Maned Wolf Zoological Research

The Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), comes from the order Carnivora and are in family Canidae as they share some similarities between wolves and foxes. The bush dog (Speothos) and maned wolf (Chrysocyon) clade is grouped with the wolf-like canids rather than with the South American foxes (Pseudalopex).

Maned wolfs have a fur coat that is reddish-brown and a white tip tail, the same physical characteristics can also be seen in red foxes as they also have a reddish-brown coat and a white-tipped tail but are very distinct species. The maned wolf is a bit of an outlier, being immediately distinguishable from its fellow canids by its extremely long, thin legs, large ears, and long, reddish orange fur. (Dietz 1985). Based on skull and teeth measurements, these wolf-like foxes were more similar to Canis than Pseudalopex. (Nowak 1999).

The large sequence divergence between the bush dog (Speothos venaticus) and maned wolf, and between these taxa and South American foxes, suggest that they diverged from each other 6-7 million years ago. (Wang et al. 2004). Looking at the figure above, we can analyze that the maned wolf is more closely related to the bush dog in the Wolf-like canids and have a close clade to the South American foxes. We can also see they have some ancestors to the Red fox-like canids which can support how they have some resemblances to red foxes.

Make sure your essay is 100% unique

Our experts will write for you an essay on any topic, with any deadline and requirements from scratch

127 our experts are available
right now

Get custom essay

General Characteristics

What makes the maned wolf interesting is its slender long legs, which some say, resemble stilts. And, as stated earlier, has that orange/reddish-brown like coat. It stands almost one meter tall at the shoulder and has a long, golden-red coat. (Gorog, 1999). It averages 35 inches at the shoulder; about three inches taller than the tallest gray wolves. (Olson, 2014).

The leg like stilts most likely aid in helping the mane wolfs see over tall shrubs or grassy areas, based on their habitat, probably for hunting prey are looking out for predators. They also tend to have pointed ears, much like my German Shepherd, that point straight up and a black mane. The maned wolf gets its name from the long black hairs running from the back of its neck to its shoulders. (Olson, 2014). The body is narrow and the ears large and erect. (Gorog, 1999).

Feeding Ecology

Maned wolfs are considered omnivores as they eat terrestrial vertebrates, fruits and other vegetation. Their terrestrial prey are sometimes small mammals, armadillos, rabbits, and rodents, as they are not very aggressive active hunters of large prey, but they will sometimes consume a pig or chicken. A large portion of its diet consists of the “wolf apple” (Solanum lycocarpum), a fruit that outwardly resembles a green tomato with a fleshy, eggplant-like interior. (Olson, 2014).

What is interesting about this fruit is that it can survive arid temperatures for an extended period of time considering that the mane wolfs live in brazil. As a typical omnivore, the maned wolfs diet is typical and diverse, including rodents, arthropods, reptiles, birds, fruits, and armadillos. (Carvalho, 1976; Dietz, 1984; Jacomo, 1995.).

What is also interesting about the wolves consuming this fruit is that it might prevent an infection from a kidney worm in the canid.

Distribution

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the largest canid species in South America. (Olson, 2014). The species is found in Brazil, Paraguay, eastern Bolivia and northern Argentina (Langguth, 1975). The Brazilian savannah, or Cerrado, constitutes the largest portion of the species’ range. (Rodden, Rodrigues & Bestelmeyer, 2004)

Reproduction

The maned wolf has a normal reproduction stage as they are monogamous and wait awhile to reproduce and usually occurs in the summer but there can be some environmental factors that can delay reproduction in maned wolfs. For both sexes breeding predominately occurs from 3 to 8 years of age, an interval generally considered prime for reproduction. (Songsasen and Rodden, 2010). Specifically, the peak breeding season generally extends from March through June, but pairs may breed as early as November and as late July in South America. (Dietz, 1984; Emmons et al., 2012).

The litter size can also be average an average of 5 to 6 pups. What is also interesting about this species is that parental care is not only done by the parent but by the siblings as well. The feeding habits of pups can also be seen by regurgitation, but studies have shown that both parents contribute. Males have been observed to stay near pup dens. (Emmons et al., 2012). A male maned wolf was also observed regurgitating to three pups after the mother died. (Jacomo et al., 2009). Recent studies have indicated that juveniles may stay within the parents’ home range beyond the birth of the next litter and help with the care of their younger siblings (melo et al., 2007; Emmons et al., 2012). A litter usually contains one to five young. (Gorog, 1999).

Behavior

For behavior, maned wolfs have some interesting aspects to their behavior as they do not form packs. They are territorial marking their territory with urine and feces and have a unique hunting strategy that uses their long longs. When hunting, usually at night, they “tip tap” on their preys’ home and draw out their pray and use a form of a pounce to acquire their meal. They do not form packs or social groups, and monogamous pairs will share a territory, but do not interact outside of reproduction. (Editors., 2018). Urine and feces, deposited regularly in particular spots, may serve to mark territories. (Gorog, 1999). Biologist think the wolf’s long legs help it see over tall grass when hunting prey. (Olson, 2014). Once they home in on a potential meal, they tap their feet to drive their prey out of hiding. (Editors., 2018).

Vocalization

These wolfs produced a distinctive vocalization called a “howl bark”, its unique because it starts out as a low howl and progresses into a loud bark. High – amplitude vocalizations produced by maned wolves bear little resemblance to the variable and oscillating howls of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) or of the coyote (C. latrans). (Dietz, 1984). Studies have also shown there are other types of vocalization that these wolfs produce. One is a single deep-throated bark that is often heard after dusk, another a high-pitched whine, and the last a growl heard during agonistic behavior. (Gorog, 1999). Each bark lasted approximately 0.7 second, was repeated at regular intervals from 2 to 4 seconds, and sounded something like “oo-wahh.”. (Dietz 1984).

Parasites

There have been reports of a parasite that mostly affects the maned wolves, and that parasite is a kidney worm. The giant kidney worm, Dioctophyme renale, is a debilitating and potentially lethal parasite that inhabits and destroys, typically host’s right kidney, and may also be found in ectopic sites. (Giorello, 2017). The wolves can contract the parasite from their diet, from arthropods and fishes, as they seem to be a perfect host for the worm and are common in South America. If this parasite is ingested by the wolf, they usually eat the “wolfs apple’’ to rid of the parasite. S. lycocarpum may provide medicinal aid against Dioctophyme renale, a worm that infects the kidneys of the maned wolf. (Gorog, 1999). There are also some other major parasites than are common in the wolves. Three nematodes, Trichuris sp., Ancylostoma sp., and Toxocara sp. Were most frequently found. (Dietz, 1985).

Human Interactions

The wolves and humans are not very fond of each other as the wolves are usually hunted or killed, mostly by farmers, and can also be held in captivity if captured. Upon detecting a human in its vicinity, a wolf would seek cover in nearby brush or when in grassland would lie curled on the ground with only its ears occasionally moving. (Dietz, 1985). Eating local farmers livestock can be the potential problem as to why they wolves are hunted or killed. The maned wolf, much to the dislike of poultry farmers, frequently feeds upon free ranging chickens. (Gorog, 1999). From being captured to being killed they are on the red list, near threatened: stated by the red list (Paula 2015), and are also in danger of land expansion, of their homes, by humans.

Jaw

From analyzing the jaw, research has found that there have impacts of trauma of the mandibular jaw by fighting with other wild animals, collisions with environmental structure and capture. Aside from the negative impacts of capture there are some positives as well, the animals do get dental care from veterinarians. Traumas with exposure of the pulp and consequent mandibular fistulas are common, resulting from fights with other animals, collisions with fences and concrete obstacles, or stress from capture. (BC., 2003).

A more comprehensive study determined that stomatognathic lesions are very frequent in maned wolves both in the wild and captivity, with dental wear and fractures causing pulp exposure being the main injuries. (Lopes, 2008). Therefore, procedures to preserve the dentition and occlusion are important to assure integrity of the chewing ability and adequate food intake. (Gioso, 2001). Dental treatment is frequently given to carnivores maintained in captivity as part of routine preventive care. (BC., 2003).

Works Cited

1. BC., R. W. (2003). Bloom Exotic placental carnivore dentistry. Vet Clin N Am Exot Anim Pract.
2. Editors., A. N. (2018). Maned Wolf . Retrieved from Animals Network: https://animals.net/maned-wolf/
3. Giorello, A. K. (2017). Identification and characterization of the major pseudocoelomic protiens of the giant kidney worm. Retrieved from Dioctophyme renale. Parasites Vectors: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2388-x
4. Gioso, J. P. (2001). The Oral Cavity. In F. M. (eds.), Biology, medicine and surgery of South American wild animals (pp. 547-463). Ames (IA): Iwoa State Unive. Press:.
5. Gorog, A. (1999). ‘Chrysocyon brachyrus’ (On-Line). Retrieved from Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chrysocyon_brachyrus/
6. Lopes, F. (2008). Avaliacao do sistema estomatognatico e de sincranios de lobo-guara (Chrysocyon brachyurus) em vida livre e cativeiro. [Evalutaion of stomachgnatict system and sincraniums of free-ranging and captive maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)]. Sao Paulo: Universidade de Sao Paulo [Sao Paulo University].
7. Olson, E. R. (2014, July 25). Featured Creature: Maned Wolf. Retrieved from PBS. Nature: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/inside-nature-featured-creature-maned-wolf/
8. Paulo de Souza Junior, F. M. (2016, March 1). ‘MANDIBULAR MORPHOMETRY APPLIED TO ANESTHETIC BLOCKAGE IN THE MANED WOLF (CHRYSOCYON BRACHYURUS),. Retrieved from Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 47(1): https://doi.org/10.1638/2015-0092.1
9. R. Sollman, M. M. (2010). Maned wolf survival rate in central Brazil. Journal of Zoology/ Volume 282, Issue 3 , https://doi-org.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2010.00727.x.
10. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (202, February 10). Red Fox . Retrieved from Encylopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/animal/red-fox-mammal
11. Carvalho, C.T 1976. Aspectos faunisticos do Cerrado-O lobo-guara (Mammalia-Canidae). Boletim Tecnico Inst. Florestal. Sao Paulo. 21: 1-18
12. Dietz, J.M 1984. Ecology and social organization of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). Smithsonian contributions to zoology. N.392
13. Jacomo A.T.A. 1995. Nicho alimentar do lobo-guara (Chrysocyon brachyurus, liliger. 1811) no Parque Nacional das Emas, Goias. Monografia: Univ. Catolica de Goias, Goiania. P. 29.
14. Langguth, A. (1975). Ecology and evolution in the South American canids. In The wild canids. Their systematics and behaviour: 192–206. Fox, M.W. (Ed.). New York: Litton Educational Publishing.
15. Rodden, M., Rodrigues, F. & Bestelmeyer, S. (2004). Maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger 1815). In
16. Status survey and conservation action plan. Canids: foxes, wolves, jackals and dogs: 38–43. Zillero‐Zubiri, C., Hoffmann, M. & Macdonald, D.W. (Eds). Available at http://www.canids.org/cap/index.htm
17. Consorte-McCrea, A.G. & Santos, E.F., 2014. Ecology and conservation of the maned wolf : multidisciplinary perspectives.
18. Wayne, R. K. et al., Systematic Biology, 46, 622-653, 1997
19. Wang. X, Tedford, R. H., Van Valkenburgh, B. and Wayne, R. K. 2004. Ancestry Evolutionary history, molecular systemics, and evolutionary ecology of Canidae. In; D.W. Macdonald and C. Sillero – Zubiri, eds. The Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
20. Emmons L. H., Chavez V. Del Aguila LF, Angulo S and Muir IN. 2016. Social interaction and Reproduction.  In: Emmons L. H. (ed.), The maned wolves of noel kemp mercado national park. Smithsonian Institute Scholarly Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 57-75.
21. Melo LFB, Sabato MAL, Magni: EMV, Young RJ and Coelho CM. 2007. Secret lives of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger 1815): as revealed by GPS tracking collars. Journal of Zoology 271: 27-36
22. Giorello, A.N., Kennedy, M.W., Butti, M.J. et al. Identification and characterization of the major pseudocoelomic proteins of the giant kidney worm, Dioctophyme renale . Parasites Vectors 10, 446 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2388-x
23. Paula, R.C. & DeMatteo, K. 2015. Chrysocyon brachyurus (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T4819A88135664. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T4819A82316878.en. Downloaded on 16 April
24. RB Wiggs BC. Bloom Exotic placental carnivore dentistry. Vet Clin N Am Exot Anim Pract. 2003;6:571– 599. 2020.
25. FM. Lopes Avaliação do sistema estomatognático e de sincrânios de lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus) em vida livre e cativeiro. [Evaluation of stomachgnatict system and sincraniums of free-ranging and captive maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)]. Universidade de São Paulo [São Paulo University] – [S.l.]. 2008.
26. JR Pachaly MA. Gioso The oral cavity. In: Fowler ME ZS Cubas (eds.). Biology, medicine and surgery of South American wild animals. Ames (IA): Iowa State Univ. Press; 2001. p. 457–463.
27. Consorte-McCrea, A.G. & Santos, E.F., 2014. Ecology and conservation of the maned wolf : multidisciplinary perspectives.)
28. Wayne, R. K. et al., Systematic Biology, 46, 622-653, 1997
29. Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker’s Mammals of the Worl, 4th edn. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.