Evolution of the Canis Lupus

The evolution of Canis Lupus

Sub-specie #4

The grey wolf is thought to be the branched off specie of the Miacis Cognitus, ~30 million years ago. The Miacis Cognitus is the ancestor of the group of Canidae.

Canis Lupus Familiaris -Dog

The subspecie of Canis Lupus Familiaris itelf contains many different species as well. Generally they are widely used to assist human activity: working, hunting, guarding etc.

Based on different ecological variations in habitats ranging from the Arctic to Tundras, the subspecies of the Grey wolf have displayed distinct characteristic that maximizes their chances of survival (predation, body temperature) in their respective environments.

They are commonly found in places in association with human habitats, i.e farms or households etc.

Speciation

Body Size

The familiaris subspecies has a skull that is 20% smaller, as well as a smaller brain and teeth than other wolf subspecies.

This may be due to it's living environment with humans, which does not require as much hunting, camouflaging physical traits. E.g their diet is provided and designed by humans. Usually in packages, and does not require the dog to rip/slash meat off their prey, resulting in smaller teeth.

Size and shape of feet.

The paws of a Canis Lupus Familiaris are half the size of those of a wolf. Wolves have extra large feet, with two large protruding front toes. But the familiaris has smaller and rounded feet.

This may also be due to its living environment, which does not require the specie to have a strong grip onto the ground, resulting in the change of shape in their feet.

Sub-specie #3

Canis Lupus Dingo

Location

The Canis lupus dingo is commonly found throughout Australia, Thailand. and areas across Southeast Asia.

Speciation

Pointed Ear shape.

Habitat: Forests, plains and mountainous rural areas.

Their ears are in the shape of a erect triangle, this improves the Dingo's hearing while hunting, as part of its diet contains small animals such as mice or lizards. It is also for more effective heat loss in warmer habitats, as Dingos cannot sweat apart from their paws and ears.

Short Fur Length.

Fur color.

The dingo’s fur is short, apart from their bushy tail. This helps them dingo to stay cooler under high temperatures, by absorbing the minimum amount of heat as possible. This is important because the Dingos cannot sweat apart from their paws and ears, therefore minimizing heat absorption is crucial.

The fur color of the dingo is of light brown. This is for protection against predators, allowing the dingo to blend into its surroundings, resulting in a higher chance of survival, by hiding from its predators, i.e the Wedge tailed eagle.

Evolution of the Canis Lupus

Sub-specie #2

Canis Lupus Arctos

-The Arctic wolf

Location

Most widely North America, Alaska and Greenland, but does not extend into mainland Europe or Asia.

Speciation

Small Ears

Compared to other subspecies in the South, arctic wolves have relatively smaller ears.

~80cm

This is to reduce the surface area that leads to lose heat and allows them to conserve more heat energy within their bodies, in order to survive in cold weather conditions.

Habitat: Environments with low temperature - Arctic Tundra

100-180cm

Thickness and color of fur .

Arctic wolf have thick and highly insulating. There are 2, the inner and outer layers of fur, that are distinct features to the arctic wolf.

Fur on Paws.

Their paws are adapted to contain fur. This is to insulate them from snow, maintaining body temperature and also provides for a better grip on slippery surfaces such as ice.

The inner is shorter and softer hairs for insulation and the outer has longer and snow-proof fur that thickens as temperature decreases.

The colors are primarily white or grey.

There is a feature in the paws of arctic wolves that keeps their feet at lower temperatures than the body, this is to minimize heat loss due to contact with the ground.

Sub-specie #1

Canis Lupus Baileyi

- The Mexican Wolf

Location

One of the smallest subspecies in size. The Mexican gray wolves prefer mountain forests and grasslands .

Initially they ranged from central Mexico throughout the southwestern U.S. However today it only ranges from Eastern Arizona and New Mexico.

Speciation

Light Brown/ Mixed Colored fur.

~140cm

Mixed colored fur between black, brown and white allows the Mexican wolf to camouflage in their habitat- forested areas. This could be done by the using similar colored grass as protection while hunting for prey, such as deers and elk. The color adaption of their fur increases chances of success with predation.

Habitat: Dry with very little rainfall and hot weather conditions. Able to withstand hot weather and scarce water.

~80cm

The senses.

Relatively long legs and a sleek body.

Having long legs and a sleek body allows the Mexican wolf to run faster, which is necessary while hunting for prey in their grassland habitat, as their targets are also species that can travel in relatively high speed, e.g deers.

The Mexican wolf has adaptations to their teeth and noses, i.e sharp canine teeth and large nose. Their canine teeth and molars are adapted to puncture and slash skin and meat off their pray. Their molars are designed to crush hard bones.

Their larger nose provides a keen smelling sense, that assists the Mexican wolf in detecting prey from further distances, essential in their habitat in grasslands.

It also has a larger stomach than other subspecies, which is adapted to store food, enabling the wolves to survive without food for up to two weeks.