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Short-eared Dog
The Short-eared Dog (Atelocynus microtis), is a canid species, also known as the Small Eared Zorro or Short-eared Fox. It is also called cachorro-do-mato -de-orelhas-curtas in Portuguese, El zorro de oreja corta in Spanish and many names in indigenous languages; examples nomensarixi in Chiquitano people or ualaca in Yucana etc. This only one known species of genus Atelocynus. It can be found in the Amazon rainforest region of South America . They prefer areas of rainforest with little human disturbance. Its live in various part of rainforest environment. It has short and slender limbs with short and rounded ears. The Short-eared Dog has a distinctive fox-like muzzle and bushy tail. They range from dark to reddish-grey. Their diet includes small mammals, fish, insects, fruit and reptiles. The Short-eared Dog is currently considered data deficient by IUCN.
Evolution and systematics
The Short-eared Dog's evolution ran similarly, how such other canid and modern mammals of South America, this means during creation of Isthmus of Panama in the latter part the Tertiary dogs migrate on South continent. Some the ancestor of short-eared Zorro crossed from the North American and adapted oneself to life in tropical rainforest, developing many the unique features of character and building the morphological - anatomical features. The newest systematics classifies him as species from tribe Canini, and him the the closest relatives in present is probably (described) Crab-eating Zorro . The number of chromosomes - 76 (2 x 36) [http://www.canids.org/species/Short-eared_dog.pdf ]. Subspecies this mammal initially not was distinguished, but now distinguish two subspecies. [http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?s=y&id=14000693 ]
Occurrence and environment
Short-eared Dog occur in Peru equatorial forests, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela(?). Species this prefers exclusively forest terrains far from human seats. It lives both rain lowland forests know as Selva Amazonica in terra firme forest, how also in swamp forest, stands of bamboo, often primary succession along river in rainy season, and partly Cloud forest . It prefers in river rich terrains, their range where it often hunts on fish's different species [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/6924/all ].
Appearance
The average size of the carnivore mammal, with dark coat, often navy blue, caffeic, dark grey or chestnut-grey variation, short, but the thick and bristly fur. It possesses comparatively short ears and enough debts, densely hairy tail "sweeping the ground".This is remarkably forest species, corresponsive to thick undergrowth and be equipped in comparatively short, strong limbs. The paws partly webbed natatorial, what suggests the also water habitation of existence [http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Atelocynus_microtis.html ]. It moves from feline lightness unparalleled among whole present canids.It have somewhat narrow thorax, and the dark colour variation on thorax trippant in brighter, more reddish after abdominal side of body. Species possesses large elongated head and long fangs (canines in carnivore mammals), protruding even when muzzle are closed. Along back saliently runing dark streak, meanwhile brighter stain can notice on tail. The number of teeth - 42.
Physical Attributes
Shoulder Height: 25-30 cm
Head and Body Length: 100 cm
Tail Length:30- 35 cm
Weight: 9-10 kg
Diet
This wild dog is mainly flesh-eater. The investigation led in Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru, to such the proportional part of food: fish 28%, insects 17%, small mammals 13%, various fruit 10%, crabs 10%, frogs 4%, reptiles 3%, birds 10% [http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=32 ].
Reproduction and behaviour
Species this presents several characteristic, interesting features. In contrast to all canids and other mammals it have many different, females of this species are about almost 1/3 larger from males. The excited males pay out the graveolence of musk, produce by an aromatic round base of tail glands. It prefers solitary a style of life, in area forest where the also can lead day mode of life. The observations of species were made in captivity with remark begin in wild population, that it avoids humans in natural environment. During first study of investigations this species, the individuals was fearful, with time however they adapted oneself to man. Second stage abounded to swarm in demonstration of hostility and teeth denudation. During excitements of males, hairs rear on back [http://www.duke.edu/~manu/Projects/atelocynus.htm ] Soc. Behaviour. Course of gestation (about two months) or the lifespan was unknowed. It been possible however to accept, that sexual maturity this wild dog achieve in age about first year after the birth [http://www.duke.edu/~manu/Projects/atelocynus.htm ] Rep. and Den. Behaviour. Two young individuals in burrows show litter number of birth, meanwhile period bring up young it be close in dry season.
Threats, Survival and Ecological Concerns
The Short-eared Dog share a rivalry for food with the Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Margay and the Giant Otter, and compete for territory with the Bush Dog.
Feral dogs pose a prominent threat to the population of the Short-eared Dog, as they proliferate the spread of diseases such as canine distemper and rabies to the wild population. Humans also contribute to the extermination of the Short-eared Dog via aggrandizement of the species' natural habitat and the destruction of tropical rainforests. Scientist still little knowledge on his ecology whether pathology. Meeting of ruling's mechanisms can in large degree contribute to rescue this species.
Status of Conservation
Species despite wide dissemination is not continuous along whole range occurrence. It is on letters of protected species in Brazil and Peru. This canid on letter the IUCN it be the made a list as "Data deficient" that is " the lack of data ( the insufficient data)" on the number the population and schedule of species. It is one of rarest representatives of the carnivore mammals. It little know about his biology and behaviour, their coevolution and ecology not to know many and need the more [http://www.procarnivoros.org.br/z_a_cachorro_do_mato.htm ].
Attentions
The Latin name scientific Atelocynus microtis means literally "defective dog about short ears"
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:
Atelocynus microtis microtis, Sclater, 1882.
Atelocynus microtis sclateri, J. A. Allen, 1905
External links
Lioncrusher's Domain -- Small Eared Zorro (Atelocynus microtis) fact and pictures
Animal Diversity Web: Atelocynus microtis
IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group: Small Eared Zorro
Youtube; Video clip on rare Short-eared Dog
Ecology and conservation of the short-eared dog by WildCru
Estacion Biologica Cocha Cashu
References
Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as data deficient.
Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds) Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press. 2005. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
M.R.P Leite Pitman and R.S.R. Williams. Short-eared dog;Atelocynus microtis .C-S. Zubiri, M. Hoffmann and D. W. Macdonald. Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs - 2004 Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN Publications Services Unit, 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, United Kingdom, 2004.
Alderton, David. Foxes, Wolves and Wild Dogs of the World. Blandford Press: United Kingdom, 1998.
Nowak, Ronald. ''Walker's Carnivores of the World''. The Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, 2005.
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