Coyotes living near cities are bolder: implications for dog evolution and human-wildlife conflict
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Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Abstract
How animal populations adapt to human modified landscapes is central to understanding modern behavioural evolution and improving wildlife management. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have adapted to human activities and thrive in both rural and urban areas. Bolder coyotes showing reduced fear of humans and their artefacts may have an advantage in urban environments. We analysed the reactions of 636 coyotes to novel human artefacts (camera traps) at 575 sites across the state of North Carolina. Likelihood of a coyote approaching the camera increased with human housing density suggesting that urban coyotes are experiencing selection for boldness and becoming more attracted to human artefacts. This has implications for both human-wildlife conflict and theories of dog domestication. We also note physical traits in coyotes that could be the result of domestication-related selection pressures, or dog hybridization.
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Coyotes living near cities are bolder: implications for dog evolution and human-wildlife conflict
In: BehaviourSearch for other papers by James Brooks in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Roland Kays in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
Search for other papers by Brian Hare in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
How animal populations adapt to human modified landscapes is central to understanding modern behavioural evolution and improving wildlife management. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have adapted to human activities and thrive in both rural and urban areas. Bolder coyotes showing reduced fear of humans and their artefacts may have an advantage in urban environments. We analysed the reactions of 636 coyotes to novel human artefacts (camera traps) at 575 sites across the state of North Carolina. Likelihood of a coyote approaching the camera increased with human housing density suggesting that urban coyotes are experiencing selection for boldness and becoming more attracted to human artefacts. This has implications for both human-wildlife conflict and theories of dog domestication. We also note physical traits in coyotes that could be the result of domestication-related selection pressures, or dog hybridization.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 3729 | 674 | 49 |
| Full Text Views | 602 | 142 | 16 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 866 | 207 | 22 |