Disentangling canid howls across multiple species and subspecies: Structure in a complex communication channel.

摘要: Wolves, coyotes, and other canids are members of a diverse genus top predators considerable conservation management interest. Canid howls long-range communication signals, used both for territorial defence group cohesion. Previous studies have shown that can encode individual identity. However, no comprehensive study has investigated the nature variation in canid across wide range species. We analysed database over 2000 recorded from 13 different species subspecies. applied quantitative similarity measure to compare modulation pattern populations, then an unsupervised clustering algorithm into natural units distinct howl types. found subspecies showed markedly use types, indicating is not arbitrary, but be distinguish one population another. give example importance these findings by comparing critically endangered red wolves those sympatric coyotes Canis latrans, with whom may hybridise, potentially compromising reintroduced wolf populations. believe cross-species comparisons such as provide important understanding socially cooperative species, well support