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The first record of Cuon alpinus (Pallas, 1811) from Poland and the possible impact of other large canids on the evolution of the species
Author(s) -
Marciszak Adrian,
Kropczyk Aleksandra,
Lipecki Grzegorz
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of quaternary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.142
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1099-1417
pISSN - 0267-8179
DOI - 10.1002/jqs.3340
Subject(s) - canis , range (aeronautics) , ecology , biology , competition (biology) , gray wolf , limiting , zoology , geography , mechanical engineering , materials science , engineering , composite material
The presence of Cuon alpinus in Poland is documented here for the first time. Between 650 and 450 ka, Lycaon lycaonoides dominated the open lands, while Cuon alpinus priscus tended to prefer forests, mountains and highlands. Canis mosbachensis coexisted in all these environments. Between 480 and 430 ka, there was a drastic reduction in the number and range of L. lycaonoides . The balance between canids was disturbed and a critical point in the lycaon–wolf relationship was passed. Probably between 450 and 400 ka, the lycaon was too rare to be a real competitor and a limiting factor for the wolf. It was also at this time that the lycaon disappeared completely. With disappearance of the lycaon from Eurasia, there was a slow increase in the body size of the wolf. Between 400 and 300 ka, the dhole and the wolf were still close in body size, but the wolf was slowly increasing in size. Between 300 and 250 ka, the wolf became the dominant dog species and took a niche occupied until then by the lycaon. Because of competition, C . alpinus decreased in body size and adapted to hunting and living in forest, mountain and highland environments.