- April 25, 2016
- Source:
- Pensoft Publishers
- Summary:
- Although the Himalayan wolf is visibly distinct from its European cousin, its current distribution has mostly been a matter of assumption, rather than evident truth. Being the most ancient wolf lineage, known to science, its status has been assigned as Critically Endangered. Now, an international research team report the wolf from Nepal's largest protected area, thus proving its existence in the region.
A pair of Himalayan wolves in their natural habitat.
Credit: Madhu Chetri; CC-BY 4.0
Although the Himalayan wolf is visibly
distinct from its European cousin, its current distribution has mostly
been a matter of assumption, rather than evident truth. The most ancient
wolf lineage, known to science, has been listed as Critically
Endangered in the National Red List.
Now, an international research team, led by Madhu Chetri, graduate
student at the Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Norway, report
the wolf from Nepal's largest protected area, thus confirming its
existence in the country. Their findings are published in the open
access journal ZooKeys.
When compared to the European wolf, this one stands out with its smaller size, unusually longer muzzle and stumpy legs. Another clearly distinctive feature is the white colouration around the throat, chest, belly and inner part of the limbs. On the other hand, its characteristic woolly body fur has given the subspecies the common name 'woolly wolf'.
However, the distinctiveness of the Himalayan wolf is far more than skin-deep. The authors note that recent studies have already revealed that these wolves have split as a separate branch within the 'tree of life' so long ago that they are divergent from the whole globally distributed wolf-dog clade. Having undergone such an isolated evolution, the Himalayan wolf is considered of particular conservation concern.
However, the populations are still suffering heavy mortality. As a part of their research, the authors conducted both formal and informal interviews with about four hundred local herders, livestock owners, nomads and village elite to find out more about the status of the human-wolf conflict, as well as their attitudes and perceptions. As a result, they found out that the wolves are considered to pose a threat for the local livelihoods. They were persecuted and killed as a means of depredation.
"These genetically distinct Himalayan wolves deserve special conservation attention, at the same time that the conservation of this species in a context of human-wildlife conflict is challenging," conclude the scientists. "A species action plan needs be formulated that develops mechanisms to minimize conflict, and strategies for motivating local communities towards wolf conservation."
When compared to the European wolf, this one stands out with its smaller size, unusually longer muzzle and stumpy legs. Another clearly distinctive feature is the white colouration around the throat, chest, belly and inner part of the limbs. On the other hand, its characteristic woolly body fur has given the subspecies the common name 'woolly wolf'.
However, the distinctiveness of the Himalayan wolf is far more than skin-deep. The authors note that recent studies have already revealed that these wolves have split as a separate branch within the 'tree of life' so long ago that they are divergent from the whole globally distributed wolf-dog clade. Having undergone such an isolated evolution, the Himalayan wolf is considered of particular conservation concern.
However, the populations are still suffering heavy mortality. As a part of their research, the authors conducted both formal and informal interviews with about four hundred local herders, livestock owners, nomads and village elite to find out more about the status of the human-wolf conflict, as well as their attitudes and perceptions. As a result, they found out that the wolves are considered to pose a threat for the local livelihoods. They were persecuted and killed as a means of depredation.
"These genetically distinct Himalayan wolves deserve special conservation attention, at the same time that the conservation of this species in a context of human-wildlife conflict is challenging," conclude the scientists. "A species action plan needs be formulated that develops mechanisms to minimize conflict, and strategies for motivating local communities towards wolf conservation."
Story Source:
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. The original story is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. The original story is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
- Madhu Chetri, Yadvendradev Jhala, Shant Raj Jnawali, Naresh Subedi, Maheshwar Dhakal, Bibek Yumnam. Ancient Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) lineage in Upper Mustang of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. ZooKeys, 2016; 582: 143 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.582.5966
Pensoft
Publishers. "Critically endangered and ancient Himalayan wolf needs
global conservation attention." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 April
2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160425112649.htm>.
No comments:
Post a Comment