The Experts below are selected from a list of 1032 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Jozsef Lanszki - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Moderate genetic variability and no genetic structure within the European Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) population in Hungary
Mammal Research, 2019Co-Authors: Szilvia Kusza, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Krisztina Nagy, Csaba Szabó, Sylwia D. CzarnomskaAbstract:Demography of the Golden Jackal ( Canis aureus ) was affected by various events in the past, but today Jackal populations are increasing throughout Europe. Despite the fact that it is one of the most rapidly spreading mammals in Europe, previous genetic studies detected low genetic diversity among and within populations. The Hungarian landscape is not highly varied; however, it is in the middle of the country’s territory that the Jackal’s number is significantly increasing. Therefore, the main goal of our research was to further investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of the Hungarian Golden Jackal population based on a larger sample size than in previous studies ever, expecting that individuals from genetically differentiated subpopulations might meet in the area studied. Seventy Golden Jackals from the most populated area, Western Hungary, were studied with regard to genetic variability, differentiation, and structure as revealed by 385-bp-long mitochondrial control region sequences and 10 nuclear canine microsatellite loci. There was no variation at all in the mtDNA CR sequences, and nuclear variability was low (average observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.348 and 0.447, respectively). Furthermore, no obvious genetic structuring was detected in the studied population using GENELAND and PCA analyses. The present regional genetic structure and diversity of the Hungarian Golden Jackal is consistent with the previous results; however, it is the first analysis based on a relatively large sample size. We concluded that further molecular genetic studies are needed with a more specific marker set to have more accurate knowledge on rate of hybridization and genetic structure in Golden Jackal populations across Hungary and Europe.
-
feeding responses of the Golden Jackal after reduction of anthropogenic food subsidies
PLOS ONE, 2018Co-Authors: Jozsef Lanszki, Matt W Hayward, Nikolett NagyapatiAbstract:Little is known of the resources that limit or promote the rapidly expanding Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) population in Europe. We hypothesised that in an area of intensive big game hunting, a reduction of the main food resource (human subsidised big game viscera) would result in dietary switching. We used multivariate analyses to test whether the dietary composition of 200 Jackal stomachs varied between two 2-yearly survey occasions, the first without big game viscera removal (availability of 68 kg viscera/year/km2) followed by a period with viscera removal (minimum of 50 kg of viscera/year/km2 removed). The proportion of empty stomachs and the stomach wet content weight did not differ between the two periods. Even after the reduction of food subsidies, the primary food of Jackals was viscera and carrion from wild ungulates (frequency of occurrence: 45% vs. 30%; wet weight: 55% vs. 29%, respectively), and scavenging was not affected by season or sex. Log-linear analysis of frequency data revealed no significant differences between survey occasions in consumption of either food type. MANCOVA of wet weight data revealed that in the first period with food subsidies Jackals consumed a higher proportion of adult wild boar (11.6% vs. 1.3%; from predation or scavenging), while juvenile wild boar (0 vs. 11.8%; from predation or scavenging), domestic animals (0.8% vs. 6.2%; mostly from scavenging) and invertebrates (2.6% vs. 4.1%) increased in the second period. The stomachs in the second survey occasion contained more varied food items, but the trophic niche was not significantly wider. The feeding responses of this mesopredator to the reduction of food subsidies were less pronounced than expected. Because in high big game density areas, wild ungulate carrion from different mortality causes are available in high quantities throughout the year, predator populations can be maintained despite the high amount of viscera removal.
-
Golden Jackal expansion in europe first telemetry evidence of a natal dispersal
Mammalian Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Gergely Schally, Nathan RancAbstract:Abstract The Eurasian Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) is currently undergoing a rapid range expansion. Originally restricted to small coastal areas of the Mediterranean and Black seas, this highly adaptive and generalist species is now reproducing throughout Southeastern and Central Europe. In addition, individuals are being seen further to the North and West. This continental-scale phenomenon is receiving high interest among the public and policy makers. Although dispersal is a key determinant of the species expansion, little is known about the dispersal ecology of the species. Here we report the first direct evidence of the Golden Jackal dispersal ability by presenting the natal dispersal of a yearling female monitored by GPS-telemetry in Southwestern Hungary. We used a cluster-based path segmentation analysis to identify the different movement sequences: pre- and post-dispersal home ranges, dispersal event as well as explorative forays. The yearling female left her natal home range before the mating season, in January and settled 61.2 km to the North, where she successfully bred. The dispersal transience lasted for 12 days, with a cumulative travelled distance of 223.7 km through a human-dominated landscape (including two crossings of a motorway). The dispersal movements were characterized by much longer step lengths than observed during the home ranging behavior, and a high propensity for nocturnal movements. Noticeably, the dispersal event followed a period of numerous explorative forays. Our GPS telemetry study confirms the Golden Jackal’s ability to disperse long distances through human-dominated landscapes, and the potential for the species to expand further in human-dominated landscapes of Central Europe.
-
phenetic similarity of european Golden Jackal canis aureus moreoticus populations from southeastern europe based on craniometric data
Biologia, 2017Co-Authors: Georgi Markov, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Aleksandra Penezic, Ivan Nikolov, Dusko CirovicAbstract:This study describes the craniometrical population pattern of the European Golden Jackal (Canis aureus moreoticus) populations inhabiting the southeastern part of its European range. The craniometric analysis was carried out using 18 linear skull and dental parameters. The analysis included 167 adult individuals (78 males and 89 females), originating from five populations inhabiting Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. The expected high degree of craniometric sexual dimorphism was confirmed. The multivariate differentiation analyses of linear characters were carried out separately for males and females from the five analyzed populations. The results are suggesting that Multiple Group Discriminant Analysis is able to “build” a model which classifies both males and females to the population from which they originated. The general pattern of craniometrical similarity in both males and females Golden Jackals in investigated area is not strongly bounded to the geographic origin of their population. Comparative population analysis of linear skull and dental parameters of Golden Jackals in southeastern Europe provided important information for future population differentiation studies across the whole Golden Jackal range.
-
diet composition of the Golden Jackal and the sympatric red fox in an agricultural area hungary
Folia Zoologica, 2016Co-Authors: Jozsef Lanszki, László Szabó, Anita Kurys, Nikolett Nagyapati, Laura B Porter, Miklos HeltaiAbstract:In order to better understand the ecology of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and interspecific relationships among carnivores, we studied its dietary pattern and the diet of its main competitor, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) over a three-year period. The study was carried out in an agricultural area in SW Hungary and was based on scat analysis (Jackal n = 373, fox n = 268 samples). The Jackal primarily consumed small mammals in all seasons (mean biomass consumed: 72 %). The secondary food sources were wild ungulates (in winter and spring; mainly wild boar Sus scrofa, including piglets) and plants (in summer and autumn; mainly wild fruits). The consumption of cervids in winter and in spring was only detected in low proportions. The fox also primarily consumed small mammals (50.3 % of trophic niche breadth, B), but their consumption dropped in summer and autumn. Two-thirds of the summer and autumn diet consisted of plants, while the bird consumption was higher in spring and summer. The diet compositions of both predators were similar. However, compared with Jackal, the fox consumed significantly higher proportions of birds. The standardized trophic niche breadth (BA) of these canids was very narrow (0.09), and the food overlapped in high proportions (69.8 %). The study confirmed the partial partitioning of food resources and opportunistic feeding of both canids.
Miklos Heltai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Moderate genetic variability and no genetic structure within the European Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) population in Hungary
Mammal Research, 2019Co-Authors: Szilvia Kusza, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Krisztina Nagy, Csaba Szabó, Sylwia D. CzarnomskaAbstract:Demography of the Golden Jackal ( Canis aureus ) was affected by various events in the past, but today Jackal populations are increasing throughout Europe. Despite the fact that it is one of the most rapidly spreading mammals in Europe, previous genetic studies detected low genetic diversity among and within populations. The Hungarian landscape is not highly varied; however, it is in the middle of the country’s territory that the Jackal’s number is significantly increasing. Therefore, the main goal of our research was to further investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of the Hungarian Golden Jackal population based on a larger sample size than in previous studies ever, expecting that individuals from genetically differentiated subpopulations might meet in the area studied. Seventy Golden Jackals from the most populated area, Western Hungary, were studied with regard to genetic variability, differentiation, and structure as revealed by 385-bp-long mitochondrial control region sequences and 10 nuclear canine microsatellite loci. There was no variation at all in the mtDNA CR sequences, and nuclear variability was low (average observed and expected heterozygosity of 0.348 and 0.447, respectively). Furthermore, no obvious genetic structuring was detected in the studied population using GENELAND and PCA analyses. The present regional genetic structure and diversity of the Hungarian Golden Jackal is consistent with the previous results; however, it is the first analysis based on a relatively large sample size. We concluded that further molecular genetic studies are needed with a more specific marker set to have more accurate knowledge on rate of hybridization and genetic structure in Golden Jackal populations across Hungary and Europe.
-
Golden Jackal expansion in europe first telemetry evidence of a natal dispersal
Mammalian Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Gergely Schally, Nathan RancAbstract:Abstract The Eurasian Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) is currently undergoing a rapid range expansion. Originally restricted to small coastal areas of the Mediterranean and Black seas, this highly adaptive and generalist species is now reproducing throughout Southeastern and Central Europe. In addition, individuals are being seen further to the North and West. This continental-scale phenomenon is receiving high interest among the public and policy makers. Although dispersal is a key determinant of the species expansion, little is known about the dispersal ecology of the species. Here we report the first direct evidence of the Golden Jackal dispersal ability by presenting the natal dispersal of a yearling female monitored by GPS-telemetry in Southwestern Hungary. We used a cluster-based path segmentation analysis to identify the different movement sequences: pre- and post-dispersal home ranges, dispersal event as well as explorative forays. The yearling female left her natal home range before the mating season, in January and settled 61.2 km to the North, where she successfully bred. The dispersal transience lasted for 12 days, with a cumulative travelled distance of 223.7 km through a human-dominated landscape (including two crossings of a motorway). The dispersal movements were characterized by much longer step lengths than observed during the home ranging behavior, and a high propensity for nocturnal movements. Noticeably, the dispersal event followed a period of numerous explorative forays. Our GPS telemetry study confirms the Golden Jackal’s ability to disperse long distances through human-dominated landscapes, and the potential for the species to expand further in human-dominated landscapes of Central Europe.
-
phenetic similarity of european Golden Jackal canis aureus moreoticus populations from southeastern europe based on craniometric data
Biologia, 2017Co-Authors: Georgi Markov, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Aleksandra Penezic, Ivan Nikolov, Dusko CirovicAbstract:This study describes the craniometrical population pattern of the European Golden Jackal (Canis aureus moreoticus) populations inhabiting the southeastern part of its European range. The craniometric analysis was carried out using 18 linear skull and dental parameters. The analysis included 167 adult individuals (78 males and 89 females), originating from five populations inhabiting Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. The expected high degree of craniometric sexual dimorphism was confirmed. The multivariate differentiation analyses of linear characters were carried out separately for males and females from the five analyzed populations. The results are suggesting that Multiple Group Discriminant Analysis is able to “build” a model which classifies both males and females to the population from which they originated. The general pattern of craniometrical similarity in both males and females Golden Jackals in investigated area is not strongly bounded to the geographic origin of their population. Comparative population analysis of linear skull and dental parameters of Golden Jackals in southeastern Europe provided important information for future population differentiation studies across the whole Golden Jackal range.
-
diet composition of the Golden Jackal and the sympatric red fox in an agricultural area hungary
Folia Zoologica, 2016Co-Authors: Jozsef Lanszki, László Szabó, Anita Kurys, Nikolett Nagyapati, Laura B Porter, Miklos HeltaiAbstract:In order to better understand the ecology of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and interspecific relationships among carnivores, we studied its dietary pattern and the diet of its main competitor, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) over a three-year period. The study was carried out in an agricultural area in SW Hungary and was based on scat analysis (Jackal n = 373, fox n = 268 samples). The Jackal primarily consumed small mammals in all seasons (mean biomass consumed: 72 %). The secondary food sources were wild ungulates (in winter and spring; mainly wild boar Sus scrofa, including piglets) and plants (in summer and autumn; mainly wild fruits). The consumption of cervids in winter and in spring was only detected in low proportions. The fox also primarily consumed small mammals (50.3 % of trophic niche breadth, B), but their consumption dropped in summer and autumn. Two-thirds of the summer and autumn diet consisted of plants, while the bird consumption was higher in spring and summer. The diet compositions of both predators were similar. However, compared with Jackal, the fox consumed significantly higher proportions of birds. The standardized trophic niche breadth (BA) of these canids was very narrow (0.09), and the food overlapped in high proportions (69.8 %). The study confirmed the partial partitioning of food resources and opportunistic feeding of both canids.
-
A European Concern? Genetic Structure and Expansion of Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe and the Caucasus.
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Robert Rutkowski, Giorgos Giannatos, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, László Szabó, Miha Krofel, Duško Ćirović, Peep Männil, Anatoliy M. Volokh, Ovidiu C. BaneaAbstract:In the first continent-wide study of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), we characterised its population genetic structure and attempted to identify the origin of European populations. This provided a unique insight into genetic characteristics of a native carnivore population with rapid large-scale expansion. We analysed 15 microsatellite markers and a 406 base-pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Bayesian-based and principal components methods were applied to evaluate whether the geographical grouping of samples corresponded with genetic groups. Our analysis revealed low levels of genetic diversity, reflecting the unique history of the Golden Jackal among Europe’s native carnivores. The results suggest ongoing gene flow between south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus, with both contributing to the Baltic population, which appeared only recently. The population from the Peloponnese Peninsula in southern Greece forms a common genetic cluster with samples from south-eastern Europe (ΔK approach in STRUCTURE, Principal Components Analysis [PCA]), although the results based on BAPS and the estimated likelihood in STRUCTURE indicate that Peloponnesian Jackals may represent a distinct population. Moreover, analyses of population structure also suggest either genetic distinctiveness of the island population from Samos near the coast of Asia Minor (BAPS, most STRUCTURE, PCA), or possibly its connection with the Caucasus population (one analysis in STRUCTURE). We speculate from our results that ancient Mediterranean Jackal populations have persisted to the present day, and have merged with Jackals colonising from Asia. These data also suggest that new populations of the Golden Jackal may be founded by long-distance dispersal, and thus should not be treated as an invasive alien species, i.e. an organism that is “non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health”. These insights into the genetic structure and ancestry of Baltic Jackals have important implications for management and conservation of Jackals in Europe. The Golden Jackal is listed as an Annex V species in the EU Habitats Directive and as such, considering also the results presented here, should be legally protected in all EU member states.
László Szabó - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
diet composition of the Golden Jackal and the sympatric red fox in an agricultural area hungary
Folia Zoologica, 2016Co-Authors: Jozsef Lanszki, László Szabó, Anita Kurys, Nikolett Nagyapati, Laura B Porter, Miklos HeltaiAbstract:In order to better understand the ecology of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and interspecific relationships among carnivores, we studied its dietary pattern and the diet of its main competitor, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) over a three-year period. The study was carried out in an agricultural area in SW Hungary and was based on scat analysis (Jackal n = 373, fox n = 268 samples). The Jackal primarily consumed small mammals in all seasons (mean biomass consumed: 72 %). The secondary food sources were wild ungulates (in winter and spring; mainly wild boar Sus scrofa, including piglets) and plants (in summer and autumn; mainly wild fruits). The consumption of cervids in winter and in spring was only detected in low proportions. The fox also primarily consumed small mammals (50.3 % of trophic niche breadth, B), but their consumption dropped in summer and autumn. Two-thirds of the summer and autumn diet consisted of plants, while the bird consumption was higher in spring and summer. The diet compositions of both predators were similar. However, compared with Jackal, the fox consumed significantly higher proportions of birds. The standardized trophic niche breadth (BA) of these canids was very narrow (0.09), and the food overlapped in high proportions (69.8 %). The study confirmed the partial partitioning of food resources and opportunistic feeding of both canids.
-
A European Concern? Genetic Structure and Expansion of Golden Jackals (Canis aureus) in Europe and the Caucasus.
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Robert Rutkowski, Giorgos Giannatos, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, László Szabó, Miha Krofel, Duško Ćirović, Peep Männil, Anatoliy M. Volokh, Ovidiu C. BaneaAbstract:In the first continent-wide study of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), we characterised its population genetic structure and attempted to identify the origin of European populations. This provided a unique insight into genetic characteristics of a native carnivore population with rapid large-scale expansion. We analysed 15 microsatellite markers and a 406 base-pair fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Bayesian-based and principal components methods were applied to evaluate whether the geographical grouping of samples corresponded with genetic groups. Our analysis revealed low levels of genetic diversity, reflecting the unique history of the Golden Jackal among Europe’s native carnivores. The results suggest ongoing gene flow between south-eastern Europe and the Caucasus, with both contributing to the Baltic population, which appeared only recently. The population from the Peloponnese Peninsula in southern Greece forms a common genetic cluster with samples from south-eastern Europe (ΔK approach in STRUCTURE, Principal Components Analysis [PCA]), although the results based on BAPS and the estimated likelihood in STRUCTURE indicate that Peloponnesian Jackals may represent a distinct population. Moreover, analyses of population structure also suggest either genetic distinctiveness of the island population from Samos near the coast of Asia Minor (BAPS, most STRUCTURE, PCA), or possibly its connection with the Caucasus population (one analysis in STRUCTURE). We speculate from our results that ancient Mediterranean Jackal populations have persisted to the present day, and have merged with Jackals colonising from Asia. These data also suggest that new populations of the Golden Jackal may be founded by long-distance dispersal, and thus should not be treated as an invasive alien species, i.e. an organism that is “non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health”. These insights into the genetic structure and ancestry of Baltic Jackals have important implications for management and conservation of Jackals in Europe. The Golden Jackal is listed as an Annex V species in the EU Habitats Directive and as such, considering also the results presented here, should be legally protected in all EU member states.
-
acoustic survey on Golden Jackal population in the area of sastya game management unit
2013Co-Authors: László Szabó, Jozsef Lanszki, Dusko Cirovic, Anita Kurys, Nikolett Nagyapati, Alexandra Penezic, Miklos HeltaiAbstract:The aim of our study was based on field research to estimate the population density of Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) -which is continuously spreading in Hungary - in the area of Sastya Hunting Club, Vajszlo (Ormansag region, SW Hungary). The species has been living here for two decades, so based on earlier studies it has a stable population in this area. Acoustic monitoring method was used to estimate the density. Survey was executed in March and in November 2012, during two precipitation-free and windless nights. Size of the study area was 1570 hectares in spring and 2200 hectares in autumn. During the first field-work howling of 5 different Jackal groups were detected (1 individual in 1 case, 2 individuals in 1 case, more than 2 individuals in 3 cases); 9 diffent groups were heard in the second survey (1 individual in 1 case, 2 individuals in 2 cases, more than 2 individuals in 6 cases). The estimated group density was 3,2 in spring and 4,1 in autumn by 1000 hectares. Our results are in accordance with earlier studies done in this region. The research was supported by the Hungarian-Serbian bilateral programme entitled “Population density and feeding habits of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus L. 1758) in different habitats in the Pannonian ecoregion” (project number: RS-14/09). The publication was supported by the “Research Faculty Grant” of the Hungarian Ministry of Human Resources”.
-
expansion range of the Golden Jackal in hungary between 1997 and 2006
Mammalia, 2009Co-Authors: László Szabó, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Eleonora Szűcs, Robert LehoczkiAbstract:The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), an indigenous predator of Hungary, is listed in the Hungarian Red Data Book as an extinct species because it had disappeared from the country by the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1990s a repatriation process was started in the southern part of Hungary. To monitor the presence of Jackals and/ or population changes countrywide, a questionnaire sur- vey was mailed to Hungarian game management units (GMUs) between 1997 and 2006. Proof specimens, field observations and hunting bag data were also analysed. During the study period approximately 100 proof speci- mens were identified. According to official hunting bag data, the number of bags reported has continuously increased for 10 years, with 11 Jackals shot in 1997 and a total of 163 specimens shot up to 2006 (linear regres- sion, R 2 s0.949, p-0.0001), which is in parallel with the four animals reported by GMUs in 1997 and the total of 67 up to 2006 (linear regression, R 2 s0.983, p-0.0001). Detection of animals and their signs proves the contin- uous presence and the existence of stable populations of the species. Independent data collection and analysis confirmed that Golden Jackals have settled in Hungary. The rate of expansion and population growth are typical of invasive species.
-
the growth of the distribution area and the population of the Golden Jackal in hungary in the last decade
Journal of Veterinary Behavior-clinical Applications and Research, 2009Co-Authors: László Szabó, Miklos Heltai, Jozsef LanszkiAbstract:The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus Linneaus, 1758) is one of the indigenious predators in Hungary. As a consequence of transformation and destruction of its habitat, the Jackal disappeared from the Hungarian fauna by the middle of the 20th century. The first solitary specimens reappeared from the direction of the Balkan peninsula in the early 1980s, and sightings became frequent in the early 1990s. Breeding pairs were noticed in the middle of the last decade of the 20th century, and huge populations were established within a short time, mainly in the southern counties. More and more articles were published about the Jackal’s simultaneous reappearance and increasing population in Europe (Slovakia, Romania, Transylvania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Austria, and Italy). Monitoring of population status and of the spreading of the Golden Jackal started right after the probable settling of the species in Hungary. Three independent methods were used in the present project: (1) analysis of the hunting bag data based on the National Game Management Database; (2) mail questionnaire survey among Hungarian Game Management Units (GMU); and (3) field work (collecting proof of specimens, acoustic
Dusko Cirovic - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
craniomandibular osteopathy in a Golden Jackal canis aureus
Veterinary Record Case Reports, 2019Co-Authors: Darko Marinkovic, Dusko Cirovic, Mirjana Lazarevic Macanovic, Nikola Krstic, Ingrid GielenAbstract:Craniomandibular osteopathy is a rare disorder in dogs, characterised by subperiosteal and extraperiosteal new bone proliferations on the skull, on the mandibles in particular and occasionally on long bones. Data about craniomandibular osteopathy in the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) are lacking. This paper describes craniomandibular osteopathy in a seven-month-old animal. The mandibular region and the distal section of the hindlimb were examined radiologically and by CT. Both imaging modalities showed ossifying periosteal deposits localised on the left side of the mandible and irregular periosteal ossifying deposits covering the surface of the crural bones. Histopathology revealed new bone formation in the endosteum, periosteum and trabecular bone of the mandible and in the distal section of the hindlimb, but no inflammatory cells were found. Craniomandibular osteopathy in free-living canids has not yet been reported. However, the macroscopic imaging and histopathological features in this pup were consistent with the disease.
-
phenetic similarity of european Golden Jackal canis aureus moreoticus populations from southeastern europe based on craniometric data
Biologia, 2017Co-Authors: Georgi Markov, Jozsef Lanszki, Miklos Heltai, Aleksandra Penezic, Ivan Nikolov, Dusko CirovicAbstract:This study describes the craniometrical population pattern of the European Golden Jackal (Canis aureus moreoticus) populations inhabiting the southeastern part of its European range. The craniometric analysis was carried out using 18 linear skull and dental parameters. The analysis included 167 adult individuals (78 males and 89 females), originating from five populations inhabiting Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. The expected high degree of craniometric sexual dimorphism was confirmed. The multivariate differentiation analyses of linear characters were carried out separately for males and females from the five analyzed populations. The results are suggesting that Multiple Group Discriminant Analysis is able to “build” a model which classifies both males and females to the population from which they originated. The general pattern of craniometrical similarity in both males and females Golden Jackals in investigated area is not strongly bounded to the geographic origin of their population. Comparative population analysis of linear skull and dental parameters of Golden Jackals in southeastern Europe provided important information for future population differentiation studies across the whole Golden Jackal range.
-
cranial variability of the serbian Golden Jackal geographic variation sexual dimorphism and allometry
Zoologischer Anzeiger – A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2016Co-Authors: Jelena Porobic, Dusko Cirovic, Vida JojicAbstract:Abstract Geometric morphometric approaches were employed for the first time to explore skull size and shape changes in Golden Jackal ( Canis aureus ) from Serbia. We examined three different, but connected aspects of its cranial variability: geographic variation, sexual dimorphism and allometry. To elucidate the pattern of cranial size and shape variation, we analyzed ventral crania of subadults and adults from two geographic regions of Serbia. For both age groups there were no significant size, but significant shape differences between Golden Jackals from northeastern and central Serbia. The observed shape differences were subtle, probably due to recent range expansion of this species in the Balkans and a strong founder effect in the newly established populations. The detected significant sexual size and shape dimorphisms (SSD and SShD) were slight and more evident in adult crania. Although the SShD observed in adult crania is influenced by SSD, factors responsible for the non-allometric component of shape variation, and not pure size differences between sexes, are those that are most important for generation of SShD in this species. A monogamous reproductive system, male parental care, omnivorous and opportunistic feeding behavior and the absence of division of labor between males and females in activities other than parental care, could all be related to the driving of morphological similarity between the sexes.
-
a large scale study of the trichinella genus in the Golden Jackal canis aureus population in serbia
Veterinary Parasitology, 2015Co-Authors: Dusko Cirovic, Dragan Vasilev, Ivana Klun, Vlado Teodorovic, Marija Markovic, Nada Cosic, Mirjana Dimitrijevic, Olgica DjurkovicdjakovicAbstract:a b s t r a c t Over the last decades the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) has significantly expanded its range throughout Southeast and Central Europe, and the Balkan Peninsula is considered to be a core area of the species distri- bution in this part of the range. Due to its increasing number, ability of long distance movement through a wide range of landscapes and opportunistic feeding habits, the Golden Jackal may represent an important reservoir and transmitter of a variety of zoonotic agents, including parasites. The Balkans, Serbia included, remain an endemic area for various zoonotic parasites including Trichinella spp. Trichinella has recently been recorded in Jackals in Serbia, which prompted us to carry out a large-scale survey of its prevalence, distribution and species identification in this host. In cooperation with local hunters, carcasses of a total of 738 legally hunted Golden Jackals were collected at 24 localities over an 11-year period (2003-2013). Analysis of tongue base tissue revealed Trichinella larvae in 122, indicating a prevalence of infection of 16.5%. No difference in the prevalence of infection was found between genders (16.2% in males and 16.9% in females (� 2 = 0.05, p = 0.821)), or among the study years (G = 7.22, p = 0.705). Trichinella larvae were found in 13 out of the 24 examined localities. Molecular identification was performed for 90 isolates, and 64 (71.1%) larvae were identified as Trichinella spiralis and 25 (27.9%) as Trichinella britovi. Mixed infection (T. spiralis and T. britovi) was recorded in a single case. Although T. spiralis was more prevalent, T. britovi had a wider distribution, and was the only recorded species in Jackal populations from the mountainous region of eastern Serbia. On the other hand, T. spiralis was dominant in Jackals in the lowlands of central and northern Serbia, where domestic pigs are mostly reared. These results show that the Golden Jackal is involved in both the domestic and sylvatic cycle, and that it has emerged as a major host species in the sylvatic cycle of the Trichinella genus. Therefore, continued monitoring of Trichinella infection in Golden Jackals in Serbia and the whole of the Balkans is recommended in order to control transmission of this parasite to humans and domestic animals. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
-
levels of infection of intestinal helminth species in the Golden Jackal canis aureus from serbia
Journal of Helminthology, 2015Co-Authors: Dusko Cirovic, Aleksandra Penezic, Ivan Pavlovic, Z Kulisic, Sanja SelakovicAbstract:: During the past decade, Golden Jackal populations have substantially increased, yet little is known of their potential for transmitting parasites within animal and human hosts. In the present study, between 2005 and 2010, 447 Jackals from six localities in Serbia were examined for intestinal parasites. Two species of trematodes (Alaria alata, Pseudamphistomum truncatum), three nematodes (Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Gongylonema sp.), and seven cestodes (Taenia pisiformis, Taenia hydatigena, Multiceps multiceps, Multiceps serialis, Mesocestoides lineatus, Mesocestoides litteratus, Dipylidium caninum) were identified. Pseudamphistomum truncatum and M. serialis species were recorded for the first time. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 10.3%. No significant differences were found in the prevalence of infection between males and females (P>0.817), between localities (P>0.502), or with regard to annual cycles (P>0.502). In the infected Jackal population, 65% harboured multiple infections and one individual was a host to five different types of parasite species, the highest number of parasites we recorded in a single host. These findings indicate that although the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in the Jackal population in Serbia is significantly lower than expected from earlier studies, further monitoring is required given the Jackal's rapid population increase.
Mesele Yihune - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Population status, foraging ecology and activity pattern of Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) in Guangua Ellala Forest, Awi Zone, north west Ethiopia.
PLOS ONE, 2020Co-Authors: Tilahun Gashe, Mesele YihuneAbstract:A study on population status, foraging ecology and activity pattern of Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) was conducted from October 2017 to August 2018. Data was collected through direct observation (total count, focal and scan sampling) and faecal dropping analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with Chi-square test, t test and one way ANOVA. The result indicated that the average number of Golden Jackal in the study area was 65 during the wet season and 83 during the dry season. There was a significant difference in the population size of Golden Jackal between the wet and the dry season (t = 38.13, df = 1, P
-
population status foraging ecology and activity pattern of Golden Jackal canis aureus in guangua ellala forest awi zone north west ethiopia
PLOS ONE, 2020Co-Authors: Tilahun Gashe, Mesele YihuneAbstract:A study on population status, foraging ecology and activity pattern of Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) was conducted from October 2017 to August 2018. Data was collected through direct observation (total count, focal and scan sampling) and faecal dropping analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared with Chi-square test, t test and one way ANOVA. The result indicated that the average number of Golden Jackal in the study area was 65 during the wet season and 83 during the dry season. There was a significant difference in the population size of Golden Jackal between the wet and the dry season (t = 38.13, df = 1, P<0.05). The mean pack size ± SD were 4±1.19 and 4.5±1.3 during the wet and the dry seasons, respectively. Golden Jackal was observed feeding mostly on rodents and plant materials. The food items consumed were significantly differed (χ2 = 20.33, df = 5, P< 0.05) between both seasons. They were mostly active during early morning (6:00-8:00) and late afternoon (16:00-18:00). The overall status of the current population does not appear in an immediate danger. However, there are many conservation problems that could affect the species in the future in the area. Therefore, appropriate conservation measures should be taken in to consideration to protect Golden Jackal and create suitable habitat.