A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity
Abstract Extensive introgression of genes from domesticated taxa may be a serious threat for the genomic integrity and adaptability of wild populations. Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are especially vulnerable to this phenomenon, but there are no studies yet assessing the potential behavioural effects of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Animal Cognition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-024-01849-7 |
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| author | Federica Amici Simone Meacci Emmeline Caray Linda Oña Katja Liebal Paolo Ciucci |
| author_facet | Federica Amici Simone Meacci Emmeline Caray Linda Oña Katja Liebal Paolo Ciucci |
| author_sort | Federica Amici |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Extensive introgression of genes from domesticated taxa may be a serious threat for the genomic integrity and adaptability of wild populations. Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are especially vulnerable to this phenomenon, but there are no studies yet assessing the potential behavioural effects of dog-introgression in wolves. In this study, we conducted a first systematic comparison of admixed (N = 11) and non-admixed (N = 14) wolves in captivity, focusing on their reaction to unfamiliar humans and novel objects, and the cohesiveness of their social groups. When exposed to unfamiliar humans in the experimental task, wolves were more vigilant, fearful and aggressive than admixed wolves, and less likely to approach humans, but also more likely to spend time in human proximity. When exposed to novel objects, wolves were more aggressive than admixed wolves, less likely to spend time in object proximity, and more likely to interact with objects, but also less vigilant and as fearful as admixed wolves. Finally, social networks were more cohesive in wolves than in admixed wolves. Although caution is needed when comparing groups of captive individuals with different life experiences, our study suggests that dog admixture may lead to important behavioural changes in wolves, with possible implications for conservation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-56a8466620d04545badfa14e15e7f291 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1435-9456 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal Cognition |
| spelling | doaj-art-56a8466620d04545badfa14e15e7f2912025-01-26T12:44:03ZengSpringerAnimal Cognition1435-94562024-03-0127111510.1007/s10071-024-01849-7A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivityFederica Amici0Simone Meacci1Emmeline Caray2Linda Oña3Katja Liebal4Paolo Ciucci5Life Sciences, Institute for Biology, Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Leipzig UniversityDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of RomeDepartment of Life Sciences, University of StrasbourgLife Sciences, Institute for Biology, Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Leipzig UniversityLife Sciences, Institute for Biology, Human Biology and Primate Cognition, Leipzig UniversityDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of RomeAbstract Extensive introgression of genes from domesticated taxa may be a serious threat for the genomic integrity and adaptability of wild populations. Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are especially vulnerable to this phenomenon, but there are no studies yet assessing the potential behavioural effects of dog-introgression in wolves. In this study, we conducted a first systematic comparison of admixed (N = 11) and non-admixed (N = 14) wolves in captivity, focusing on their reaction to unfamiliar humans and novel objects, and the cohesiveness of their social groups. When exposed to unfamiliar humans in the experimental task, wolves were more vigilant, fearful and aggressive than admixed wolves, and less likely to approach humans, but also more likely to spend time in human proximity. When exposed to novel objects, wolves were more aggressive than admixed wolves, less likely to spend time in object proximity, and more likely to interact with objects, but also less vigilant and as fearful as admixed wolves. Finally, social networks were more cohesive in wolves than in admixed wolves. Although caution is needed when comparing groups of captive individuals with different life experiences, our study suggests that dog admixture may lead to important behavioural changes in wolves, with possible implications for conservation strategies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-024-01849-7HybridizationIntrogressionNeophobiaReaction to humansSocial networks |
| spellingShingle | Federica Amici Simone Meacci Emmeline Caray Linda Oña Katja Liebal Paolo Ciucci A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity Animal Cognition Hybridization Introgression Neophobia Reaction to humans Social networks |
| title | A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity |
| title_full | A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity |
| title_fullStr | A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity |
| title_full_unstemmed | A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity |
| title_short | A first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf-dog hybrids in captivity |
| title_sort | first exploratory comparison of the behaviour of wolves canis lupus and wolf dog hybrids in captivity |
| topic | Hybridization Introgression Neophobia Reaction to humans Social networks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-024-01849-7 |
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