Archaeologists have favored a date of 14,000-15,000 years before present (BP) for canine domestication. However, recent studies of mutations in the mitochondrial DNA sequence by molecular geneticists have implied that dogs were domesticated over 100,000 years ago, which has challenged traditional theory. Geneticists have further hypothesized that dogs originated from wolf ancestors based upon the number of substitutions observed in dog and wolf haplotypes. Although both disciplines provide substantial evidence for their theories, the origin of dog domestication remains controversial. Several areas continue to be debatable. First, both geneticists and archaeologists incorrectly use the term domestication to describe events that clearly can not be proven to under human control. Second, the evolutionary development of canines is viewed by molecular biologists as well as archaeologist to be indicators of domestication without any further exploration of other probable causes. Third, the studies in canine genetics are so complex that most archaeologists have difficulty in providing evidence that would be contradictory to molecular theory. Fourth, both fields of study continually ignore innate behavioral characteristics of wolves that would make domestication highly improbable. Fifth, geneticists rely heavily on data gathered from sequencing of mitochondrial DNA, which has been assumed to maternally inherited. However recent human studies have shown that this assumption has now been proven to be incorrect. And finally, not only are morphological traits of fossilized dogs and wolves so similar that making a taxonomic identification improbable, but also the amount of archaeological remains available are too sparse and fragmented for accurate affiliation. An alternate theory of canine domestication will be proposed utilizing data gathered from the archaeological record and molecular research. I hypothesize that dogs diverged naturally from wolves 100,000 years ago as a result of the natural course of evolution, not human intervention, and had already evolved into a dog prior to being domesticated by humans 14,000-15,000 years ago. Evidence will be presented to clearly show that this hypothesis is a more accurate scenario of canine domestication.

A ocitocina tem sido usada como parâmetro para medir os laços sociais em animais. Recentemente foi demonstrado que a concentração de ocitocina aumenta em cães e donos quando interagem positivamente e, possivelmente, que na interação com crianças e adultos, cães fêmeas são mais afetivas do que os cães machos. Objetivo: determinar se existe diferença nos níveis séricos de ocitocina e no comportamento afetivo de cães machos e fêmeas, quando interagem com crianças e adultos. Método: foi realizado um estudo experimental, com 6 machos e 6 fêmeas da raça Beagle, pertencentes ao Laboratório de Ensino de Zootecnia (LEZO) da Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Antes da interação foi colhido sangue para determinação da ocitocina basal dos cães. O teste foi filmado durante 3 minutos para posterior análise dos comportamentos caninos, enquanto os animais estiveram em contato com uma menina, fechados em uma sala, um após o outro, intercalando machos e fêmeas, sucessivamente. Retirados do local, voltaram as suas baias, e após 10 minutos foi feita nova coleta de sangue. Para determinação dos valores de ocitocina séricos será utilizado o Oxytocin ELISA kit ADI-900-153A-0001 da Assay Designs. As dosagens séricas de ocitocina serão testadas para normalidade e igualdade de variância e, se de distribuição normal, avaliadas pelo teste t de Student. As interações entre cachorros e participantes foram registradas ao longo de180 segundos por uma câmera de vídeo colocada no centro do teto da sala de teste. A partir de um etograma previamente determinado foi feita uma análise das gravações. Latência, frequência e duração total dos comportamentos foram medidas, utilizando um sistema de medição baseado no tempo. Resultados: após análise, entre os 15 comportamentos, apenas a latência para intenção de contato e comportamento de fuga foram significativamente diferentes entre machos e fêmeas, p de 0,03 e 0,003, respectivamente. Todos os demais não demonstraram diferenças estatísticas significativas. Segundo a análise subjetiva dos pesquisadores, fêmeas se mostraram mais dóceis com crianças do que machos. Os ensaios para ocitocina sérica não puderam ser realizados. Conclusão: Análise do comportamento demonstrou que em dois parâmetros as fêmeas tiveram interação mais prazerosa com a criança. Após a dosagem da ocitocina, esta conclusão poderá ser corroborada. / Oxytocin has been used to measure social bonds in animals. Recently it has been shown that oxytocin concentration increases in dogs and owners when interacting positively. It is expected that during interaction with children and adults, female dogs are more affective than male dogs, resulting and the augmentation of serum oxytocin levels. Objective: To determine if there is a difference in serum oxytocin levels and affiliative behavior in male and female dogs when interacting with children and adults. Methods: an experimental study was done, with 12 Beagles, 6 males and 6 females, belonging to the Laboratory of Animal Education (LEZO) of the Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Prior to the interaction, blood was collected for determination of basal oxytocin in dogs. The test was filmed for 3 minutes for further analysis of canine behavior, while the animals were in contact with a girl, closed in a room, one after the other, intercalating males and females, successively. After this period, they returned their stalls, and 10 minutes later, the blood was drawned again. For determination of serum oxytocin values the Oxytocin ELISA kit ADI-900- 153A-0001 from Assay Designs will be used. Serum oxytocin dosages will be tested for normality and equality of variance and, if normal distributed, evaluated by the Student t test. Interactions between dogs and participants were recorded over 180 seconds by a video camera placed in the center of the test room ceiling. From an ethogram previously determined by the researchers, an analysis of the recordings was made. Latency, frequency and total duration of behaviors were measured using a timebased measurement system. Results: after 15 behaviors analyses, only latency for intention of contact (p=0.03) and escape behavior (p=0.003) were significantly different between males and females. Other behaviors did not show significant statistical differences. According to the researchers' subjective analysis, females were more docile with children than males. Serum oxytocin assays could not be performed. Conclusion: Behavioral analysis showed that in two parameters females had a more pleasant interaction with the child. After the dosage of oxytocin, this conclusion can be corroborated.

A ocitocina tem sido usada como parâmetro para medir os laços sociais em animais. Recentemente foi demonstrado que a concentração de ocitocina aumenta em cães e donos quando interagem positivamente e, possivelmente, que na interação com crianças e adultos, cães fêmeas são mais afetivas do que os cães machos. Objetivo: determinar se existe diferença nos níveis séricos de ocitocina e no comportamento afetivo de cães machos e fêmeas, quando interagem com crianças e adultos. Método: foi realizado um estudo experimental, com 6 machos e 6 fêmeas da raça Beagle, pertencentes ao Laboratório de Ensino de Zootecnia (LEZO) da Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Antes da interação foi colhido sangue para determinação da ocitocina basal dos cães. O teste foi filmado durante 3 minutos para posterior análise dos comportamentos caninos, enquanto os animais estiveram em contato com uma menina, fechados em uma sala, um após o outro, intercalando machos e fêmeas, sucessivamente. Retirados do local, voltaram as suas baias, e após 10 minutos foi feita nova coleta de sangue. Para determinação dos valores de ocitocina séricos será utilizado o Oxytocin ELISA kit ADI-900-153A-0001 da Assay Designs. As dosagens séricas de ocitocina serão testadas para normalidade e igualdade de variância e, se de distribuição normal, avaliadas pelo teste t de Student. As interações entre cachorros e participantes foram registradas ao longo de180 segundos por uma câmera de vídeo colocada no centro do teto da sala de teste. A partir de um etograma previamente determinado foi feita uma análise das gravações. Latência, frequência e duração total dos comportamentos foram medidas, utilizando um sistema de medição baseado no tempo. Resultados: após análise, entre os 15 comportamentos, apenas a latência para intenção de contato e comportamento de fuga foram significativamente diferentes entre machos e fêmeas, p de 0,03 e 0,003, respectivamente. Todos os demais não demonstraram diferenças estatísticas significativas. Segundo a análise subjetiva dos pesquisadores, fêmeas se mostraram mais dóceis com crianças do que machos. Os ensaios para ocitocina sérica não puderam ser realizados. Conclusão: Análise do comportamento demonstrou que em dois parâmetros as fêmeas tiveram interação mais prazerosa com a criança. Após a dosagem da ocitocina, esta conclusão poderá ser corroborada. / Oxytocin has been used to measure social bonds in animals. Recently it has been shown that oxytocin concentration increases in dogs and owners when interacting positively. It is expected that during interaction with children and adults, female dogs are more affective than male dogs, resulting and the augmentation of serum oxytocin levels. Objective: To determine if there is a difference in serum oxytocin levels and affiliative behavior in male and female dogs when interacting with children and adults. Methods: an experimental study was done, with 12 Beagles, 6 males and 6 females, belonging to the Laboratory of Animal Education (LEZO) of the Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Prior to the interaction, blood was collected for determination of basal oxytocin in dogs. The test was filmed for 3 minutes for further analysis of canine behavior, while the animals were in contact with a girl, closed in a room, one after the other, intercalating males and females, successively. After this period, they returned their stalls, and 10 minutes later, the blood was drawned again. For determination of serum oxytocin values the Oxytocin ELISA kit ADI-900- 153A-0001 from Assay Designs will be used. Serum oxytocin dosages will be tested for normality and equality of variance and, if normal distributed, evaluated by the Student t test. Interactions between dogs and participants were recorded over 180 seconds by a video camera placed in the center of the test room ceiling. From an ethogram previously determined by the researchers, an analysis of the recordings was made. Latency, frequency and total duration of behaviors were measured using a timebased measurement system. Results: after 15 behaviors analyses, only latency for intention of contact (p=0.03) and escape behavior (p=0.003) were significantly different between males and females. Other behaviors did not show significant statistical differences. According to the researchers' subjective analysis, females were more docile with children than males. Serum oxytocin assays could not be performed. Conclusion: Behavioral analysis showed that in two parameters females had a more pleasant interaction with the child. After the dosage of oxytocin, this conclusion can be corroborated.

A ocitocina tem sido usada como parâmetro para medir os laços sociais em animais. Recentemente foi demonstrado que a concentração de ocitocina aumenta em cães e donos quando interagem positivamente e, possivelmente, que na interação com crianças e adultos, cães fêmeas são mais afetivas do que os cães machos. Objetivo: determinar se existe diferença nos níveis séricos de ocitocina e no comportamento afetivo de cães machos e fêmeas, quando interagem com crianças e adultos. Método: foi realizado um estudo experimental, com 6 machos e 6 fêmeas da raça Beagle, pertencentes ao Laboratório de Ensino de Zootecnia (LEZO) da Faculdade de Agronomia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Antes da interação foi colhido sangue para determinação da ocitocina basal dos cães. O teste foi filmado durante 3 minutos para posterior análise dos comportamentos caninos, enquanto os animais estiveram em contato com uma menina, fechados em uma sala, um após o outro, intercalando machos e fêmeas, sucessivamente. Retirados do local, voltaram as suas baias, e após 10 minutos foi feita nova coleta de sangue. Para determinação dos valores de ocitocina séricos será utilizado o Oxytocin ELISA kit ADI-900-153A-0001 da Assay Designs. As dosagens séricas de ocitocina serão testadas para normalidade e igualdade de variância e, se de distribuição normal, avaliadas pelo teste t de Student. As interações entre cachorros e participantes foram registradas ao longo de180 segundos por uma câmera de vídeo colocada no centro do teto da sala de teste. A partir de um etograma previamente determinado foi feita uma análise das gravações. Latência, frequência e duração total dos comportamentos foram medidas, utilizando um sistema de medição baseado no tempo. Resultados: após análise, entre os 15 comportamentos, apenas a latência para intenção de contato e comportamento de fuga foram significativamente diferentes entre machos e fêmeas, p de 0,03 e 0,003, respectivamente. Todos os demais não demonstraram diferenças estatísticas significativas. Segundo a análise subjetiva dos pesquisadores, fêmeas se mostraram mais dóceis com crianças do que machos. Os ensaios para ocitocina sérica não puderam ser realizados. Conclusão: Análise do comportamento demonstrou que em dois parâmetros as fêmeas tiveram interação mais prazerosa com a criança. Após a dosagem da ocitocina, esta conclusão poderá ser corroborada. / Oxytocin has been used to measure social bonds in animals. Recently it has been shown that oxytocin concentration increases in dogs and owners when interacting positively. It is expected that during interaction with children and adults, female dogs are more affective than male dogs, resulting and the augmentation of serum oxytocin levels. Objective: To determine if there is a difference in serum oxytocin levels and affiliative behavior in male and female dogs when interacting with children and adults. Methods: an experimental study was done, with 12 Beagles, 6 males and 6 females, belonging to the Laboratory of Animal Education (LEZO) of the Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Prior to the interaction, blood was collected for determination of basal oxytocin in dogs. The test was filmed for 3 minutes for further analysis of canine behavior, while the animals were in contact with a girl, closed in a room, one after the other, intercalating males and females, successively. After this period, they returned their stalls, and 10 minutes later, the blood was drawned again. For determination of serum oxytocin values the Oxytocin ELISA kit ADI-900- 153A-0001 from Assay Designs will be used. Serum oxytocin dosages will be tested for normality and equality of variance and, if normal distributed, evaluated by the Student t test. Interactions between dogs and participants were recorded over 180 seconds by a video camera placed in the center of the test room ceiling. From an ethogram previously determined by the researchers, an analysis of the recordings was made. Latency, frequency and total duration of behaviors were measured using a timebased measurement system. Results: after 15 behaviors analyses, only latency for intention of contact (p=0.03) and escape behavior (p=0.003) were significantly different between males and females. Other behaviors did not show significant statistical differences. According to the researchers' subjective analysis, females were more docile with children than males. Serum oxytocin assays could not be performed. Conclusion: Behavioral analysis showed that in two parameters females had a more pleasant interaction with the child. After the dosage of oxytocin, this conclusion can be corroborated.

African wild dog Lycaon pictus populations are declining and the species is listed as Endangered by the IUCN. The Kruger National Park (KNP) is home to the only viable population of wild dogs in South Africa, but census results reveal consistently low numbers since the late 1990s. Wild dogs display wide-ranging behaviour and it is possible that the species might frequently use unprotected lands adjacent to the KNP. However, very little is known about wild dog movements beyond the boundaries of the KNP, and whether or not adjacent land owners are tolerant of the species. Significantly, threats along the boundaries may have negative consequences for the KNP population. This research investigated the dispersal habits of wild dogs beyond the western and southern boundaries of the KNP, and gathered information on human tolerance, and anthropogenic threats in an area of mixed land use. The land west of the KNP presented the best prospect for wild dog range expansion. The wild dog packs operating outside the KNP had smaller home ranges and less home range overlap than the packs operating within the KNP. In addition, my data suggested that the development of conservancies and the formation of ecotourism-based land use practices would be beneficial for wild dog conservation. Failed wild dog dispersals due to snaring and human persecution could threaten the genetic stability and persistence of the KNP population. Therefore, raising awareness and an understanding of the plight of wild dogs is important for improving land owner perception and tolerance outside of protected areas. The rapidly increasing human population continues to infringe on protected lands and fragment landscapes, thus cooperation from individual land owners is vital for the conservation of free-ranging large carnivores.

No description available.

Shamwari Game Reserve was the first enclosed conservation area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to reintroduce free ranging lions, cheetahs, leopards and wild dogs back into their historic range. At that time (2000 – 2001), little information was available on the ecology and behaviour of these predators in the habitats of the Eastern Cape, and management decisions were based on assumptions and unfounded comparisons with extant populations but from quite different habitats. The aim of this study was therefore to obtain a better understanding of the feeding ecology and space use of the predator guild, and the carrying capacity of Shamwari Game Reserve to enable more informed management decisions. In addition, the reserve is a photographic based tourism venture and understanding both the ecological and financial sustainability of the predator guild was important. The diets of the predators were similar to those reported in other studies; larger predators killed a greater range of prey species than did smaller predators and a small number of prey species made up the majority of the kills. The larger predators had a higher mean kill mass than the smaller species and prey selection was influenced by prey size, prey abundance and prey habitat preference, and risk associated with hunting the species. Diet was flexible and responded to natural and management induced changes in prey abundance. There was a considerable overlap in space use by the lions, cheetahs and leopards with their core areas being centred on and around the Bushmans River. Space use was driven by resource distribution and landscape attributes, and by the presence of other predators of the same or different species. The long term viability of wild dog within the reserve was explored and the results confirmed that there was neither the required space nor the ecological processes and the wild dogs were removed from the reserve. A carrying capacity of the reserve for the predator guild was determined using the Maximum Sustainable Yield method to assess the potential prey species off take and a resultant density of 3.3 to 6.6 lion female equivalent units per 10 000 ha was established. The natural carrying capacity of the reserve with respect to predators will not sustain the tourism objectives and consequently prey supplementation was necessary to maintain predator density at levels high enough to sustain tourism. Under these conditions the large predator guild is still sustainable financially although careful, responsible management is needed to provide ecological sustainability.