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novel hepatozoon in vertebrates from the southern united states.abstract novel hepatozoon spp. sequences collected from previously unrecognized vertebrate hosts in north america were compared with documented hepatozoon 18s rrna sequences in an effort to examine phylogenetic relationships between the different hepatozoon organisms found cycling in nature. an approximately 500 base pair fragment of 18s rdna common to hepatozoon spp. and some other apicomplexans was amplified and sequenced from the tissues or blood of 16 vertebrate host species from the souther ...201121506825
narcoleptic episodes in orexin-deficient mice are increased by both attractive and aversive odors.orexin-deficient mice are an established animal model for narcolepsy. in human patients, narcoleptic events are mainly triggered by emotional events. however, the role of emotional stimuli in murine narcolepsy is not well understood. the present study investigated the effects of attractive and aversive odor stimuli, i.e. urine samples of coyote and female mice, on narcoleptic episodes (cataplexy, sleep attacks) in orexin-deficient mice. here, we first demonstrate that exposure to both attractive ...201121510981
brief communication: dna from early holocene american dog.we present the oldest genetically identified dog in the americas, directly dated to 9,260 ± 170 cal. b.p. the dna was extracted from an occipital condyle imbedded in a human paleofecal sample from hinds cave in southwest texas. a 368 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial genome control region was sequenced. these data were analyzed with comparable data, which included other ancient dogs and extant dogs, wolves and coyotes from around the world. compiled with published data, our results charact ...201121541929
a genome-wide perspective on the evolutionary history of enigmatic wolf-like canids.high-throughput genotyping technologies developed for model species can potentially increase the resolution of demographic history and ancestry in wild relatives. we use a snp genotyping microarray developed for the domestic dog to assay variation in over 48k loci in wolf-like species worldwide. despite the high mobility of these large carnivores, we find distinct hierarchical population units within gray wolves and coyotes that correspond with geographic and ecologic differences among populatio ...201121566151
the ontogeny of expression of communicative genes in coyote-beagle hybrids.although there are minimal genetic differences between the coyote (canis latrans), the gray wolf (canis lupus), and the domestic dog (canis familiaris), these three species are extremely different in numerous aspects of their physiology, morphology, and behavior. in particular, the threat display of coyotes differs markedly from dogs and wolves. coyotes display a wide open mouth gape-threat with attendant arched back defensive posture, and hiss vocalization. in our experience, this threat displa ...201121573986
using the dog genome to find single nucleotide polymorphisms in red foxes and other distantly related members of the canidae.single nucleotide polymorphisms (snp) are the ideal marker for characterizing genomic variation but can be difficult to find in nonmodel species. we explored the usefulness of the dog genome for finding snps in distantly related nonmodel canids and evaluated so-ascertained snps. using 40 primer pairs designed from randomly selected bacterial artificial chromosome clones from the dog genome, we successfully sequenced 80-88% of loci in a coyote (canis latrans), grey fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus), ...200821585716
neonatal mortality of elk driven by climate, predator phenology and predator community composition.1. understanding the interaction among predators and between predation and climate is critical to understanding the mechanisms for compensatory mortality. we used data from 1999 radio-marked neonatal elk (cervus elaphus) calves from 12 populations in the north-western united states to test for effects of predation on neonatal survival, and whether predation interacted with climate to render mortality compensatory. 2. weibull survival models with a random effect for each population were fit as a ...201121615401
detection of trichinella murrelli in coyotes (canis latrans) from oklahoma and north texas.we determined the prevalence and mean intensity of trichinella sp. infection in coyotes from six counties in oklahoma and one in northern texas. tongues from 77 coyotes were examined using histology and artificial tissue digestion. histological examination showed a prevalence of 3.9% (3 of 77) whereas the prevalence was 6.5% (5 of 77) based on artificial digestion of 5.0g of muscle from coyote tongues. one sample was positive for trichinella sp. on histology but negative by artificial digestion. ...201121723041
annual seroprevalence of yersinia pestis in coyotes as predictors of interannual variation in reports of human plague cases in arizona, united states.abstract although several health departments collect coyote blood samples for plague surveillance, the association between reported human cases and coyote seroprevalence rates remains anecdotal. using data from an endemic region of the united states, we sought to quantify this association. from 1974 to 1998, about 2,276 coyote blood samples from four arizona counties were tested for serological evidence of exposure to yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. using a titer threshold presum ...201121756031
tracking of food quantity by coyotes (canis latrans).previous studies have demonstrated that weber's law mediates quantitative discrimination abilities across various species. here, we tested coyotes' (canis latrans) ability to discriminate between various quantities of food and investigated whether this ability conforms to predictions of weber's law. we demonstrate herein that coyotes are capable of reliably discriminating large versus small quantities of discrete food items. as predicted by weber's law, coyotes' quantitative discrimination abili ...201121856389
forensic scatology: preliminary experimental study of the preparation and potential for identification of captive carnivore scat.carnivore scats recovered from animal attack and/or scavenging contexts frequently contain forensic evidence such as human bone fragments. forensic cases with carnivore involvement are increasingly prevalent, necessitating a methodology for the recovery and analysis of scat evidence. this study proposes a method for the safe preparation of carnivore scat, recovery of bone inclusions, and quantification and comparison of scat variables. fourteen scats (lion, jaguar, lynx, wolf, and coyote) were p ...201121923796
trypanosoma cruzi and chagas' disease in the united states.chagas' disease is caused by the protozoan parasite trypanosoma cruzi and causes potentially life-threatening disease of the heart and gastrointestinal tract. the southern half of the united states contains enzootic cycles of t. cruzi, involving 11 recognized triatomine vector species. the greatest vector diversity and density occur in the western united states, where woodrats are the most common reservoir; other rodents, raccoons, skunks, and coyotes are also infected with t. cruzi. in the east ...201121976603
hepatozoon spp infections in the united states.two hepatozoon spp are recognized as parasites of domestic dogs in the united states, h. canis and h. americanum. h. canis was first described in india in 1905 and has been documented in many areas of the world, although not definitively identified in north america until recently. h. americanum, causing american canine hepatozoonosis, was first documented in a coyote in 1978 and is now considered an emerging etiologic agent of disease in domestic dogs throughout the united states. the authors re ...201122041213
prdm9, a major determinant of meiotic recombination hotspots, is not functional in dogs and their wild relatives, wolves and coyotes.meiotic recombination is a fundamental process needed for the correct segregation of chromosomes during meiosis in sexually reproducing organisms. in humans, 80% of crossovers are estimated to occur at specific areas of the genome called recombination hotspots. recently, a protein called prdm9 was identified as a major player in determining the location of genome-wide meiotic recombination hotspots in humans and mice. the origin of this protein seems to be ancient in evolutionary time, as reflec ...201122102853
echinococcus multilocularis identified in michigan with additional records from ohio.echinococcus multilocularis was identified in a coyote in indiana in january 1990, prompting an investigation of the distribution and prevalence of the parasite in wild canids in indiana and surrounding states. in 1990-1991, the parasite was found throughout northern and central indiana, in northwestern ohio, and in east-central illinois. in 1993-1994, 162 wild canids (97 red foxes, 54 coyotes, 11 gray foxes) were collected from michigan, and an additional 75 (55 red foxes, 7 coyotes, 13 gray fo ...201222339082
evolution in coyotes (canis latrans) in response to the megafaunal extinctions.living coyotes modify their behavior in the presence of larger carnivores, such as wolves. however, little is known about the effects of competitor presence or absence on morphological change in coyotes or wolves over long periods of time. we examined the evolution of coyotes and wolves through time from the late pleistocene, during which many large carnivorous species coexisted as predators and competitors, to the recent; this allowed us to investigate evolutionary changes in these species in r ...201222371581
intense harvesting of eastern wolves facilitated hybridization with coyotes.despite ethical arguments against lethal control of wildlife populations, culling is routinely used for the management of predators, invasive or pest species, and infectious diseases. here, we demonstrate that culling of wildlife can have unforeseen impacts that can be detrimental to future conservation efforts. specifically, we analyzed genetic data from eastern wolves (canis lycaon) sampled in algonquin provincial park (app), ontario, canada from 1964 to 2007. research culls in 1964 and 1965 k ...201222408723
the origin of the tibetan mastiff and species identification of canis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit i (coi) gene and coi barcoding.dna barcoding is an effective technique to identify species and analyze phylogenesis and evolution. however, research on and application of dna barcoding in canis have not been carried out. in this study, we analyzed two species of canis, canis lupus (n = 115) and canis latrans (n = 4), using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit i (coi) gene (1545 bp) and coi barcoding (648 bp dna sequence of the coi gene). the results showed that the coi gene, as the moderate variant sequence, applied to the analys ...201122440462
complete sequence of the tibetan mastiff mitochondrial genome and its phylogenetic relationship with other canids ( canis, canidae).in this study, the complete sequence of the tibetan mastiff mitochondrial genome (mtdna) was determined, and the phylogenetic relationships between the tibetan mastiff and other species of canidae were analyzed using the coyote (canis latrans) as an outgroup. the complete nucleotide sequence of the tibetan mastiff mtdna was 16 710 bp, and included 22 trna genes, 2s rrna gene, 13 protein-coding genes and one non-coding region (d-loop region), which is similar to other mammalian mitochondrial geno ...201122440697
detection of dirofilaria immitis and ehrlichia species in coyotes (canis latrans), from rural oklahoma and texas.there is a lack of knowledge regarding the prevalence of dirofilaria immitis and ehrlichia spp. in coyotes in oklahoma and texas. documenting the prevalence of these vector-borne disease agents in coyotes from oklahoma and texas underscores the importance of wild canids as reservoir hosts that infect companion animals and humans. to learn more about the sylvatic cycle of d. immitis and ehrlichia spp. in coyotes from oklahoma and texas, we tested for infection with and exposure to, respectively, ...201222448722
impact of quaternary climatic changes and interspecific competition on the demographic history of a highly mobile generalist carnivore, the coyote.recurrent cycles of climatic change during the quaternary period have dramatically affected the population genetic structure of many species. we reconstruct the recent demographic history of the coyote (canis latrans) through the use of bayesian techniques to examine the effects of late quaternary climatic perturbations on the genetic structure of a highly mobile generalist species. our analysis reveals a lack of phylogeographic structure throughout the range but past population size changes cor ...201222491760
evolutionary reconstructions of the transferrin receptor of caniforms supports canine parvovirus being a re-emerged and not a novel pathogen in dogs.parvoviruses exploit transferrin receptor type-1 (tfr) for cellular entry in carnivores, and specific interactions are key to control of host range. we show that several key mutations acquired by tfr during the evolution of caniforms (dogs and related species) modified the interactions with parvovirus capsids by reducing the level of binding. these data, along with signatures of positive selection in the tfrc gene, are consistent with an evolutionary arms race between the tfr of the caniform cla ...201222570610
rise of the coyote: the new top dog. 201222596135
further investigation of exposure to lawsonia intracellularis in wild and feral animals captured on horse properties with equine proliferative enteropathy.this study investigated the exposure to lawsonia intracellularis in wild birds, mice, rabbits, raccoons, coyotes and squirrels, and feral cats and pigs on 10 farms with confirmed equine proliferative enteropathy (epe). serum samples from all resident foals (417 samples) as well as fecal (461) and serum (106) samples from wild and feral animals were collected for serological and molecular detection of l. intracellularis following the diagnosis of epe in index cases. a total of three cats from two ...201222627048
wolves-coyotes-foxes: a cascade among carnivores.due to the widespread eradication of large canids and felids, top predators in many terrestrial ecosystems are now medium-sized carnivores such as coyotes. coyotes have been shown to increase songbird and rodent abundance and diversity by suppressing populations of small carnivores such as domestic cats and foxes. the restoration of gray wolves to many parts of north america, however, could alter this interaction chain. here we use a 30-year time series of wolf, coyote, and fox relative abundanc ...201222690642
deer, predators, and the emergence of lyme disease.lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in north america, and both the annual incidence and geographic range are increasing. the emergence of lyme disease has been attributed to a century-long recovery of deer, an important reproductive host for adult ticks. however, a growing body of evidence suggests that lyme disease risk may now be more dynamically linked to fluctuations in the abundance of small-mammal hosts that are thought to infect the majority of ticks. the continuing an ...201222711825
sensitivity of double centrifugation sugar fecal flotation for detecting intestinal helminths in coyotes (canis latrans).fecal analysis is commonly used to estimate prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminths in wild carnivores, but few studies have assessed the reliability of fecal flotation compared to analysis of intestinal tracts. we investigated sensitivity of the double centrifugation sugar fecal flotation and kappa agreement between fecal flotation and postmortem examination of intestines for helminths of coyotes (canis latrans). we analyzed 57 coyote carcasses that were collected between october 2010 ...201222740537
salt marsh as a coastal filter for the oceans: changes in function with experimental increases in nitrogen loading and sea-level rise.coastal salt marshes are among earth's most productive ecosystems and provide a number of ecosystem services, including interception of watershed-derived nitrogen (n) before it reaches nearshore oceans. nitrogen pollution and climate change are two dominant drivers of global-change impacts on ecosystems, yet their interacting effects at the land-sea interface are poorly understood. we addressed how sea-level rise and anthropogenic n additions affect the salt marsh ecosystem process of nitrogen u ...201222879873
anthropogenic influences on macro-level mammal occupancy in the appalachian trail corridor.anthropogenic effects on wildlife are typically assessed at the local level, but it is often difficult to extrapolate to larger spatial extents. macro-level occupancy studies are one way to assess impacts of multiple disturbance factors that might vary over different geographic extents. here we assess anthropogenic effects on occupancy and distribution for several mammal species within the appalachian trail (at), a forest corridor that extends across a broad section of the eastern united states. ...201222880038
genetic diversity of hepatozoon spp. in coyotes from the south-central united states.to better define the strains and species of hepatozoon that infect coyotes in the south-central united states, whole blood and muscle samples were collected from 44 coyotes from 6 locations in oklahoma and texas. samples were evaluated by a nested polymerase chain reaction (pcr) using primers amplifying a variable region of the apicomplexan 18s rrna gene as well as histopathology (muscle only) for presence of tissue cysts. hepatozoon spp. infections were identified in 79.5% (35/44) of coyotes te ...201322924920
echinococcus multilocularis in urban coyotes, alberta, canada.echinococcus multilocularis is a zoonotic parasite in wild canids. we determined its frequency in urban coyotes (canis latrans) in alberta, canada. we detected e. multilocularis in 23 of 91 coyotes in this region. this parasite is a public health concern throughout the northern hemisphere, partly because of increased urbanization of wild canids.201223017505
mucosal adjuvants to improve wildlife rabies vaccination.raboral v-rg(®)a is a recombinant vaccine used in oral rabies vaccination (orv) programs for wildlife in the united states. vaccination rates for raccoons are substantially lower than vaccination rates for gray foxes and coyotes. research suggests that the low viscosity of the oral vaccine may preclude animals from receiving an effective dose when biting into the vaccine bait delivery system. we evaluated the possibility of using two benign compounds, chitosan and n,n,n-trimethylated chitosan (t ...201223060506
a shared system of representation governing quantity discrimination in canids.one way to investigate the evolution of cognition is to compare the abilities of phylogenetically related species. the domestic dog (canis lupus familiaris), for example, still shares cognitive abilities with the coyote (canis latrans). both of these canids possess the ability to make psychophysical "less/more" discriminations of food based on quantity. like many other species including humans, this ability is mediated by weber's law: discrimination of continuous quantities is dependent on the r ...201223060847
canid hybridization: contemporary evolution in human-modified landscapes.contemporary evolution through human-induced hybridization occurs throughout the taxonomic range. formerly allopatric species appear especially susceptible to hybridization. consequently, hybridization is expected to be more common in regions with recent sympatry owing to human activity than in areas of historical range overlap. coyotes (canis latrans) and gray wolves (c. lupus) are historically sympatric in western north america. following european settlement gray wolf range contracted, whereas ...201223139873
y-chromosome evidence supports widespread signatures of three-species canis hybridization in eastern north america.there has been considerable discussion on the origin of the red wolf and eastern wolf and their evolution independent of the gray wolf. we analyzed mitochondrial dna (mtdna) and a y-chromosome intron sequence in combination with y-chromosome microsatellites from wolves and coyotes within the range of extensive wolf-coyote hybridization, that is, eastern north america. the detection of divergent y-chromosome haplotypes in the historic range of the eastern wolf is concordant with earlier mtdna fin ...201223139890
evaluating the ability of bayesian clustering methods to detect hybridization and introgression using an empirical red wolf data set.bayesian clustering methods have emerged as a popular tool for assessing hybridization using genetic markers. simulation studies have shown these methods perform well under certain conditions; however, these methods have not been evaluated using empirical data sets with individuals of known ancestry. we evaluated the performance of two clustering programs, baps and structure, with genetic data from a reintroduced red wolf (canis rufus) population in north carolina, usa. red wolves hybridize with ...201323163531
spatial genetic and morphologic structure of wolves and coyotes in relation to environmental heterogeneity in a canis hybrid zone.eastern wolves have hybridized extensively with coyotes and gray wolves and are listed as a 'species of special concern' in canada. however, a distinct population of eastern wolves has been identified in algonquin provincial park (app) in ontario. previous studies of the diverse canis hybrid zone adjacent to app have not linked genetic analysis with field data to investigate genotype-specific morphology or determine how resident animals of different ancestry are distributed across the landscape ...201223173981
quantity discrimination in wolves (canis lupus).quantity discrimination has been studied extensively in different non-human animal species. in the current study, we tested 11 hand-raised wolves (canis lupus) in a two-way choice task. we placed a number of food items (one to four) sequentially into two opaque cans and asked the wolves to choose the larger amount. moreover, we conducted two additional control conditions to rule out non-numerical properties of the presentation that the animals might have used to make the correct choice. our resu ...201223181044
managing livestock using animal behavior: mixed-species stocking and flerds.mixed-species stocking can foster sound landscape management while offering economic and ecological advantages compared with mono-species stocking. producers contemplating a mixed-species enterprise should reflect on several considerations before implementing this animal management strategy. factors applicable to a particular producer's landscape must be considered together with goals and economic constraints before implementing mixed-species stocking. a major consideration when using mixed-spec ...201223217238
successful cloning of coyotes through interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer using domestic dog oocytes.interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iscnt) is an emerging assisted reproductive technology (art) for preserving nature's diversity. the scarcity of oocytes from some species makes utilisation of readily available oocytes inevitable. in the present study, we describe the successful cloning of coyotes (canis latrans) through iscnt using oocytes from domestic dogs (canis lupus familiaris or dingo). transfer of 320 interspecies-reconstructed embryos into 22 domestic dog recipients resulted i ...201323217630
frequent cross-species transmission of parvoviruses among diverse carnivore hosts.although parvoviruses are commonly described in domestic carnivores, little is known about their biodiversity in nondomestic species. a phylogenetic analysis of vp2 gene sequences from puma, coyote, gray wolf, bobcat, raccoon, and striped skunk revealed two major groups related to either feline panleukopenia virus ("fpv-like") or canine parvovirus ("cpv-like"). cross-species transmission was commonplace, with multiple introductions into each host species but, with the exception of raccoons, rela ...201323221559
sequence analysis of three pigmentation genes in the newfoundland population of canis latrans links the golden retriever mc1r variant to white coat color in coyotes.three genes, mc1r, agouti, and cbd103, interact in a type-switching process that controls much of the pigmentation variation observed in mammals. a deletion in the cbd103 gene is responsible for dominant black color in dogs, while the white-phased black bear ("spirit bear") of british columbia, canada, is the lightest documented color variant caused by a mutation in mc1r. rare all-white animals have recently been discovered in a new northeastern population of the coyote in insular newfoundland a ...201323297074
aleutian mink disease virus in furbearing mammals in nova scotia, canada.aleutian mink disease virus (amdv) is widespread among ranched and free-ranging american mink in canada, but there is no information on its prevalence in other wild animal species. this paper describes the prevalence of amdv of 12 furbearing species in nova scotia (ns), canada.201323394546
ultrastructural characterization of male and female physaloptera rara (spirurida: physalopteridae): feline stomach worms.physaloptera rara (spirurida: physalopteridae) has been found in dogs, coyotes, raccoons, wolves, foxes, cats, and bobcats in north america. the parasites' developmental cycles involve insects, including beetles, cockroaches, and crickets, as intermediate hosts. the nematodes firmly attach to the wall of the stomach and duodenum, where they feed on the mucosa and suck blood. frequent movement of these nematodes results in erosions and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. the present study repor ...201323455940
differential roles of the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in predator odor contextual fear conditioning.the study of fear memory is important for understanding various anxiety disorders in which patients experience persistent recollections of traumatic events. these memories often involve associations of contextual cues with aversive events; consequently, pavlovian classical conditioning is commonly used to study contextual fear learning. the use of predator odor as a fearful stimulus in contextual fear conditioning has become increasingly important as an animal model of anxiety disorders. innate ...201323460388
identification of a mutation that is associated with the saddle tan and black-and-tan phenotypes in basset hounds and pembroke welsh corgis.the causative mutation for the black-and-tan (a (t) ) phenotype in dogs was previously shown to be a sine insertion in the 5' region of agouti signaling protein (asip). dogs with the black-and-tan phenotype, as well as dogs with the saddle tan phenotype, genotype as a (t) /_ at this locus. we have identified a 16-bp duplication (g.1875_1890dupccccaggtcagagttt) in an intron of hnrnp associated with lethal yellow (raly), which segregates with the black-and-tan phenotype in a group of 99 saddle tan ...201323519866
fecal shedding of toxocara canis and other parasites in foxes and coyotes on prince edward island, canada.knowledge of parasites shed by wild canids can assist in recognizing risk to human and domestic animal health. our aim was to estimate the prevalence of patent infections with toxocara canis and other parasites in foxes (vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (canis latrans) in prince edward island, canada. identification of parasite species was based on microscopic examination of feces, with the use of a sucrose fecal flotation method. sample collection was performed in winter on carcasses of 271 and 185 h ...201323568915
oslerus osleri (metastrongyloidea; filaroididae) in gray wolves (canis lupus) from banff national park, alberta, canada.oslerus osleri is a filaroid parasite of the respiratory tract of canids. in north america, it is most commonly reported from coyotes (canis latrans) and domestic dogs (canis lupus familiaris), but reports in gray wolves (canis lupus) are infrequent. we report a new geographic record for o. osleri in four gray wolves from banff national park, alberta, canada. adult nematodes found in nodules in the submucosa of the trachea and bronchi were identified as o. osleri based on morphometry of spicules ...201323568921
establishment of a european-type strain of echinococcus multilocularis in canadian wildlife.in 2009, a haplotype closely related to european strains of echinococcus multilocularis was detected in a dog from the quesnel region of british columbia, canada. we now report the establishment of this same haplotype in 7 coyotes (canis latrans) trapped within 40 km of quesnel, bc. in addition, 3 coyotes and 1 red fox (vulpes vulpes) harboured adult cestodes morphologically compatible with that of e. multilocularis (overall prevalence 33% in 33 carnivores). none of 156 potential intermediate ho ...201323714582
development of a robust method for isolation of shiga toxin-positive escherichia coli (stec) from fecal, plant, soil and water samples from a leafy greens production region in california.during a 2.5-year survey of 33 farms and ranches in a major leafy greens production region in california, 13,650 produce, soil, livestock, wildlife, and water samples were tested for shiga toxin (stx)-producing escherichia coli (stec). overall, 357 and 1,912 samples were positive for e. coli o157:h7 (2.6%) or non-o157 stec (14.0%), respectively. isolates differentiated by o-typing elisa and multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (mlva) resulted in 697 o157:h7 and 3,256 non-o157 stec i ...201323762414
prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsia spp. and ehrlichia spp. in coyotes (canis latrans) in oklahoma and texas, usa.coyotes (canis latrans) are commonly infested with ticks, including amblyomma americanum, the predominant vector of ehrlichia chaffeensis and ehrlichia ewingii; dermacentor variabilis, an important vector of rickettsia rickettsii; and amblyomma maculatum, a major vector of rickettsia parkeri, a spotted fever group (sfg) rickettsia. to determine the degree to which coyotes are infected with or exposed to tick-borne bacterial disease agents, serum samples collected from coyotes in oklahoma and tex ...201323778619
water developments and canids in two north american deserts: a test of the indirect effect of water hypothesis.anthropogenic modifications to landscapes intended to benefit wildlife may negatively influence wildlife communities. anthropogenic provisioning of free water (water developments) to enhance abundance and distribution of wildlife is a common management practice in arid regions where water is limiting. despite the long-term and widespread use of water developments, little is known about how they influence native species. water developments may negatively influence arid-adapted species (e.g., kit ...201323844097
inter-specific territoriality in a canis hybrid zone: spatial segregation between wolves, coyotes, and hybrids.gray wolves (canis lupus) and coyotes (canis latrans) generally exhibit intraspecific territoriality manifesting in spatial segregation between adjacent packs. however, previous studies have found a high degree of interspecific spatial overlap between sympatric wolves and coyotes. eastern wolves (canis lycaon) are the most common wolf in and around algonquin provincial park (app), ontario, canada and hybridize with sympatric gray wolves and coyotes. we hypothesized that all canis types (wolves, ...201323864253
[parasitic infections of coyote, canis latrans (carnivora: canidae) in a costa rican national park and a surrounding agricultural area].as human populations expand into wild habitats with their pets and livestock, the potential spread of disease to wildlife or vice versa increases. because, wild and domestic canids may pose as reservoirs or disseminators of infectious diseases (including parasites), coyotes (canis latrans) may also serve as indicators of ecological health. in costa rica, little information exists on coyote parasites, making research necessary to identify potential zoonotic interactions. for this reason, a survey ...201223894947
adaptive introgression in animals: examples and comparison to new mutation and standing variation as sources of adaptive variation.adaptive genetic variation has been thought to originate primarily from either new mutation or standing variation. another potential source of adaptive variation is adaptive variants from other (donor) species that are introgressed into the (recipient) species, termed adaptive introgression. here, the various attributes of these three potential sources of adaptive variation are compared. for example, the rate of adaptive change is generally thought to be faster from standing variation, slower fr ...201323906376
canine echinococcosis: global epidemiology and genotypic diversity.canine echinococcosis is a potential zoonotic infection caused by the adult form of several cestode species belonging to the genus echinococcus, of which e. granulosus sensu lato and e. multilocularis are the most epidemiologically relevant. dogs infected with e. granulosus and e. multilocularis are widely regarded as the main source of infection for human cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, diseases that cause substantial morbidity and socio-economic burden in several regions of the world. foll ...201323954494
enhanced understanding of predator-prey relationships using molecular methods to identify predator species, individual and sex.predator species identification is an important step in understanding predator-prey interactions, but predator identifications using kill site observations are often unreliable. we used molecular tools to analyse predator saliva, scat and hair from caribou calf kills in newfoundland, canada to identify the predator species, individual and sex. we sampled dna from 32 carcasses using cotton swabs to collect predator saliva. we used fragment length analysis and sequencing of mitochondrial dna to di ...201423957886
taenia ovis infection and its control: a canadian perspective.distributed worldwide, taenia ovis infection is responsible for the condemnation of sheep carcasses in many countries. this review highlights the programme used in new zealand to successfully control t. ovis in sheep, and discusses how similar approaches may be modified for use in canada, given what is currently known about the epidemiology of t. ovis. the lifecycle of the parasite is well known, involving dogs as the definitive host and sheep or goats as the intermediate host. an effective vacc ...201424053136
population ecology of free-roaming cats and interference competition by coyotes in urban parks.free-roaming cats are a common element of urban landscapes worldwide, often causing controversy regarding their impacts on ecological systems and public health. we monitored cats within natural habitat fragments in the chicago metropolitan area to characterize population demographics, disease prevalence, movement patterns and habitat selection, in addition to assessing the possible influence of coyotes on cats. the population was dominated by adults of both sexes, and 24% of adults were in repro ...201324058699
y-chromosome evidence supports asymmetric dog introgression into eastern coyotes.hybridization has played an important role in the evolutionary history of canis species in eastern north america. genetic evidence of coyote-dog hybridization based on mitochondrial dna (mtdna) is lacking compared to that based on autosomal markers. this discordance suggests dog introgression into coyotes has potentially been male biased, but this hypothesis has not been formally tested. therefore, we investigated biparentally, maternally, and paternally inherited genetic markers in a sample of ...201324101990
coyotes in the crosswalks? fuggedaboutit! 201324137844
assessment of coyote-wolf-dog admixture using ancestry-informative diagnostic snps.the evolutionary importance of hybridization as a source of new adaptive genetic variation is rapidly gaining recognition. hybridization between coyotes and wolves may have introduced adaptive alleles into the coyote gene pool that facilitated an expansion in their geographic range and dietary niche. furthermore, hybridization between coyotes and domestic dogs may facilitate adaptation to human-dominated environments. we genotyped 63 ancestry-informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 427 ca ...201424148003
comparison of techniques of detecting immunoglobulin-binding protein reactivity to immunoglobulin produced by different avian and mammalian species.the rationale of this study was to use several immunological assays to investigate the reactivity of immunoglobulin binding protein (ibp) to immunoglobulins from various avian and mammalian species. the ibp studied were staphylococcal protein a (spa), streptococcal protein g (spg), peptostreptococcal protein l (spl) and recombinant protein la (spla). the various immunological techniques used were double immunodiffusion (ouchterlony technique) that tested positive high protein reactivities, direc ...201324171322
multimedia environmental monitoring: 50 years at hanford.environmental monitoring has been an ongoing activity on the u.s. department of energy's hanford site in southeastern washington for almost 50 years. objectives are to detect and assess potential impacts of site operations on air, surface and ground waters, foodstuffs, fish, wildlife, soil and vegetation. data from monitoring effects are used to calculate the overall radiological dose to humans working onsite or residing in nearby communities. in 1989, measured hanford site perimeter concentrati ...199324220840
effect of predator odors on heart rate and metabolic rate of wapiti (cervus elaphus canadensis).we measured the heart rate (hr) and oxygen consumption ([formula: see text]) of wapiti (cervus elaphus canadensis) before, during, and after presentation of biologically irrelevant odors (pentane, thiophene, and a perfume), artificial predator odors (an ether extract of cougar feces, and pdt, a compound found in mustelid anal gland secretion), stale predator odors (dog feces and urine and fox urine, kept at ambient temperature for a few weeks), and fresh predator odors (wolf, coyote, and cougar ...199624227589
responses of beaver (castor canadensis kuhl) to predator chemicals.free-ranging beaver (castor canadensis) in two different beaver populations in new york state were exposed to predator chemicals to test feeding inhibition. solvent extracts of feces were applied to stem sections of aspen, the preferred food tree of beavers, permitting smelling and tasting the samples. predator odors were from wolf (canis lupus), coyote (canis latrans), dog (canis familiaris), black bear (ursus americanus), river otter (lutra canadensis), lynx (lynx canadensis), and african lion ...199524234632
why are predator urines aversive to prey?predator odors often repel prey species. in the present experiments, we investigated whether changes in the diet of a predator, the coyote (canis latrans) would affect the repellency of its urine. furthermore, because predator odors have a high sulfur content, reflecting large amounts of meat in the diet, we investigated the contribution of sulfurous odors to repellency. our results were consistent with the hypothesis that diet composition and sulfurous metabolites of meat digestion are importan ...199424242647
aversive responses of white-tailed deer,odocoileus virginianus, to predator urines.we tested whether predator odors could reduce winter browsing of woody plants by white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus). urine from bobcats (lyra rufus) and coyotes (canis latrans) significantly reduced browsing of japanese yews (taxus cuspidata), and repellency was enhanced when urine was reapplied weekly as a topical spray. urine of cottontail rabbits (sylvilagus floridanus) and humans did not reduce damage, suggesting that deer do not respond aversively to odors of nonpredatory mammals or ...199124258921
effects of predator fecal odors on feed selection by sheep and cattle.the effectiveness of predator fecal odors in modifying feeding selection by sheep and cattle was investigated in two trials. in trial 1, animals could select from feed bins contaminated with coyote, fox, cougar, or bear fecal odor, and oil of wintergreen, or select the control feed. all odors were rejected (p<0.01) by sheep and cattle, except bear odors by sheep. in trial 2, animals could select feed during 10-min periods in an open 11-m × 16-m arena. fecal odor did not influence approaches to f ...199024263512
responses by canids to scent gland secretions of the western diamondback rattlesnake (crotalus atrox).many snakes discharge malodorous fluids from paired scent glands in the base of the tail when they are disturbed. a number of authors suggest that these secretions repel predators. scent gland secretions of the western diamondback rattlesnake (crotalus atrox), or dichloromethane extracts of them, were presented to coyotes (canis latrans) in three field tests, and to domestic dogs (canis familiaris) in two kennel tests, to determine whether responses of possible benefit to snakes are elicited. fr ...198924272101
coyote estrous urine volatiles.samples of female coyote urine were taken once or twice each week during the winter and spring for two years. headspace analysis was employed with tenax gc trapping and gc-ms. tenax trapping was started in less than 1 hr after sampling, and mild conditions were used to minimize losses of highly volatile and labile compounds. thirty-four compounds were identified. they include sulfur compounds, aldehydes and ketones, hydrocarbons, and one alcohol. the principal constituent is methyl 3-methylbut-3 ...198824276012
possible pheromonal regulation of reproduction in wild carnivores.recent observations of social behavior and reproduction in wolves, coyotes, hunting dogs, mongooses, and lions suggest possible involvement of pheromones in the regulation of reproductive activity. observed phenomena resemble the known pheromonal effects in mice such as suppression or synchronization of estrus, induction of maternal behavior, and interruption of pregnancy. further studies are necessary to verify the supposed biological effects of carnivore pheromones and to determine their chemi ...198524309850
use of predator odors as repellents to reduce feeding damage by herbivores : i. snowshoe hares (lepus americanus).the effectiveness of predator odors (fecal, urine, and anal scent gland) in suppressing feeding damage by snowshoe hares was investigated in pen bioassays at the university of british columbia research forest, maple ridge, british columbia, canada. a total of 28 bioassay trials tested the effects of these odors on hare consumption of willow browse and coniferous seedlings. lynx and bobcat feces, weasel anal gland secretion, and lynx, bobcat, wolf, coyote, fox, and wolverine urines resulted in th ...198524310275
use of predator odors as repellents to reduce feeding damage by herbivores : ii. black-tailed deer (odocoileus hemionus columbianus).the effectiveness of predator odors (fecal and urine) in suppressing feeding damage by black-tailed deer was investigated in pen bioassays at the university of british columbia research forest, maple ridge, british columbia, canada. a total of eight bioassay trials tested the effects of these odors on deer consumption of salal leaves and coniferous seedlings. cougar, coyote,and wolf feces as well as coyote, wolf, fox, wolverine, lynx, and bobcat urines provided the most effective suppression of ...198524310276
experimental infection of dogs with various bartonella species or subspecies isolated from their natural reservoir.dogs can be infected by a wide variety of bartonella species. however, limited data is available on experimental infection of dogs with bartonella strains isolated from domestic animals or wildlife. we report the inoculation of six dogs with bartonella henselae (feline strain 94022, 16s rrna type ii) in three sets of two dogs, each receiving a different inoculum dose), four dogs inoculated with b. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii type i (atcc strain, one mongrel dog) or type ii (coyote strain, two bea ...201424315039
genotyping toxoplasma gondii from wildlife in pennsylvania and identification of natural recombinants virulent to mice.recent studies indicated the predominance of toxoplasma gondii haplogroup 12 in wildlife in the usa. however, still little is known of the genetic diversity of this parasite circulating in wildlife. in the present study, we tested coyotes (canis latrans), red foxes (vulpes vulpes), white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus), and geese (branta canadensis) from the state of pennsylvania for t. gondii infection. antibodies to t. gondii were found in 160 of 367 animals, including 92 (34.5%) of 266 c ...201424332401
data on the parasitological status of golden jackal (canis aureus l., 1758) in hungary.in hungary, twenty canis aureus individuals were submitted to parasitological examinations in 2010-2012. two coccidia: cystoisospora canis (15%) and toxoplasma-type oocysts (5%), one trematoda: alaria alata (10%), six cestoda: mesocestoides lineatus (20%), echinococcus granulosus (10%), dipylidium caninums (5%), taenia hydatigena (15%), taenia pisiformis (20%), taenia crassiceps (40%), and nine nematoda: angiostrongylus vasorum (10%), crenosoma vulpis (30%), capillaria aerophila (5%), toxocara c ...201424334089
the influence of snowmobile trails on coyote movements during winter in high-elevation landscapes.competition between sympatric carnivores has long been of interest to ecologists. increased understanding of these interactions can be useful for conservation planning. increased snowmobile traffic on public lands and in habitats used by canada lynx (lynx canadensis) remains controversial due to the concern of coyote (canis latrans) use of snowmobile trails and potential competition with lynx. determining the variables influencing coyote use of snowmobile trails has been a priority for managers ...201324367565
natural history-driven, plant-mediated rnai-based study reveals cyp6b46's role in a nicotine-mediated antipredator herbivore defense.manduca sexta (ms) larvae are known to efficiently excrete ingested nicotine when feeding on their nicotine-producing native hostplant, nicotiana attenuata. here we describe how ingested nicotine is co-opted for larval defense by a unique mechanism. plant-mediated rnai was used to silence a midgut-expressed, nicotine-induced cytochrome p450 6b46 (cyp6b46) in larvae consuming transgenic n. attenuata plants producing mscyp6b46 dsrna. these and transgenic nicotine-deficient plants were planted into ...201424379363
responses of free-ranging coyotes to lures and their modifications.several chemical modifications of a synthetic fermented egg (sfe) lure were field tested on free-ranging coyotes (canis latrans) to determine the effects of odor intensity and quality on their behavioral responses. sfe was modified for testing by (1) enhancing one of the four basic odor components (fruity, sulfurous, sweaty, or fishy), (2) deleting one of the basic components, (3) individually testing an odor component, and (4) addition of aldehydes and indoles to sfe. most behavioral responses, ...198324407760
contraception has gone to the coyotes (canis latrans).coyotes (canis latrans) are predators of livestock. current management programs, primarily lethal control, are ineffective for long-term management of predation. controlling reproduction of coyotes may reduce depredations if territory fidelity is maintained by breeding pairs. surgical sterilization is successful in altering predatory behaviors of coyotes but may provide a challenge for field implementation. an alternative approach is the development of a one-time non-transferable chemical contra ...201324437078
survey of antibodies to leishmania spp. in wild canids from pennsylvania and tennessee.visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is a zoonosis with worldwide distribution. infections with the leishmania donovani complex, including leishmania infantum, cause the vl. domestic dogs are the most important reservoir host for human vl, and wild canids are also susceptible. in the united states, infections with l. infantum are common in the foxhound dog breed. little information is available regarding l. infantum in wild canids in the unites states. sera from 11 foxes and 256 coyotes originating in pe ...201324450086
using dynamic brownian bridge movement modelling to measure temporal patterns of habitat selection.accurately describing animal space use is vital to understanding how wildlife use habitat. improvements in gps technology continue to facilitate collection of telemetry data at high spatial and temporal resolutions. application of the recently introduced dynamic brownian bridge movement model (dbbmm) to such data is promising as the method explicitly incorporates the behavioural heterogeneity of a movement path into the estimated utilization distribution (ud). utilization distributions defining ...201424460723
a rapid field test for sylvatic plague exposure in wild animals.plague surveillance is routinely conducted to predict future epizootics in wildlife and exposure risk for humans. the most common surveillance method for sylvatic plague is detection of antibodies to yersinia pestis f1 capsular antigen in sentinel animals, such as coyotes (canis latrans). current serologic tests for y. pestis, hemagglutination (ha) test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa), are expensive and labor intensive. to address this need, we developed a complete lateral flow dev ...201424484483
immunological and clinical response of coyotes (canis latrans) to experimental inoculation with yersinia pestis.multiple publications have reported the use of coyotes (canis latrans) in animal-based surveillance efforts for the detection of yersinia pestis. coyotes are likely exposed via flea bite or oral routes and are presumed to be resistant to the development of clinical disease. these historic data have only been useful for the evaluation of the geographic distribution of y. pestis in the landscape. because the canid immunologic response to y. pestis has not been thoroughly characterized, we conducte ...201324502720
coyote (canis latrans) and domestic dog (canis familiaris) mortality and morbidity due to a karenia brevis red tide in the gulf of mexico.in october 2009, during a karenia brevis red tide along the texas coast, millions of dead fish washed ashore along the 113-km length of padre island national seashore (pais). between november 2009 and january 2010, at least 12 coyotes (canis latrans) and three domestic dogs (canis familiaris) died or were euthanized at pais or local veterinary clinics because of illness suspected to be related to the red tide. another red tide event occurred during autumn 2011 and, although fewer dead fish were ...201324502723
neospora caninum exposure in overlapping populations of coyotes (canis latrans) and feral swine (sus scrofa).limited information exists on neospora caninum transmission dynamics in wildlife. this coccidian parasite, whose presence can lead to substantial economic losses in cattle operations, requires a canid definitive host for reproduction. we examined exposure in a definitive host, coyotes (canis latrans), and in overlapping populations of feral swine (sus scrofa) to determine if spatial proximity between a definitive and incidental host influences the likelihood of parasite exposure. eighteen percen ...201324502735
isolation of viable neospora caninum from brains of wild gray wolves (canis lupus).neospora caninum is a common cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. canids, including the dog and the dingo (canis familiaris), the coyote (canis latrans), and the gray wolf (canis lupus) are its definitive hosts that can excrete environmentally resistant oocysts in the environment, but also can act as intermediate hosts, harboring tissue stages of the parasite. in an attempt to isolate viable n. caninum from tissues of naturally infected wolves, brain and heart tissue from 109 wolves from minne ...201424522164
production of hybrids between western gray wolves and western coyotes.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 dep ...201424586418
detection of leptospira spp. in wildlife reservoir hosts in ontario through comparison of immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction genotyping methods.a total of 460 kidney samples from wildlife (beavers, coyotes, deer, foxes, opossums, otters, raccoons, skunks) were obtained from road-kill and hunter/trapper donations in ontario between january 2010 and november 2012. the objectives of the study were to detect leptospira spp. by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (pcr), to map presence of leptospires in wildlife relative to livestock and human populations, and to characterize positive samples by sequencing and comparison to le ...201424587507
competition and intraguild predation among three sympatric carnivores.we examined the relative roles of dominance in agonistic interactions and energetic constraints related to body size in determining local abundances of coyotes (canis latrans, 8-20 kg), gray foxes (urocyon cinereoargenteus, 3-5 kg) and bobcats (felis rufus, 5-15 kg) at three study sites (hereafter referred to as np, cp, and sp) in the santa monica mountains of california. we hypothesized that the largest and behaviorally dominant species, the coyote, would exploit a wider range of resources (i.e ...200024595837
postfeeding larval dispersal behavior of late season blow flies (calliphoridae) in southern ontario, canada.postfeeding dispersal involves migration of larvae away from their food source in order to pupate. puparia are difficult to find, yet are important for estimating pmi, and missing puparia during collection can result in inaccurate estimations. this study investigates the late season maggot dispersal patterns for blow flies at coyote carcasses in two habitats with an aim to improving puparia collection procedures. puparia samples collected from various dispersal distances and directions tested th ...201424602116
impacts from control operations on a recreationally hunted feral swine population at a large military installation in florida.feral swine were targeted for control at avon park air force range in south-central florida to avert damage to sensitive wetland habitats on the 40,000-ha base. we conducted a 5-year study to assess impacts from control to this population that had been recreationally hunted for many years. control was initiated in early 2009. the feral swine population was monitored from 2008 to 2012 using a passive tracking index (pti) during the dry and wet seasons and using recreational hunter take rates from ...201424622991
isotopic investigation of niche partitioning among native carnivores and the non-native coyote (canis latrans).we employed stable carbon (δ(13)c) and nitrogen (δ(15)n) isotopes within a hypothetico-deductive framework to explore potential resource partitioning among terrestrial mammalian carnivores. isotope values were acquired using guard hair samples from bobcat (lynx rufus), coyote (canis latrans), gray fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus), and red fox (vulpes vulpes) in the adirondack park, ny, usa. enrichment along the δ(13)c axis was expected to reflect the use of human sources of food (reflecting a corn ...201424666214
a protected area influences genotype-specific survival and the structure of a canis hybrid zone.it is widely recognized that protected areas can strongly influence ecological systems and that hybridization is an important conservation issue. however, previous studies have not explicitly considered the influence of protected areas on hybridization dynamics. eastern wolves are a species of special concern and their distribution is largely restricted to a protected population in algonquin provincial park (app), ontario, canada, where they are the numerically dominant canid. we studied intrins ...201424669720
coyotes, deer, and wildflowers: diverse evidence points to a trophic cascade.spatial gradients in human activity, coyote activity, deer activity, and deer herbivory provide an unusual type of evidence for a trophic cascade. activity of coyotes, which eat young mule deer (fawns), decreased with proximity to a remote biological field station, indicating that these predators avoided an area of high human activity. in contrast, activity of adult female deer (does) and intensity of herbivory on palatable plant species both increased with proximity to the station and were posi ...201424728614
spatial heterogeneity and temporal variations in echinococcus multilocularis infections in wild hosts in a north american urban setting.echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis, has the potential to circulate in urban areas where wild host populations and humans coexist. the spatial and temporal distribution of infection in wild hosts locally affects the risk of transmission to humans. we investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of e. multilocularis infection in coyotes and rodent intermediate hosts within the city of calgary, canada, and the association between spatial variations i ...201424747533
a body, a dog, and a fistful of scats.dogs and coyotes are the most frequently reported canids responsible for scavenging human remains. we present the case of a 90-year-old woman whose mummified body was found in her home showing partial destruction of the thorax and extremities and absence of the cranium. the victim lived with a beagle dog whose dead body was also found, along with abundant scats throughout the house. scavenging by the decedent's pet was the proposed hypothesis for the partial dismemberment and consumption of her ...201424852762
using molecular epidemiology to track toxoplasma gondii from terrestrial carnivores to marine hosts: implications for public health and conservation.environmental transmission of the zoonotic parasite toxoplasma gondii, which is shed only by felids, poses risks to human and animal health in temperate and tropical ecosystems. atypical t. gondii genotypes have been linked to severe disease in people and the threatened population of california sea otters. to investigate land-to-sea parasite transmission, we screened 373 carnivores (feral domestic cats, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes) for t. gondii infection and examined the distrib ...201424874796
factors influencing u.s. canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) prevalence.this paper examines the individual factors that influence prevalence rates of canine heartworm in the contiguous united states. a data set provided by the companion animal parasite council, which contains county-by-county results of over nine million heartworm tests conducted during 2011 and 2012, is analyzed for predictive structure. the goal is to identify the factors that are important in predicting high canine heartworm prevalence rates.201424906567
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