CANIS LUPASTER
(A.K.A. CANIS AUREUS LUPASTER AND N.K.A. CANIS LUPAS LUPASTER)
(a.k.a. The locals in Eritrea referred to the Egyptian jackal as the wucharia which may be their own species, not egyptian.)
MINI SCIENCE RESEARCH ONLINE 2011 – By Marie Antoinette Castelli
The Egyptian Canis lupaster, the one that doesn't know if he's a wolf or a jackal. Photo by Thomas Krumenacker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Jackal - LUPASTER
Disclosure: As I am not a scientist or major in Animal studies, most of this is not originated by me and only collected by me from the various sources listed below in the bibliography. Much of this I did not want to reword or paraphrase too much as I wanted to capture the author of these sources full exact meaning as much as possible so I tried to use quotations and referenced all in the bibliography. This is not my work but my collection of experts work and scientific research of others as found online.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction: 3
II. Purpose Of This Report/Study: 4
III. Current Status and Concerns: 5
IUCN Red List: 5
CITES Appendices: 5
IV. Location: 6
V. Description of Parental Species (Jackal "Canis Aureus"): 7
VI. History: 8
VII. Current Status: 9
VIII. Hunting – The Cause of its CR Status: 9
IX. Export/Trade: 12
"Alternate Associated Parent" Species -Grey wolf (Canis Lupas) 12
X. Captivity: 12
"Captive Bred" study: 12
XI. Past Changes in Status: 13
XII. "Sub-Parent"- Golden jackal(Canis aureus Linnaeus)changes in status 1990 vs 2011: 14
XIII. CSG Project – Reclassification of its own species "CANIS LUPASTER": 14
X1V. New African Wolf Discovered- DNA STUDY 2011 15
XV. Conclusions: 17
CITES: 17
AW: 17
References: 18
CITES Classification Description 18
IUCN Classification Description 18
Bibliograhy: 20
I. Introduction:
"The Egyptian Jackal (Canis aureus lupaster) also known as the Egyptian Wolf, or locally Dib or Deeb الذئب, الديب, is a critically endangered subspecies of Golden Jackal found locally in northern Egypt and northeastern Libya. It once flourished throughout Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula, but hunting has drastically reduced its numbers. This species is native to Egypt, North Africa and possibly other regions. It is large for a golden jackal, and has formerly been recognized by Ferguson (1981) as a small wolf (Canis lupus). Spassov (1989) argued that the Egyptian jackal should be considered a full species, Canis lupaster."
Mythology
The Egyptian Jackal is likely to be the jackal of the jackal-headed god Anubis in Egyptian mythology. Anubis's head is shown with a black appearance, long ears and pointed muzzle. This jackal-god was one of the most important mythic symbols in Ancient Egypt.
Genetic research
Canis aureus lupaster is larger, heavier and with longer limbs than other subspecies of Canis aureus. (Ferguson 1981). The Egyptian Jackal was originally described as C. lupaster. Ferguson argued that this taxon should be considered a small desert wolf, based on cranial, mandible and dental measurements. Skull and tooth characteristics are consistent with this species belonging to the Golden Jackal, with an elongated jaw and a flatter bottom jaw.
A sequence divergence of 4.8% between Egyptian and Israeli jackals suggests that the separation of Canis aureus lupaster as a subspecies may have some grounding. Furthermore, hybridisation was detected in the Egyptian jackal population, indicating introgression events between either jackals and feral dogs, or jackals and Grey Wolf.
In one study, the population genetic structure of the Egyptian golden jackal was investigated and compared to that of golden jackals in Israel, and also to the population genetic structure of wolves in Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Analysis of cytochrome b in mtDNA found that there was no genetic variation within the Egyptian jackal population, nor within the jackal population in Israel, which each displayed single, different haplotypes. This possibly indicates two independent bottleneck events.[1]
On the basis of DNA research, the Egyptian jackal is now classified as a subspecies of the Golden Jackal, not of the Grey Wolf. The former identification as a grey wolf was made due to the animal's characteristic strange profile with long legs, large ears and a wolf-like body.
II. Purpose Of This Report/Study:
To find the reason why the Egyptian Jackal (this particular subspecies of a subspecies(Golden Jackal) is Critically Endangered per the IUCN RedList 2011. Research to be used to Propose any changes or updates to the appendices of CITES at the local CITES Ministry for Proposal to International Secretariat at the next Party Meeting scheduled 2013 (deadline 150 days prior 2012).
Following is the correspondence invitation to produce scientific study and reasoning for any changes to CITES:
From: Marie Antoinette Castelli <>
To: , ,
Cc:
Date: 01/01/2011 19:48
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: REQUEST for addition to Appendices of CITES - endangered animal lists
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 5:29 AM
From:
This sender is DomainKeys verified
"Ragy Toma" <>
To:
"Marie Antoinette Castelli" <>
Dear Marie,
Thank you very much for your e-mail and your efforts to protect the Egyptian Endangered species.
Here I wish to confirm that the importance of the LUPASTER is fully recognized. It is listed in the protected wild animals of Egypt. According to the Egyptian law it is prohibited to capture, hunt or export any of these protected animals including the Jackal/wolf.
At the present time, we are not fully aware about the real situation of the Jackal/wolf population because of lack of studies. Please, you are most welcomed to provide us with any scientific documents which support the conclusion of being Critical Endangered in order to support our recommendation to include it in CITES appendix.
Thanks again & best wishes
General Manager of Wildlife
Dr. Ragy F. Toma
CITES - Secretariat and local Cites representatives,
In addition to my below prior messages requesting proper procedure to request of secretariat input for next party meeting to update the appendices and include Egypt endangered animals that need protection regulation which are not currently mentioned in appendices, I have been studying the wildlife lists in Egypt and was also concerned with one in particular animal not listed that should definately be listed.. the LUPASTER.
The Lupaster is CRITICAL ENDANGERED CR - it is the Egyptian Wolf (or controversially called a Jackal). I think the problem is that LUPASTER is a subscpecies of a subspecies.. some people label it under the golden jackal (canis liaureus linnaeus) which is not redlisted or endangered.. also they list it both under wolf and under jacckal.. (canis aureus lupaster and canis lupus lupaster... ) Currently the only Jackal i see listed in appendices of CITES is canis aureus (LC- india only mentioned) and canis lupus (appendix 2-not critical regulation protection)... not any subspecies are mentioned specifically, which i think subspecies NEED to be listed and regulated since not all subspecies are the same - this LUPASTER is CR. It should list Canis Aureus Lupaster and Canis Lupus Lupaster both as appendix 1- Critical Endangered so no matter which name they paste on the same subspecies it will be regulated as it should be to protect Egyptian Wolves/Jackals.
(also extinct animals should be listed as endangered also, in the case that one shows up to still exist which did happen in the past, it should then be regulated as endangered)
Am currently examining other animals and extinction and endangered status on redlists and elsewhere... to see if any other additions /changes need to be considered for the next party meeting..
Please consider the LUPASTER additions above.. afterall, the Egyptian Jackal is an egyptian trademark.. pharonic.. was a pharonic God and it would be a shame to lose this endangered species that only exists in Egypt. I therefore ask it to be regulated in its export. Animal Welfare groups can then also try to stop its capture and hunting inside Egypt, to further protect it from extinction.
Thank you for your consideration,
Marie
III. Current Status and Concerns:
IUCN Red List:
CANIS AUREUS/CANIS LUPUS- LUPASTER = CRITICAL ENDANGERED
(NOTE: Prior to Jan 7th the above was appearing on IUCN .. but as of today, January 7th 2011 it seems the IUCN Redlist totally removed any and all references to the Lupaster subspecies at all! Suddenly it no longer is listed as CR in this resource, however elsewhere it is and they claim there was not any update to 2010.4 October updates. I'm trying to find all the resources to its CR status.)
CITES Appendices:
CANIS LUPUS (WOLF): APPENDIX 2. (lupaster possibly can pass for this but contradictory and officially per dna belongs now to Jackal not LUPUS species so LUPASTER is not covered fully under this)
CANIS AUREUS: APENDIX 3 (INDIA REQUESTED) – (India regulates import/export international trade of the parent Jackal species all subspecies, not specifically focus on the Lupaster which is critical endangered due to hunting not trade and thus can be overlooked or taken off unintentionally if India removes the parent species (Jackals) from its study and monitoring plans.)
IUNC – parent Golden Jackal (canis aureus):
Threats:
"Over its entire range, except in protected areas like National Parks and Sanctuaries, the jackal population is steadily declining. Traditional land use practices, like livestock rearing and dry farming that were conducive to the survival of jackals and other wildlife, are being steadily replaced by industrialization and intensive agriculture; wilderness areas and rural landscapes are being rapidly urbanized. Jackal populations adapt to some extent to this change and may persist for a while, but eventually disappear from such areas like other wildlife. There are no other known threats, except for local policies of extirpation and poisoning (for example, Israel and Morocco). Jackals may occasionally be hunted as a game species and eaten, as has been recorded in Morocco (F. Cuzin pers. comm. 2007). There is no significant trade in jackal products, although skins and tails are occasionally sold."
Conservation:
"Golden jackals are present in all protected areas of India except for those in the high elevation regions of the Himalayas. In East Africa, they occur in the Serengeti-Masai Mara-Ngorongoro complex, as well as numerous other conservation units. Thus they have a wide coverage in terms of protected populations. The species is included in CITES Appendix III (in India). Jackals feature on Schedule III of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) of India and are afforded the least legal protection (mainly to control trade of pelts and tails). However, no hunting of any wildlife is permitted under the current legal system in India. The golden jackal could be considered as a "species requiring no immediate protection" with caution and knowledge that populations throughout its range are likely declining.
Besides being represented in a wide array of protected areas covering several landscapes, no special species targeted conservation efforts have been undertaken. Almost all zoos in India have golden jackals.
Current or planned research projects include ongoing, long-term studies in the Serengeti, Tanzania; ongoing studies on wolves, jackals, and striped hyaenas in Bhal and Kutch areas of Gujarat, India; and investigation into crop damage, densities and ranging patterns of golden jackals in Bangladesh.
Gaps in knowledge
Little quantitative information is available on jackal densities, habitat use, and ranging patterns in relation to food availability. Information on dispersal, survival and mortality factors of adults, pups and dispersing individuals is needed. Jackal ecology needs to be studied in forested ecosystems of Southeast Asia where a different set of factors are likely to operate affecting food availability, ranging patterns and survival. Aspects of canid diseases in relation to population dynamics of jackals and transmission need to be better understood."
IV. Location:
Number of wolves: about 30-50
Population trend: Stable/Decreasing
Legal protection: No protection
The Egyptian jackal occurs in Egypt, especially in the Western Desert, around the Siwa, Dakhla and Kharga oases, near Cairo, including Gebel Asfar and Dahsur, the Fayoum and the Nile Valley south to Lake Nasser including Wadi Allaqi, in the Nile Delta, around Wadi Natrun, and in the Northern Sinai. There are currently no protection laws regarding this animal in Egypt, and the last estimate was that there remain only 30-50 Egyptian jackals still in existence.
V. Description of Parental Species (Jackal "Canis Aureus"):
The parent Species though not Endangered contains the critical endangered LUPASTER sub-species that we are interested in focus on. Following is information of the parent species that the Lupaster is designated to categorize under and thus the Lupaster is easily ignored due to the parent species being commonly sighted and not endangered status as is the Lupaster under it:
Golden or Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus)
Description. Coat varies with season and region, but is usually a pale gold-brown, or brown tipped yellow. Fur is coarse, and not very long. Dorsal area is black and grey; head, ears, and sides can be rufous. Underside is frequently ginger or nearly white. The tip of the tail is black. There is sexual dimorphism of approximately 15% in body weight. Head-and-body length: 60-106cm. Tail length: 20-30 cm. Shoulder height: 38-50 cm. Weight: 7-15 kg.
Reproduction. Time of mating: Oct.-Nov. (Tanzania occasionally June-July, Moehlman pers. comm.); Feb.-Mar. (USSR);
Oct.-Feb. (Israel). Timed so birth occurs at peak of food abundance (e.g. Thomson's gazelle fawns in the Serengeti, Jan.-
Feb.). Gestation: 63 days. Litter size: 1-9, usually 5-6. Lactation: 8-10 weeks. Age at sexual maturity: 11 months (female);
12 up to 2 years (male) but may delay reproduction. Longevity: 16 years in captivity (Yom-Tov pers. comm.), up to 13 years in the wild (Moehlman pers. comm.).
Social Behaviour. Usually in mated pairs, territorial, territory size 0.5 to 2.5 km2. Helpers (last year's young) can increase reproductive success, but not as much as in the black-backed jackal (Moehlman 1983). In many areas, C. aureus is nocturnal and diurnal, but it becomes strictly nocturnal in areas inhabited by humans. Deviation from usual social organization is found in areas where food is abundant, with up to 20 members in a group and with home range areas of 0.11 km2 (Macdonald 1979).