Publications

home range size, vegetation density, and season influences prey use by coyotes (canis latrans).	to ensure reproductive success, canis species establish contiguous mosaics of territories in suitable habitats to partition space and defend limiting resources. consequently, canis species can exert strong effects on prey populations locally because of their year-round maintenance of territories. we assessed prey use by coyotes (canis latrans) by sampling scats from within known territories in southeastern alabama and the savannah river area of georgia and south carolina. we accounted for the si ...	2018	30303970
size-assortative choice and mate availability influences hybridization between red wolves (canis rufus) and coyotes (canis latrans).	anthropogenic hybridization of historically isolated taxa has become a primary conservation challenge for many imperiled species. indeed, hybridization between red wolves (canis rufus) and coyotes (canis latrans) poses a significant challenge to red wolf recovery. we considered seven hypotheses to assess factors influencing hybridization between red wolves and coyotes via pair-bonding between the two species. because long-term monogamy and defense of all-purpose territories are core characterist ...	2018	29721269
leptospira antibodies detected in wildlife in the usa and the us virgin islands.	from 2011 to 2017, 4,534 serum samples from 13 wildlife species collected across the us and in one territory (us virgin islands) were tested for exposure to leptospira serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona. of 1,759 canids, 1,043 cervids, 23 small indian mongooses ( herpestes auropunctatus), 1,704 raccoons ( procyon lotor), and five striped skunks ( mephitis mephitis), 27.0, 44.4, 30.4, 40.8, and 60%, respectively, were antibody positive for any of ...	2018	29715063
rediscovery of red wolf ghost alleles in a canid population along the american gulf coast.	rediscovering species once thought to be extinct or on the edge of extinction is rare. red wolves have been extinct along the american gulf coast since 1980, with their last populations found in coastal louisiana and texas. we report the rediscovery of red wolf ghost alleles in a canid population on galveston island, texas. we analyzed over 7000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (snps) in 60 canid representatives from all legally recognized north american canis species and two phenotypically ambig ...	2018	30544757
population genomic analysis of north american eastern wolves (canis lycaon) supports their conservation priority status.	the threatened eastern wolf is found predominantly in protected areas of central ontario and has an evolutionary history obscured by interbreeding with coyotes and gray wolves, which challenges its conservation status and subsequent management. here, we used a population genomics approach to uncover spatial patterns of variation in 281 canids in central ontario and the great lakes region. this represents the first genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) dataset with substantial sample s ...	2018	30518163
seed ingestion and germination in rattlesnakes: overlooked agents of rescue and secondary dispersal.	seed dispersal is a key evolutionary process and a central theme in the population ecology of terrestrial plants. the primary producers of most land-based ecosystems are propagated by and maintained through various mechanisms of seed dispersal that involve both abiotic and biotic modes of transportation. by far the most common biotic seed transport mechanism is zoochory, whereby seeds, or fruits containing them, are dispersed through the activities of animals. rodents are one group of mammals th ...	2018	29436500
coexistence of coyotes (canis latrans) and red foxes (vulpes vulpes) in an urban landscape.	urban environments are increasing worldwide and are inherently different than their rural counterparts, with a variety of effects on wildlife due to human presence, increased habitat fragmentation, movement barriers, and access to anthropogenic food sources. effective management of urban wildlife requires an understanding of how urbanization affects their behavior and ecology. the spatial activity and interactions of urban wildlife, however, have not been as rigorously researched as in rural are ...	2018	29364916
demographic history influences spatial patterns of genetic diversityin recently expanded coyote (canis latrans) populations.	human-mediated range expansions have increased in recent decades and represent unique opportunities to evaluate genetic outcomes of establishing peripheral populations across broad expansion fronts. over the past century, coyotes (canis latrans) have undergone a pervasive range expansion and now inhabit every state in the continental united states. coyote expansion into eastern north america was facilitated by anthropogenic landscape changes and followed two broad expansion fronts. the northern ...	2018	29269931
echinococcus in wild canids in québec (canada) and maine (usa).	zoonotic echinococcus spp. cestodes (e. canadensis and e. multilocularis) infect domestic animals, wildlife, and people in regions of canada and the usa. we recovered and quantified echinococcus spp. cestodes from 22 of 307 intestinal tracts of wild canids (23 wolves, 100 coyotes, 184 red and arctic foxes) in the state of maine and the province of québec. we identified the species and genotypes of three echinococcus spp. cestodes per infected animal by sequencing mitochondrial dna at two loci. w ...	2018	30125277
detecting co-infections of echinococcus multilocularis and echinococcus canadensis in coyotes and red foxes in alberta, canada using real-time pcr.	the continued monitoring of echinococcus species in intermediate and definitive hosts is essential to understand the eco-epidemiology of these parasites, as well to assess their potential impact on public health. in canada, co-infections of echinococcus canadensis and echinococcus multilocularis based on genetic characterization have been recently reported in wolves, but not yet in other possible hosts such as coyotes and foxes. in this study, we aimed to develop a quantitative real-time pcr ass ...	2018	29988802
treatment of suspected exertional myopathy using dantrolene in a coyote ( canis latrans).	a 3-yr-old spayed female coyote ( canis latrans) developed clinical signs of exertional myopathy after fighting with a conspecific. a diagnosis of exertional myopathy was made based on physical examination findings, probable myoglobinuria, and elevations in serum creatinine kinase activity, alanine aminotransferase activity, and potassium concentration. dantrolene, a hydantoin analog, as well as supportive and symptomatic therapies, was used to successfully treat exertional myopathy. this is the ...	2018	29900791
is the red wolf a listable unit under the us endangered species act?	defining units that can be afforded legal protection is a crucial, albeit challenging, step in conservation planning. as we illustrate with a case study of the red wolf (canis rufus) from the southeastern united states, this step is especially complex when the evolutionary history of the focal taxon is uncertain. the us endangered species act (esa) allows listing of species, subspecies, or distinct population segments (dpss) of vertebrates. red wolves were listed as an endangered species in 1973 ...	2018	29889268
mapping the expansion of coyotes (canis latrans) across north and central america.	the geographic distribution of coyotes (canis latrans) has dramatically expanded since 1900, spreading across much of north america in a period when most other mammal species have been declining. although this considerable expansion has been well documented at the state/provincial scale, continent-wide descriptions of coyote spread have portrayed conflicting distributions for coyotes prior to the 1900s, with popularly referenced anecdotal accounts showing them restricted to the great plains, and ...	2018	29861647
roads do not increase carrion use by a vertebrate scavenging community.	wildlife-vehicle collisions introduce a considerable amount of carrion into the environment, but scavenger use of this resource has not been extensively investigated. scavengers may use roads for reliable foraging opportunities, but might also use roads for other purposes and encounter carrion opportunistically. we examined scavenging of carrion along linear features by placing 52 rabbit carcasses in each of three treatments in forested habitat during winter (dec 2016-mar 2017) in south carolina ...	2018	30397216
echinococcus multilocularis in a wild free-living eastern chipmunk (tamias striatus) in southern ontario: a case report and subsequent field study of wild small mammals.	southern ontario has recently been identified as a risk area for echinococcus multilocularis, based on surveys of foxes (vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (canis latrans) which act as definitive hosts of the parasite. in this manuscript, we describe the first detection of e. multilocularis in an eastern chipmunk (tamias striatus) in north america. this case, submitted to the canadian wildlife health cooperative (cwhc) in august 2016 as part of ongoing wildlife disease surveillance activities, represent ...	2018	31014882
prey abundance and urbanization influence the establishment of avian predators in a metropolitan landscape.	urbanization causes the simplification of natural habitats, resulting in animal communities dominated by exotic species with few top predators. in recent years, however, many predators such as hawks, and in the us coyotes and cougars, have become increasingly common in urban environments. hawks in the accipiter genus, especially, are recovering from widespread population declines and are increasingly common in urbanizing landscapes. our goal was to identify factors that determine the occupancy, ...	2018	30404886
natural history of ixodes affinis in virginia.	the ixodid tick species ixodes affinis is expanding its range northward, changing the tick community population dynamics in the mid-atlantic united states. we present five years of surveillance on newly established populations of i. affinis throughout southeastern virginia and discuss the habitat and host associations of i. affinis in this northernmost extent of its range. we found that i. affinis populations tend to persist once they are established, and populations tend to increase as ecologic ...	2018	29030315
evidence of two cocirculating canine distemper virus strains in mesocarnivores from northern colorado.	canine distemper virus (cdv) is a highly contagious pathogen that principally infects wildlife and domestic carnivores. peridomestic species such as raccoons ( procyon lotor) experience outbreaks with high mortality. clinical signs of infection include anorexia, fever, respiratory infection, and neurologic complications. although not zoonotic, cdv poses a high risk to unvaccinated domestic animals and the conservation of endangered species. during 2013-2016, we opportunistically collected wild a ...	2018	29498900
revisiting rabies virus neutralizing antibodies through infecting balb/c mice with live rabies virus.	this study investigates the production of rabies virus (rabv) neutralizing antibody after virus infection through a mouse model. the balb/c mice from different age groups (three, five, seven week old) were intramuscularly inoculated with live rabies virus (tx coyote 323r). without pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis (pep), we found there is a decreased fatality with increased age of animals, the mortalities are 60%, 50%, and 30%, respectively. interestingly, through assay of rapid fluoresc ...	2018	29471052
seasonal distribution, blood-feeding habits, and viruses of mosquitoes in an open-faced quarry in connecticut, 2010 and 2011.	seasonal abundance of mosquitoes, their viruses, and blood-feeding habits were determined at an open-faced quarry in north branford, ct, in 2010 and 2011. this unique habitat had not previously been sampled for mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses. thirty species of mosquitoes were identified from 41,719 specimens collected. coquillettidia perturbans, aedes trivittatus, and ae. vexans were the most abundant species and represented 34.5%, 17.7%, and 14.8% of the totals, respectively. jamestown c ...	2018	31442119
interspecific gene flow shaped the evolution of the genus canis.	the evolutionary history of the wolf-like canids of the genus canis has been heavily debated, especially regarding the number of distinct species and their relationships at the population and species level [1-6]. we assembled a dataset of 48 resequenced genomes spanning all members of the genus canis except the black-backed and side-striped jackals, encompassing the global diversity of seven extant canid lineages. this includes eight new genomes, including the first resequenced ethiopian wolf (c ...	2018	30344120
parental habituation to human disturbance over time reduces fear of humans in coyote offspring.	a fundamental tenet of maternal effects assumes that maternal variance over time should have discordant consequences for offspring traits across litters. yet, seldom are parents observed across multiple reproductive bouts, with few studies considering anthropogenic disturbances as an ecological driver of maternal effects. we observed captive coyote (canis latrans) pairs over two successive litters to determine whether among-litter differences in behavior (i.e., risk-taking) and hormones (i.e., c ...	2018	30619597
direct aqueous injection of the fluoroacetate anion in potable water for analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry.	sodium fluoroacetate or compound 1080 is a rodenticide registered in the united states for use in livestock protection collars. the collars are employed to control predation on herd animals (i.e., killing of cattle by wolves or coyotes). sodium fluoroacetate is acutely toxic to humans and has potential to cause mass casualties if used to intentionally contaminate water systems. the u.s. environmental protection agency (epa) is responsible for characterization and remediation if such an incident ...	2018	30598702
helminth parasites and zoonotic risk associated with urban coyotes (canis latrans) in alberta, canada.	coyotes (canis latrans) are resilient, adaptable, cosmopolitan omnivores that are increasingly prevalent in urban environments, where they interact with both humans and domestic dogs. coyotes potentially transmit zoonotic parasites, including the tapeworm echinococcus multilocularis, which appears to be increasing in prevalence in western north america. in this study, we analysed the carcasses of 23 urban coyotes in edmonton, alberta, canada. focusing primarily on the helminth community, we reco ...	2018	30588908
patterns of wild carnivore attacks on humans in urban areas.	attacks by wild carnivores on humans represent an increasing problem in urban areas across north america and their frequency is expected to rise following urban expansion towards carnivore habitats. here, we analyzed records of carnivore attacks on humans in urban areas of the u.s. and canada between 1980 and 2016 to analyze the general patterns of the attacks, as well as describe the landscape structure and, for those attacks occurring at night, the light conditions at the site of the attacks. ...	2018	30531972
a bead-based flow cytometric assay for monitoring yersinia pestis exposure in wildlife.	yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague and is considered a category a priority pathogen due to its potential for high transmissibility and the significant morbidity and mortality it causes in humans. y. pestis is endemic to the western united states and much of the world, necessitating programs to monitor for this pathogen on the landscape. elevated human risk of plague infection has been spatially correlated with spikes in seropositive wildlife numbers, particularly rodent-eating carn ...	2018	29695520
population genomics of grey wolves and wolf-like canids in north america.	north america is currently home to a number of grey wolf (canis lupus) and wolf-like canid populations, including the coyote (canis latrans) and the taxonomically controversial red, eastern timber and great lakes wolves. we explored their population structure and regional gene flow using a dataset of 40 full genome sequences that represent the extant diversity of north american wolves and wolf-like canid populations. this included 15 new genomes (13 north american grey wolves, 1 red wolf and 1 e ...	2018	30419012
climate change can alter predator-prey dynamics and population viability of prey.	for many organisms, climate change can directly drive population declines, but it is less clear how such variation may influence populations indirectly through modified biotic interactions. for instance, how will climate change alter complex, multi-species relationships that are modulated by climatic variation and that underlie ecosystem-level processes? caribou (rangifer tarandus), a keystone species in newfoundland, canada, provides a useful model for unravelling potential and complex long-ter ...	2018	29167983
introduction of canine parvovirus 2 into wildlife on the island of newfoundland, canada.	canine parvovirus-2 (cpv-2) and feline panleukopenia virus (fpv) (species carnivore protoparvovirus 1, family parvoviridae) cause a severe gastrointestinal disease associated with immune depression in a broad range of terrestrial carnivores. we report here the first molecular epidemiological investigation of protoparvoviruses on the island of newfoundland, canada. in particular, we investigated red foxes (vulpes vulpes deletrix) and lynx (lynx canadensis subsolanus), two autochthonous species, a ...	2017	28935611
toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence and genotype diversity in select wildlife species from the southeastern united states.	toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects humans and other animals. previous studies indicate some genotypes of t. gondii are more frequently isolated in wildlife than agricultural animals, suggesting a wild/feral animal diversity model. to determine seroprevalence and genetic diversity of t. gondii in southeastern us wildlife, we collected sera from 471 wild animals, including 453 mammals and 18 birds, between 2011 and 2014. these serum samples were assayed for t. gondii ...	2017	29061166
taxonomic differences of gut microbiomes drive cellulolytic enzymatic potential within hind-gut fermenting mammals.	host diet influences the diversity and metabolic activities of the gut microbiome. previous studies have shown that the gut microbiome provides a wide array of enzymes that enable processing of diverse dietary components. because the primary diet of the porcupine, erethizon dorsatum, is lignified plant material, we reasoned that the porcupine microbiome would be replete with enzymes required to degrade lignocellulose. here, we report on the bacterial composition in the porcupine microbiome using ...	2017	29281673
oral vaccination of wildlife using a vaccinia-rabies-glycoprotein recombinant virus vaccine (raboral v-rg®): a global review.	raboral v-rg® is an oral rabies vaccine bait that contains an attenuated ("modified-live") recombinant vaccinia virus vector vaccine expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein gene (v-rg). approximately 250 million doses have been distributed globally since 1987 without any reports of adverse reactions in wildlife or domestic animals since the first licensed recombinant oral rabies vaccine (orv) was released into the environment to immunize wildlife populations against rabies. v-rg is genetically ...	2017	28938920
distribution and host associations of ixodid ticks collected from wildlife in florida, usa.	a tick survey was conducted to document tick-host associations with florida (usa) wildlife, and to determine the relative abundance and distribution of ixodid ticks throughout the state. the survey was conducted using collection kits distributed to licensed florida hunters as well as the examination of archived specimens from ongoing state wildlife research programs. collected tick samples were obtained from 66% of florida counties and were collected from nine wildlife hosts, including black bea ...	2017	29110170
ancestry-specific methylation patterns in admixed offspring from an experimental coyote and gray wolf cross.	reduced fitness of admixed individuals is typically attributed to genetic incompatibilities. although mismatched genomes can lead to fitness changes, in some cases the reduction in hybrid fitness is subtle. the potential role of transcriptional regulation in admixed genomes could provide a mechanistic explanation for these discrepancies, but evidence is lacking for nonmodel organisms. here, we explored the intersection of genetics and gene regulation in admixed genomes derived from an experiment ...	2017	28182234
nicotiana attenuata data hub (nadh): an integrative platform for exploring genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic data in wild tobacco.	nicotiana attenuata (coyote tobacco) is an ecological model for studying plant-environment interactions and plant gene function under real-world conditions. during the last decade, large amounts of genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic data have been generated with this plant which has provided new insights into how native plants interact with herbivores, pollinators and microbes. however, an integrative and open access platform that allows for the efficient mining of these -omics data remaine ...	2017	28086860
adelina anthony interview with aimee carrillo rowe.	this interview explores how performing artist, activist, writer, director, performer adelina anthony stages queer women of color affects as a complex terrain to mobilize a decolonial imaginary. anthony's characters are complex, contradictory, surly, and resilient with whom audience members connect and feel deeply. especially for queer women of color, who rarely get to see their own experiences on film or on stage, anthony's work provides a critical forum for discussing, imagining, naming, and en ...	2017	27611794
genome-wide analysis of the diversity and ancestry of korean dogs.	there are various hypotheses on dog domestication based on archeological and genetic studies. although many studies have been conducted on the origin of dogs, the existing literature about the ancestry, diversity, and population structure of korean dogs is sparse. therefore, this study is focused on the origin, diversity and population structure of korean dogs. the study sample comprised four major categories, including non-dogs (coyotes and wolves), ancient, modern and korean dogs. selected sam ...	2017	29182674
rancher-reported efficacy of lethal and non-lethal livestock predation mitigation strategies for a suite of carnivores.	pastoralists have dealt with livestock losses from predators for millennia, yet effective mitigation strategies that balance wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture are still needed today. in wyoming, usa, 274 ranchers responded to a retrospective survey, and rated the efficacy of predation mitigation strategies for foxes, dogs, coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, and birds (buzzards, eagles, hawks, ravens). rancher reported efficacy of mitigation varied by predator specie ...	2017	29074881
dental caries in the fossil record: a window to the evolution of dietary plasticity in an extinct bear.	during the late pleistocene of north america (≈36,000 to 10,000 years ago), saber-toothed cats, american lions, dire wolves, and coyotes competed for prey resources at rancho la brea (rlb). despite the fact that the giant short-faced bear (arctodus simus) was the largest land carnivoran present in the fauna, there is no evidence that it competed with these other carnivores for prey at the site. here, for the first time, we report carious lesions preserved in specimens of a. simus, recovered from ...	2017	29259277
setting an evolutionary trap: could the hider strategy be maladaptive for white-tailed deer?	an evolutionary trap occurs when an organism makes a formerly adaptive decision that now results in a maladaptive outcome. such traps can be induced by anthropogenic environmental changes, with nonnative species introductions being a leading cause. the recent establishment of coyotes (canis latrans) into the southeastern usa has the potential to change white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus) population dynamics through direct predation and behavioral adaptation. we used movement rate and beds ...	2017	29225404
fatal attraction? intraguild facilitation and suppression among predators.	competition and suppression are recognized as dominant forces that structure predator communities. facilitation via carrion provisioning, however, is a ubiquitous interaction among predators that could offset the strength of suppression. understanding the relative importance of these positive and negative interactions is necessary to anticipate community-wide responses to apex predator declines and recoveries worldwide. using state-sponsored wolf (canis lupus) control in alaska as a quasi experi ...	2017	29053355
single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites in the canine glutathione s-transferase pi 1 (gstp1) gene promoter.	genetic polymorphisms within the glutathione s-transferase p1 (gstp1) gene affect the elimination of toxic xenobiotics by the gstp1 enzyme. in dogs, exposure to environmental chemicals that may be gstp1 substrates is associated with cancer. the objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic variability in the gstp1 promoter in a diverse population of 278 purebred dogs, compare the incidence of any variants found between breeds, and predict their effects on gene expression. to provide i ...	2017	29046813
examining spatial patterns of selection and use for an altered predator guild.	anthropogenic disturbances have altered species' distributions potentially impacting interspecific interactions. interference competition is when one species denies a competing species access to a resource. one mechanism of interference competition is aggression, which can result in altered space-use of a subordinate species due to the threat of harm, otherwise known as a 'landscape of fear'. alternatively, subordinates might outcompete dominant species in resource-poor environments via a superi ...	2017	29038862
the influence of sniffing on airflow and odorant deposition in the canine nasal cavity.	nasal airflow plays a critical role in olfaction by transporting odorant from the environment to the olfactory epithelium, where chemical detection occurs. most studies of olfaction neglect the unsteadiness of sniffing and assume that nasal airflow and odorant transport are "quasi-steady," wherein reality most mammals "sniff." here, we perform computational fluid dynamics simulations of airflow and odorant deposition in an anatomically accurate model of the coyote (canis latrans) nasal cavity du ...	2017	28981825
influence of free water availability on a desert carnivore and herbivore.	anthropogenic manipulation of finite resources on the landscape to benefit individual species or communities is commonly employed by conservation and management agencies. one such action in arid regions is the construction and maintenance of water developments (i.e., wildlife guzzlers) adding free water on the landscape to buttress local populations, influence animal movements, or affect distributions of certain species of interest. despite their prevalence, the utility of wildlife guzzlers rema ...	2017	29491969
synanthropic mammals as potential hosts of tick-borne pathogens in panama.	synanthropic wild mammals can be important hosts for many vector-borne zoonotic pathogens. the aim of this study was determine the exposure of synanthropic mammals to two types of tick-borne pathogens in panama, spotted fever group rickettsia (sfgr) and borrelia relapsing fever (rf) spirochetes. one hundred and thirty-one wild mammals were evaluated, including two gray foxes, two crab-eating foxes (from zoos), four coyotes, 62 opossum and 63 spiny rats captured close to rural towns. to evaluate ...	2017	28060928
prevalence of alaria infection in companion animals in north central oklahoma from 2006 through 2015 and detection in wildlife.	objective to determine the prevalence of alaria infection in cats and dogs in north central oklahoma over various periods and investigate whether wild animal species in this region were also infected. design combined cross-sectional study and case series. sample results of parasitological testing of fecal samples from 5,417 client-owned dogs and 1,246 client-owned cats (2006 through 2014); fecal samples from 837 shelter or rescue dogs and 331 shelter or rescue cats (2013 and 2014) and 268 feral ...	2017	28358635
inferring infection hazard in wildlife populations by linking data across individual and population scales.	our ability to infer unobservable disease-dynamic processes such as force of infection (infection hazard for susceptible hosts) has transformed our understanding of disease transmission mechanisms and capacity to predict disease dynamics. conventional methods for inferring foi estimate a time-averaged value and are based on population-level processes. because many pathogens exhibit epidemic cycling and foi is the result of processes acting across the scales of individuals and populations, a flex ...	2017	28090753
the history of rabies in the western hemisphere.	before the introduction of control programs in the 20th century, rabies in domestic dogs occurred throughout the western hemisphere. however, historical records and phylogenetic analysis of multiple virus isolates indicate that, before the arrival of the first european colonizers, rabies virus was likely present only in bats and skunks. canine rabies was either rare or absent among domestic dogs of native americans, and first arrived when many new dog breeds were imported during the period of eu ...	2017	28365457
management and modeling approaches for controlling raccoon rabies: the road to elimination.	rabies is an ancient viral disease that significantly impacts human and animal health throughout the world. in the developing parts of the world, dog bites represent the highest risk of rabies infection to people, livestock, and other animals. however, in north america, where several rabies virus variants currently circulate in wildlife, human contact with the raccoon rabies variant leads to the highest per capita population administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (pep) annually. previous ra ...	2017	28301480
ungulate predation and ecological roles of wolves and coyotes in eastern north america.	understanding the ecological roles of species that influence ecosystem processes is a central goal of ecology and conservation biology. eastern coyotes (canis latrans) have ascended to the role of apex predator across much of eastern north america since the extirpation of wolves (canis spp.) and there has been considerable confusion regarding their ability to prey on ungulates and their ecological niche relative to wolves. eastern wolves (c. lycaon) are thought to have been the historical top pr ...	2017	28064464
use of remote cameras to monitor the potential prevalence of sarcoptic mange in southern texas, usa.	sarcoptic mange, caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei , is a common, highly contagious skin disease that has been reported from more than 100 species of mammals, including humans. our objectives were to 1) determine the prevalence of sarcoptic mange within mammals from southern texas, and 2) determine the efficacy of using remote cameras to estimate mange prevalence. we collected remote camera photographs from a 64-km(2) area and blood and skin scrapings from 166 mammals representing 12 species ...	2017	28135133
improving the assessment of predator functional responses by considering alternate prey and predator interactions.	to improve understanding of the complex and variable patterns of predator foraging behavior in natural systems, it is critical to determine how density-dependent predation and predator hunting success are mediated by alternate prey or predator interference. despite considerable theory and debate seeking to place predator-prey interactions in a more realistic context, few empirical studies have quantified the role of alternate prey or intraspecific interactions on predator-prey dynamics. we asses ...	2017	28369822
investigation of techniques to measure cortisol and testosterone concentrations in coyote hair.	long-term noninvasive sampling for endangered or elusive species is particularly difficult due to the challenge of collecting fecal samples before hormone metabolite desiccation, as well as the difficulty in collecting a large enough sample size from all individuals. hair samples may provide an environmentally stable alternative that provides a long-term assessment of stress and reproductive hormone profiles for captive, zoo, and wild mammals. here, we extracted and analyzed both cortisol and te ...	2017	28295537
genetic characterization of sarcoptes scabiei from black bears (ursus americanus) and other hosts in eastern united states.	since the early 1990s there has been an increase in the number of cases and geographic expansion of severe mange in the black bear (ursus americanus) population in pennsylvania. although there are 3 species of mites associated with mange in bears, sarcoptes scabiei has been identified as the etiologic agent in these pennsylvania cases. historically s. scabiei-associated mange in bears has been uncommon and sporadic although it is widespread and relatively common in canid populations. to better u ...	2017	28639466
comment on "whole-genome sequence analysis shows two endemic species of north american wolf are admixtures of the coyote and gray wolf".	whole-genome data do not support a recent hybrid origin for red and eastern wolves.	2017	28630899
eurasian golden jackal as host of canine vector-borne protists.	jackals are medium-sized canids from the wolf-like clade, exhibiting a unique combination of ancestral morphotypes, broad trophic niches, and close phylogenetic relationships with the wolf and dog. thus, they represent a potential host of several pathogens with diverse transmission routes. recently, populations of the eurasian golden jackal canis aureus have expanded into the western palaearctic, including most of europe. the aim of our study was to examine eurasian golden jackals from romania, ...	2017	28410591
contaminated stream water as source for escherichia coli o157 illness in children.	in may 2016, an outbreak of shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli o157 infections occurred among children who had played in a stream flowing through a park. analysis of e. coli isolates from the patients, stream water, and deer and coyote scat showed that feces from deer were the most likely source of contamination.	2017	28628436
genotyping and comparative pathology of spirocerca in black-backed jackals (canis mesomelas) in south africa.	the pathology of spirocercosis, a disease caused by the infestation of carnivores with the nematode spirocerca lupi, has been extensively described in domestic dogs and coyotes. however, it has not been described in wild carnivores in south africa. the aim of this study was to evaluate whether black-backed jackals are a host for spirocerca species and to provide a detailed description of the associated pathology. jackals were also stratified according to age and the spirocerca species recovered ...	2017	28814297
all about neosporosis in brazil.	neospora caninum is protozoan parasite with domestic and wild dogs, coyotes and grey wolves as the definitive hosts and many warm-blooded animals as intermediate hosts. it was cultivated and named in 1988. neosporosis is a major disease of cattle and has no public health significance. since 1990's n. caninum has emerged as a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide, including in brazil. n. caninum also causes clinical infections in several other animal species. considerable progress has been ...	2017	28876360
studies of wolf x coyote hybridization via artificial insemination.	following the production of western gray wolf (canis lupus) x western coyote (canis latrans) hybrids via artificial insemination (ai), the present article documents that the hybrids survived in captivity for at least 4 years and successfully bred with each other. it further reports that backcrossing one of the hybrids to a male gray wolf by ai also resulted in the birth of live pups that have survived for at least 10 months. all male hybrids (f1 and f2) produced sperm by about 10 months of age, ...	2017	28863171
mammal diversity and metacommunity dynamics in urban green spaces: implications for urban wildlife conservation.	as urban growth expands and natural environments fragment, it is essential to understand the ecological roles fulfilled by urban green spaces. to evaluate how urban green spaces function as wildlife habitat, we estimated mammal diversity and metacommunity dynamics in city parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and natural areas throughout the greater chicago, il, usa region. we found similar α-diversity (with the exception of city parks), but remarkably dissimilar communities in different urban green ...	2017	28833978
green tree frog (hyla cinerea) and ground squirrel (xerospermophilus spilosoma) mortality attributed to inland brevetoxin transportation at padre island national seashore, texas, 2015.	on 16 september 2015, a red tide (karenia brevis) bloom impacted coastal areas of padre island national seashore park. two days later and about 0.9 km inland, 30-40 adult green tree frogs (hyla cinerea) were found dead after displaying tremors, weakness, labored breathing, and other signs of neurologic impairment. a rainstorm, accompanied by high winds, rough surf, and high tides, which could have aerosolized brevetoxin, occurred on the morning of the mortality event. frog carcasses were healthy ...	2017	28829928
panmixia and limited interspecific introgression in coyotes (canis latrans) from west virginia and virginia, usa.	the expansion of coyotes (canis latrans) into the eastern united states has had major consequences for ecological communities and wildlife managers. despite this, there has been little investigation of the genetics of coyotes across much of this region, especially outside of the northeast. understanding patterns of genetic structure and interspecific introgression would provide insights into the colonization history of the species, its response to the modern environment, and interactions with ot ...	2017	28821188
using an emergency department syndromic surveillance system to evaluate reporting of potential rabies exposures, illinois, 2013-2015.	mandatory reporting of potential rabies exposures and initiation of postexposure prophylaxis (pep) allow local health authorities to monitor pep administration for errors. our objectives were to use an emergency department (ed) syndromic surveillance system to (1) estimate reporting compliance for exposure to rabies in suburban cook county, illinois, and (2) initiate interventions to improve reporting and reassess compliance.	2017	28692394
winter bait stations as a multispecies survey tool.	winter bait stations are becoming a commonly used technique for multispecies inventory and monitoring but a technical evaluation of their effectiveness is lacking. bait stations have three components: carcass attractant, remote camera, and hair snare. our 22,975 km(2) mountainous study area was stratified with a 5 × 5 km sampling grid centered on northern idaho and including portions of washington, montana, and british columbia. from 2010-14, we conducted 563 sampling sessions at 497 bait statio ...	2017	28904763
quantity discrimination in canids: dogs (canis familiaris) and wolves (canis lupus) compared.	accumulating evidence indicates that animals are able to discriminate between quantities. recent studies have shown that dogs' and coyotes' ability to discriminate between quantities of food items decreases with increasing numerical ratio. conversely, wolves' performance is not affected by numerical ratio. cross-species comparisons are difficult because of differences in the methodologies employed, and hence it is still unclear whether domestication altered quantitative abilities in canids. here ...	2017	28899810
seed dispersal of diospyros virginiana in the past and the present: evidence for a generalist evolutionary strategy.	several north american trees are hypothesized to have lost their co-evolved seed disperser during the late-pleistocene extinction and are therefore considered anachronistic. we tested this hypothesis for the american persimmon (diospyros virginiana) by studying the effects of gut passage of proposed seed dispersers on seedling survival and growth, natural fruiting characteristics, and modern animal consumption patterns. we tested gut passage effects on persimmon seeds using three native living s ...	2017	28616198
retrospective evaluation of coyote attacks in dogs: 154 cases (1997-2012).	to describe the clinical presentation and outcome of known attacks in client-owned dogs caused by the common coyote, canis latrans.	2017	28420038
isotopic ecology of coyotes from scat and road kill carcasses: a complementary approach to feeding experiments.	scat is frequently used to study animal diets because it is easy to find and collect, but one concern is that gross fecal analysis (gfa) techniques exaggerate the importance of small-bodied prey to mammalian mesopredator diets. to capitalize on the benefits of scat, we suggest the analysis of scat carbon and nitrogen isotope values (δ13c and δ15n). this technique offers researchers a non-invasive method to gather short-term dietary information. we conducted three interrelated studies to validate ...	2017	28369133
decoding group vocalizations: the acoustic energy distribution of chorus howls is useful to determine wolf reproduction.	population monitoring is crucial for wildlife management and conservation. in the last few decades, wildlife researchers have increasingly applied bioacoustics tools to obtain information on several essential ecological parameters, such as distribution and abundance. one such application involves wolves (canis lupus). these canids respond to simulated howls by emitting group vocalizations known as chorus howls. these responses to simulated howls reveal the presence of wolf litters during the bre ...	2016	27144887
admixture mapping identifies introgressed genomic regions in north american canids.	hybrid zones typically contain novel gene combinations that can be tested by natural selection in a unique genetic context. parental haplotypes that increase fitness can introgress beyond the hybrid zone, into the range of parental species. we used the affymetrix canine snp genotyping array to identify genomic regions tagged by multiple ancestry informative markers that are more frequent in an admixed population than expected. we surveyed a hybrid zone formed in the last 100 years as coyotes exp ...	2016	27106273
ancient hybrid origin of the eastern wolf not yet off the table: a comment on rutledge et al. (2015).	a recent study of north american canids by rutledge et al. (biol. lett. 11, 20150303 (doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0303)) refutes the hypothesized hybrid origin of the eastern wolf (ew) based on genomic evidence against very recent hybridization. however, the analyses do not rule out the possibility of more ancient hybridization. claims to have resolved the evolutionary origin of the ew are therefore inappropriate. importantly, though, we plead that uncertainty about the ancient history of the taxon sh ...	2016	26843554
space use and habitat selection by resident and transient red wolves (canis rufus).	recovery of large carnivores remains a challenge because complex spatial dynamics that facilitate population persistence are poorly understood. in particular, recovery of the critically endangered red wolf (canis rufus) has been challenging because of its vulnerability to extinction via human-caused mortality and hybridization with coyotes (canis latrans). therefore, understanding red wolf space use and habitat selection is important to assist recovery because key aspects of wolf ecology such as ...	2016	28002495
the origin of the lower fourth molar in canids, inferred by individual variation.	an increase in tooth number is an exception during mammalian evolution. the acquisition of the lower fourth molar in the bat-eared fox (otocyon megalotis, canidae, carnivora, mammalia) is one example; however, its developmental origin is not clear. in some canids (canidae), individual variation exist as supernumerary molar m4. this study focuses on the acquisition of the lower fourth molar in canids and proposes that the inhibitory cascade model can explain its origin.	2016	27843722
phase-dependent climate-predator interactions explain three decades of variation in neonatal caribou survival.	climate can have direct and indirect effects on population dynamics via changes in resource competition or predation risk, but this influence may be modulated by density- or phase-dependent processes. we hypothesized that for ungulates, climatic conditions close to parturition have a greater influence on the predation risk of neonates during population declines, when females are already under nutritional stress triggered by food limitation. we examined the presence of phase-dependent climate-pre ...	2016	26529139
disentangling canid howls across multiple species and subspecies: structure in a complex communication channel.	wolves, coyotes, and other canids are members of a diverse genus of top predators of considerable conservation and management interest. canid howls are long-range communication signals, used both for territorial defence and group cohesion. previous studies have shown that howls can encode individual and group identity. however, no comprehensive study has investigated the nature of variation in canid howls across the wide range of species. we analysed a database of over 2000 howls recorded from 1 ...	2016	26809021
nutritional effects on reproductive performance of captive adult female coyotes (canis latrans).	interactions between animals and their environment are fundamental to ecological research. field studies of coyote (canis latrans) reproductive performance suggest mean litter size changes in response to prey abundance. however, this relationship has been assessed primarily by using carcasses collected from trappers. the objective of this study was to assess whether nutritional manipulation prior to mating affected reproduction in adult female coyotes. we examined the effects of caloric restrict ...	2016	26763531
data from camera surveys identifying co-occurrence and occupancy linkages between fishers (pekania pennanti), rodent prey, mesocarnivores, and larger predators in mixed-conifer forests.	these data provide additional information relevant to the frequency of fisher detections by camera traps, and single-season occupancy and local persistence of fishers in small patches of forest habitats detailed elsewhere, "landscape fuel reduction, forest fire, and biophysical linkages to local habitat use and local persistence of fishers (pekania pennanti) in sierra nevada mixed-conifer forests" [10]. the data provides insight on camera trap detections of 3 fisher predators (bobcat [lynx rufus ...	2016	26937448
one health interactions of chagas disease vectors, canid hosts, and human residents along the texas-mexico border.	chagas disease (trypanosoma cruzi infection) is the leading cause of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in latin america. texas, particularly the southern region, has compounding factors that could contribute to t. cruzi transmission; however, epidemiologic studies are lacking. the aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of t. cruzi in three different mammalian species (coyotes, stray domestic dogs, and humans) and vectors (triatoma species) to understand the burden of chagas disease ...	2016	27832063
high trypanosoma cruzi infection prevalence associated with minimal cardiac pathology among wild carnivores in central texas.	infection with the zoonotic vector-borne protozoal parasite trypanosoma cruzi causes chagas disease in humans and dogs throughout the americas. despite the recognized importance of various wildlife species for perpetuating trypanosoma cruzi in nature, relatively little is known about the development of cardiac disease in infected wildlife. using a cross-sectional study design, we collected cardiac tissue and blood from hunter-donated wildlife carcasses- including raccoon (procyon lotor), coyote ...	2016	27330982
bait development for oral delivery of pharmaceuticals to raccoons (procyon lotor) and striped skunks (mephitis mephitis).	oral vaccination is one tool used to control wildlife diseases. a challenge to oral vaccination is identifying baits specific to target species. the us has been conducting oral vaccination against rabies since the 1990s. improvements in bait development will hasten disease elimination. in colorado, we examined a novel bait for oral vaccination and offered two different flavors, sweet and fish, to captive raccoons ( procyon lotor ) and striped skunks ( mephitis mephitis ) to assess consumption an ...	2016	27505038
a two-species occupancy model accommodating simultaneous spatial and interspecific dependence.	occupancy models are popular for estimating the probability a site is occupied by a species of interest when detection is imperfect. occupancy models have been extended to account for interacting species and spatial dependence but cannot presently allow both factors to act simultaneously. we propose a two-species occupancy model that accommodates both interspecific and spatial dependence. we use a point-referenced multivariate hierarchical spatial model to account for both spatial and interspeci ...	2016	27008774
the effect of terrain and female density on survival of neonatal white-tailed deer and mule deer fawns.	juvenile survival is a highly variable life-history trait that is critical to population growth. antipredator tactics, including an animal's use of its physical and social environment, are critical to juvenile survival. here, we tested the hypothesis that habitat and social characteristics influence coyote (canis latrans) predation on white-tailed deer (odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (o. hemionus) fawns in similar ways during the neonatal period. this would contrast to winter when the hab ...	2016	27386083
olfactory attractants and parity affect prenatal androgens and territoriality of coyote breeding pairs.	hormones are fundamental mediators of personality traits intimately linked with reproductive success. hence, alterations to endocrine factors may dramatically affect individual behavior that has subsequent fitness consequences. yet it is unclear how hormonal or behavioral traits change with environmental stressors or over multiple reproductive opportunities, particularly for biparental fauna. to simulate an environmental stressor, we exposed captive coyote (canis latrans) pairs to novel coyote o ...	2016	27378509
variable duration of reproductive suppression in male coyotes (canis latrans) treated with a high dose of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist deslorelin.	effective and humane management strategies for coyotes (canis latrans) remain elusive. we hypothesised that exposure to a high dose of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (gnrh) agonist would cause prolonged suppression of the reproductive axis. two groups of male coyotes were administered 47 mg deslorelin in the form of either five 9.4-mg controlled-release suprelorin (peptech animal health, macquarie park nsw, australia) implants (n = 3) or 10 4.7-mg implants (n = 5). in the first group, deslore ...	2016	27161891
urban compost attracts coyotes, contains toxins, and may promote disease in urban-adapted wildlife.	anthropogenic food is often concentrated in cities where it can attract wildlife, promote conflict with people, and potentially spread disease. although these associations are well-documented for conventional garbage, they are unexplored for many seemingly innocuous and even environmentally friendly attractants such as piles of compost. in this study, we tested the hypothesis that municipal piles of compost are underappreciated and potentially important contributors to a recent rise in encounter ...	2016	27106524
mitochondrial dna variation in southeastern pre-columbian canids.	the taxonomic status of the red wolf (canis rufus) is heavily debated, but could be clarified by examining historic specimens from the southeastern united states. we analyzed mitochondrial dna (mtdna) from 3 ancient (350-1900 year olds) putative wolf samples excavated from middens and sinkholes within the historic red wolf range. we detected 3 unique mtdna haplotypes, which grouped with the coyote mtdna clade, suggesting that the canids inhabiting southeastern north america prior to human coloni ...	2016	26774058
[subcutaneous taenia crassiceps-cysticercosis in a dog with cushing's syndrome].	a male, 12-year-old cairn terrier suffering from cushing's syndrome with two therapy-resistant inflammatory subcutaneous lesions was examined pathomorphologically and parasitologically. within the subcutaneous tissue, there was a suppurative to necrotizing and histiocytic inflammation present with the formation of caverns. intralesional whitish-grey cysts with a diameter of 1-4 mm were detected. molecular investigations of the cysts confirmed the preliminary morphological identification as cysti ...	2016	26763526
antibody detection and molecular characterization of toxoplasma gondii from bobcats (lynx rufus), domestic cats (felis catus), and wildlife from minnesota, usa.	little is known of the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in minnesota. here, we evaluated toxoplasma gondii infection in 50 wild bobcats (lynx rufus) and 75 other animals on/near 10 cattle farms. antibodies to t. gondii were assayed in serum samples or tissue fluids by the modified agglutination test (mat, cut-off 1:25). twenty nine of 50 bobcats and 15 of 41 wildlife trapped on the vicinity of 10 farms and nine of 16 adult domestic cats (felis catus) and six of 14 domestic dogs resident on farms we ...	2016	26824935
bartonella rochalimae and b. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii in wild carnivores from colorado, usa.	spleen samples from 292 wild carnivores from colorado, us were screened for bartonella infection. bartonella dna was detected in coyotes ( canis latrans ) (28%), striped skunks ( mephitis mephitis ) (23%), red foxes ( vulpes vulpes ) (27%), and raccoons ( procyon lotor ) (8%) but not in black bears ( ursus americanus ), gray foxes ( urocyon cinereoargenteus ), and mountain lions ( puma concolor ). two bartonella species, b. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and b. rochalimae, were identified. all 10 in ...	2016	27529290
effect of storage time and storage conditions on antibody detection in blood samples collected on filter paper.	using filter paper to collect blood from wildlife for antibody analysis can be a powerful technique to simplify the collection, transport, and storage of blood samples. despite these advantages, there are limited data that detail how long these samples can be stored and how storage conditions affect antibody longevity. we used blood samples collected on filter paper from coyotes experimentally infected with yersinia pestis to determine optimum sample storage conditions over time. blood samples c ...	2016	27187032
eco-epizootiologic study of francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia, in québec wildlife.	in canada, francisella tularensis , the zoonotic bacterial agent of tularemia, affects mostly snowshoe hares ( lepus americanus ), muskrats ( ondatra zibethicus ), and beavers ( castor canadensis ). despite numerous studies, the ecologic cycle and natural reservoirs of f. tularensis are not clearly defined. we conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of f. tularensis in snowshoe hares, muskrats, and coyotes ( canis latrans ) in four regions of québec, canada, and to describe ...	2016	26967133
gastrointestinal helminths of coyotes (canis latrans) from southeast nebraska and shenandoah area of iowa.	this survey was carried out on the carcasses of 29 coyotes from southeastern nebraska and shenandoah area of iowa to document the helminths present in the intestinal track of these carnivorous animals.	2016	27733798
evaluation by latent class analysis of a magnetic capture based dna extraction followed by real-time qpcr as a new diagnostic method for detection of echinococcus multilocularis in definitive hosts.	a new method, based on a magnetic capture based dna extraction followed by qpcr, was developed for the detection of the zoonotic parasite echinococcus multilocularis in definitive hosts. latent class analysis was used to compare this new method with the currently used phenol-chloroform dna extraction followed by single tube nested pcr. in total, 60 red foxes and coyotes from three different locations were tested with both molecular methods and the sedimentation and counting technique (sct) or in ...	2016	27884437
prevalence, genetic analyses, and risk factors associated with heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) in wild coyotes (canis latrans) from florida, usa.	we detected heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) in 37.2% of 212 coyotes ( canis latrans ) collected from 28 counties in florida, us, between february 2010 and april 2014. adult coyotes had a higher prevalence (45.6% of 103) than juveniles (29% of 80), and there was no significant difference in prevalence between adult male and female coyotes. adults demonstrated a higher prevalence of heartworm in northern counties (56% of 91) than in southern counties (23.1% of 121) and a higher prevalence in urban ...	2016	27458831
seroprevalence of neospora caninum in feral swine (sus scrofa) in the united states.	the protozoon neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. canids (canis familiaris, canis latrans, canis lupus) are definitive hosts whereas many other animal species, including pigs, are intermediate hosts for the parasite. between 2012 and 2014, serum samples from 1059 feral swine (sus scrofa) from 29 states of the usa were tested for n. caninum antibodies, using the n. caninum agglutination test (nat). of these, 159 (15.0%) feral pigs from 21 states tested positive, wit ...	2016	27514880
describing a developing hybrid zone between red wolves and coyotes in eastern north carolina, usa.	when hybridizing species come into contact, understanding the processes that regulate their interactions can help predict the future outcome of the system. this is especially relevant in conservation situations where human activities can influence hybridization dynamics. we investigated a developing hybrid zone between red wolves and coyotes in north carolina, usa to elucidate patterns of hybridization in a system heavily managed for preservation of the red wolf genome. using noninvasive genetic ...	2016	27330555
canine distemper virus in wild felids of costa rica.	several highly infectious diseases can be transmitted through feces and cause elevated mortality among carnivore species. one such infectious agent, canine distemper virus (cdv; paramyxoviridae: morbillivirus), has been reported to affect wild carnivores, among them several felid species. we screened free-ranging and captive wild carnivores in costa rica for cdv. between 2006 and 2012, we collected 306 fecal samples from 70 jaguars (panther onca), 71 ocelots ( leopardus pardalis ), five jaguarun ...	2016	26967127
a duplex real-time pcr assay based on taqman technology for simultaneous detection and differentiation of canine adenovirus types 1 and 2.	canine adenoviruses are a major cause of disease in dogs, coyotes, red foxes and wolves, as well as in other carnivores and marine mammals. canine adenovirus type 1 (cadv-1) and canine adenovirus type 2 (cadv-2) cause infectious canine hepatitis (ich) and infectious tracheobronchitis (itb), respectively. in this study, a duplex real-time pcr assay for simultaneous detection and characterisation of cadv-1 and cadv-2 was developed by using a single primer pair and virus-specific probes. the assay ...	2016	27040113