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　　The lone¹ wolf’s howl has long been chosen as a symbol of melancholy² and loss. Now researchers have demonstrated that the choice was accurate. Howling is not related to the stress level of the crying canine³ or the dominance status of the departing wolf; the best predictor of a wolf’s howl is the closeness of the howler’s relationship with the wolf leaving its side. The study is in the journal Current Biology.

　　The researchers separated individuals living in Austria’s Wolf Science Center. They recorded the resulting howls for 20 minutes after separation. Then the scientists took a sample of saliva⁴ from the howling wolves to measure circulating levels of cortisol, a hormonal⁵ stress indicator⁶.

　　Cortisol levels increased during all separations, whether a preferred partner or any other pack mate was taken away. But howling was much more pronounced when a close partner was removed

　　The researchers thus concluded that the level of howling was determined⁷ by the relationship of the howler with the separated wolf, regardless of the removed wolf’s rank. Because even a wolf, apparently⁸, can have a best friend.

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1 lone
adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的
参考例句：
A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。 She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。

2 melancholy
n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的
参考例句：
All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。 He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过，他感到很郁闷。

3 canine
adj.犬的，犬科的
参考例句：
The fox is a canine animal.狐狸是犬科动物。 Herbivorous animals have very small canine teeth,or none.食草动物的犬牙很小或者没有。

4 saliva
n.唾液，口水
参考例句：
He wiped a dribble of saliva from his chin.他擦掉了下巴上的几滴口水。 Saliva dribbled from the baby's mouth.唾液从婴儿的嘴里流了出来。

5 hormonal
adj.激素的
参考例句：
Some viral diseases are more severe during pregnancy, probably tecause of hormonal changes. 有些病毒病在妊娠期间比较严重，可能是由于激素变化引起的。 She underwent surgical intervention and a subsequent short period of hormonal therapy. 他接受外科手术及随后短暂荷尔蒙治疗。

6 indicator
n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器
参考例句：
Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。 His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

7 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

8 apparently
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
参考例句：
An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。 He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。