data collected along the Ligurian Apennines and Alps(N-W Italy),we analysed the main environmental and human-related factors influencing the distribution of kill sites of the wolf Canis lupus.We mapped and digitized 62 kill sites collected during 2007-2016.Around each kill site,we defined a buffer corresponding to the potential hunting area of wolves.We compared kill site plots and an equal number of random plots.We formulated a model of kill site distribution following an approach presence versus availability by binary logistic regression analysis;we tested the hypothesis that wolf choice of kill sites is influenced by the physiography and the land use of the area.Among the preyed wild ungulates,we identified 23 roe deer Capreolus capreolus,18 fallow deer Dama dama,16 wild boars Sus scrofa,and 5 chamois Rupicapra rupicapra.Binary logistic regression analysis showed a negative effect of the road density,the urban areas,the mixed forests,and a positive effect of steep slopes and open habitats.Prey are more vulnerable to predators under certain conditions and predators are capable of selecting for these conditions.Wolves achieved this by selecting particular habitats in which to kill their prey:they preferred steep,open habitats far from human presence,where wild ungulates are more easily detectable and chasable.

Don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time! Czechoslovakian wolfdogs renovate the motivation to play with a bow

Dogs engage in play behavior at every age and the play bow is their most iconic playful posture.However,the function of this posture is still under debate.Here,we selected the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog(CWD)as a model breed to clarify the function of the play bow.We analyzed frame-by-frame 118 sessions of 24 subjects and recorded 76 play bow events.We found that all the play bows were performed in the visual field of the playmate suggesting that the sender takes into account the attentional state of the receiver when releasing the signal.By drawing survival curves and using log-rank test we found that play bow was mainly performed during a short pause in an ongoing session and that its performance triggered the playmate’s reaction again.These findings show that play bow functions in restoring the partner motivation to play.Finally,by using a sequential analysis and a generalized mixed model,we found no evidence supporting the metacommunicative function of the play bow.The signal did not necessarily precede a contact offensive behavior(e.g.,play biting and play pushing)and it was not affected by the level of asymmetry of the play session.In conclusion,in CWDs play bow can be considered a visual signal useful to maintain the motivation to play in the receiver.Therefore,we suggest that the mismatched number of play bows emitted by the 2 players in a given session can be predictive of their different motivations to play.

Wild dogma II： The role and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia

The studies of Allen （2011） and Allen et al. （2011） recently examined the methodology underpinning claims that dingoes provide net benefits to biodiversity by suppressing foxes and cats. They found most studies to have design flaws and/or observational methods that preclude valid interpretations from the data, describing most of the current literature as ＇wild dogma＇. In this short supplement, we briefly highlight the roles and implications of wild dogma for wild dog management in Australia. We discuss nomenclature, and the influence that unreliable science can have on policy and practice changes related to apex predator management

Effect of different starch sources in a raw meat-based diet on fecal microbiome in dogs housed in a shelter

A dietary intervention study was assessed to determine if different sources of starch in homemade diets could significantly modify fecal microbiome of dogs.Twenty-seven adult dogs were enrolled and fed a diet based on a mixture of rice and pasta with fresh raw meat(CD).After 90 d,8 dogs continued to receive CD diet,10 dogs received a diet made of a raw meat and a complementary food with rice as the main source of starch(B1),and 9 dogs were fed a diet with the same raw meat and a complementary food with potato as the main source of starch(B2).Samples of feces were collected from each dog in the mornings at the beginning of the study and after 15 d and analyzed for pH,ammonia N(N-NH3)and total N,short chain fatty acids(SCFA)and lactic acid.Relative abundance of fecal microbiota was assessed by sequencing and annotating the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA.Total starch intake was similar between diets but differed in the in vitro rate digestion and in the resistant starch,which was higher in B2 than in B1 and CD diets.Dogs fed B2 diet showed lower(P<0.05)N-NH3 and pH but higher(P<0.05)molar proportion of lactic acid.Linear discriminant analysis of the genera relative abundances indicated a significant(P<0.01)increase of SMB53 genus at the end of the study in B1 diet and of Megamonas genus in B1 and B2 diets in comparison to CD diet.These results suggest that changes of starch source in a raw meat-based diet have limited effects on fecal microbiome in healthy dogs,but underline a high variability of microbiota among dogs.