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Study Shows Unusual Evolutionary1 Changes in African Wild Dogs
A study of the African wild dog has identified unusual physical changes that support the animal's ability to run for long periods while hunting prey2.
The African wild dog is native to southern and eastern Africa. It differs from other predators4 – such as lions and hyenas5 - because it uses an unusual hunting method. The animal chases its prey over long distances until the target gets so tired it collapses6. Other animals depend on different hunting skills to catch prey, including speed, strength and quiet, secret movements.
A new study of this endangered animal has identified important changes that happened over time that permit the African wild dog to hunt this way.
The African wild dog is the only dog-like animal that has only four digits8 on the front paws. Scientists say having only four full toes supports increased speed and longer jumps.
The new research identifies a small, hidden first digit7 under the skin of the front feet, or paws. The discovery was made through computer imaging methods and an examination of an African wild dog that died of natural causes at an animal park.
The muscles related to this digit have been re-formed and are used to help with "proprioception" - the body's awareness9 of its position and movement.
The researchers also saw expansions in limb muscles containing nerve tissue thought to resist tiredness. They also identified tissue material on the front paw that may help launch the dogs forward. In addition, the team observed a reduction in muscles that normally act to turn the wrist and forearm, possibly demonstrating an increased demand for stability.
Groups of 20 to 30 African wild dogs often hunt together in search of prey. They can travel up to 50 kilometers a day. The animals have been recorded running at least 64 kilometers an hour for up to an hour during a hunt.
Heather Smith is a researcher at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. Her team completed a study on the findings. The study recently appeared in the publication PeerJ.
Smith told the Reuters news agency, "They're very effective hunters, with up to 60 percent of hunts ending in successful kills." She noted10 that is higher than lions, at 30 percent, and hyenas, at 25-30 percent.
Smith said African wild dogs are clearly built for stamina11 – having strength that lets you continue to do something for a long time. That makes them different from other predators that use explosive speed, strength and stealth.
"However, African wild dogs sometimes lose their kills to these larger, more aggressive carnivores," she said.
Words in This Story
prey – n. an animal that is hunted or killed by another animal for food
predator3 – n. animal that hunts and kills other animals for food
endangered – adj. in danger of being lost
digit – n. a finger, thumb or toe
awareness – n. the knowledge that something exists
limb – n. an arm or leg of a person or animal
stability – n. a situation in which something is not likely to move or change
stealth – n. movement that is quiet and careful in order not to be seen or heard
carnivore – n. an animal that eats meat
1 evolutionary | |
adj.进化的;演化的,演变的;[生]进化论的 | |
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2 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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3 predator | |
n.捕食其它动物的动物;捕食者 | |
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4 predators | |
n.食肉动物( predator的名词复数 );奴役他人者(尤指在财务或性关系方面) | |
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5 hyenas | |
n.鬣狗( hyena的名词复数 ) | |
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6 collapses | |
折叠( collapse的第三人称单数 ); 倒塌; 崩溃; (尤指工作劳累后)坐下 | |
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7 digit | |
n.零到九的阿拉伯数字,手指,脚趾 | |
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8 digits | |
n.数字( digit的名词复数 );手指,足趾 | |
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9 awareness | |
n.意识,觉悟,懂事,明智 | |
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10 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
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11 stamina | |
n.体力;精力;耐力 | |
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