Comparative genomics provides new insights into the remarkable adaptations of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Chávez, Daniel; Gronau, Ilan; Hains, Taylor; Kliver, Sergei; Koepfli, Klaus‐Peter; Wayne, Robert K.

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-44772-5

Cited by 29 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…As knowledge of the fossil history of hypercarnivorous canids in the Plio-Pleistocene of Eurasia increases, more complexity than has been previously assumed is now emerging, both in its chronology and its morphologic diversity. Recent molecular studies placed Cuon and Lycaon, two of the most hypercarnivorous living canids, near the base of the Canis clade (Chavez et al, 2019;Koepfli et al, 2015;Lindblad-Toh et al, 2005), in contrast to morphological analysis suggesting that hypercarnivorous forms are at the terminal end of the canine phylogeny (Tedford, Taylor & Wang, 1995;Tedford, Wang & Taylor, 2009). If the molecular relationship is correct, then records of Cuon and Lycaon are expected to be at least as old, if not older, than that of many species of Canis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypercarnivorous teeth and healed injuries toCanis chihliensisfrom Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, China, support social hunting for ancestral wolves

Tong

Chen

Zhang

et al. 2020

PeerJ

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Collaborative hunting by complex social groups is a hallmark of large dogs (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae), whose teeth also tend to be hypercarnivorous, specialized toward increased cutting edges for meat consumption and robust p4-m1 complex for cracking bone. The deep history of canid pack hunting is, however, obscure because behavioral evidence is rarely preserved in fossils. Dated to the Early Pleistocene (>1.2 Ma), Canis chihliensis from the Nihewan Basin of northern China is one of the earliest canines to feature a large body size and hypercarnivorous dentition. We present the first known record of dental infection in C. chihliensis, likely inflicted by processing hard food, such as bone. Another individual also suffered a displaced fracture of its tibia and, despite such an incapacitating injury, survived the trauma to heal. The long period required for healing the compound fracture is consistent with social hunting and family care (food-sharing) although alternative explanations exist. Comparison with abundant paleopathological records of the putatively pack-hunting Late Pleistocene dire wolf, Canis dirus, at the Rancho La Brea asphalt seeps in southern California, U.S.A., suggests similarity in feeding behavior and sociality between Chinese and American Canis across space and time. Pack hunting in Canis may be traced back to the Early Pleistocene, well before the appearance of modern wolves, but additional evidence is needed for confirmation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypercarnivorous teeth and healed injuries toCanis chihliensisfrom Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, China, support social hunting for ancestral wolves

Tong

Chen

Zhang

et al. 2020

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As knowledge of the fossil history of hypercarnivorous canids in the Plio-Pleistocene of Eurasia increases, more complexity than has been previously assumed is now emerging, both in its chronology and its morphologic diversity. Recent molecular studies placed Cuon and Lycaon, two of the most hypercarnivorous living canids, near the base of the Canis clade (Chavez et al 2019;Koepfli et al 2015;Lindblad-Toh et al 2005), in contrast to morphological analysis suggesting that hypercarnivorous forms are at the terminal end of the canine phylogeny (Tedford et al 1995;Tedford et al 2009). If the molecular relationship is correct, then records of Cuon and Lycaon are expected to be at least as old, if not older, than that of many species of Canis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Hypercarnivorous teeth and healed injuries to Canis chihliensis from Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, China, support social hunting for ancestral wolves (v0.1)"

Meachen¹

2020

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Collaborative hunting by complex social groups is a hallmark of large dogs (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae), whose teeth also tend to be hypercarnivorous, specialized toward increased cutting edges for meat consumption and robust p4-m1 complex for cracking bone. The deep history of canid pack hunting is, however, obscure because behavioral evidence is rarely preserved in fossils. Dated to the early Pleistocene (~1.2 Ma), Canis chihliensis from the Nihewan Basin of northern China is one of the earliest canines to feature a large body size and hypercarnivorous dentition. We present the first known record of dental infection in C. chihliensis, likely inflicted by processing hard food, such as bone. Another individual also suffered a displaced fracture of its tibia and, despite such an incapacitating injury, survived the trauma to heal. The long period required for healing the compound fracture is consistent with social hunting and family care (food-sharing) although alternative explanations exist. Comparison with abundant paleopathological records of the putatively pack-hunting late Pleistocene dire wolf, Canis dirus, at the Rancho La Brea asphalt seeps in southern California, U.S.A., suggests similarity in feeding behavior and sociality between Chinese and American Canis across space and time. Pack hunting in Canis may be traced back to the early Pleistocene, well before the appearance of modern wolves, but additional evidence is needed for confirmation.

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“…The subsequent reduction of the first digit in the Lycaon lineage evolved shortly thereafter, alongside dental adaptations for hypercarnivory (Martinez-Navarro et al, 2003;Hartstone-Rose, 2010). A recent study on L. pictus genomics identified several genes associated with digit I loss (Chavez et al, 2019). Digit reduction in L. pictus develops through apoptosis of the first digit during embryonic development, specifically via a pathway that generally regulates apoptosis of interdigital tissue = (Chavez et al, 2019).…”

Section: Manuscript To Be Reviewedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…. The absence of a first digit in L. pictus has been argued to facilitate increased speed and stride length (Creel and Creel, 2002;Chavez et al, 2019). The vestigial digit I of L. pictus lacks a claw and thus cannot grip the substrate during locomotion; however, the muscles associated with digit I may provide additional stability to the forefoot during endurance running.…”

Section: Vestigial Digit Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Adaptations to cursoriality and digit reduction in the forelimb of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) (v0.1)"

Ramoni¹

2020

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Background. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), an endangered canid native to southern and eastern Africa, is distinct among canids in being described as entirely tetradactyl and in its nomadic lifestyle and use of exhaustive predation to capture its prey instead of speed, strength, or stealth. These behavioral and morphological traits suggest a potentially unique set of adaptations. Methods. Here, we dissected the forelimbs of an adult male L. pictus specimen and performed detailed descriptions and quantitative analyses of the musculoskeletal anatomy. Results. Statistical comparisons of muscle masses and volumes revealed that L. pictus has relatively smaller wrist rotators (mm. pronator teres, pronators quadratus, supinator) than any other included carnivoran taxon, suggesting adaptive pressures for antebrachial stability over rotatory movement in the carpus of L. pictus. While a complete digit I is absent in L. pictus, a vestigial first metacarpal was discovered, resulting in changes to insertions of mm. extensor digiti I et II, abductor (et opponens) digiti I, and flexor digiti I brevis. Mm. anconeus, brachialis, and flexor carpi ulnaris caput ulnare all have more extensive origins in L. pictus than other canids suggesting an emphasis on posture and elbow stability. M. triceps brachii caput laterale has a larger origin in L. pictus, and m. triceps brachii caput longum has an additional accessory head. Electromyographic (EMG) studies have shown this muscle is active during the stance phase of trotting and galloping and is important for storing elastic energy during locomotion. We interpret these differences in size and attachments of muscles in L. pictus as adaptations for long distance running in this highly cursorial species, likely important for exhaustive predation. Absence of a full digit I in L pictus may increase speed and stride length; however, the retention of a vestigial digit permits the attachment of reduced pollical muscles which may provide additional stability and proprioception to the carpus.

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Comparative genomics provides new insights into the remarkable adaptations of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Cited by 29 publications

References 98 publications

Hypercarnivorous teeth and healed injuries toCanis chihliensisfrom Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, China, support social hunting for ancestral wolves

Hypercarnivorous teeth and healed injuries toCanis chihliensisfrom Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, China, support social hunting for ancestral wolves

Peer Review #1 of "Hypercarnivorous teeth and healed injuries to Canis chihliensis from Early Pleistocene Nihewan beds, China, support social hunting for ancestral wolves (v0.1)"

Peer Review #1 of "Adaptations to cursoriality and digit reduction in the forelimb of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) (v0.1)"

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