The golden jackals found in Africa, Europe the Middle East and
Asia have long been considered the same species, thanks to their physical
features and behavior.
Apparently,
looks can be deceiving.
Extensive DNA
analysis, backed up by previous studies, shows that the population consists of
two species of genetically distinct lineage, one of which was previously
unknown to scientists,according to a
report published this week.
The slender,
short-muzzled Eurasian golden jackal with reddish-brown fur that we've always
known goes by Canis aureus. Even though they resemble Canis aureus, those found
in Africa have more genetically in common with gray wolves, leading researchers
to propose a new scientific name: the African golden wolf, or Canis anthus.
The discovery
marks the first new canid species in Africa in 150 years, according to theSmithsonian
Conservation Biology Institute. A canid is a member of Canidae, the
biological family for dogs, wolves and other such mammals.
A team of
researchers, led by SCBI scientist Klaus-Peter Koepfli, published their
findings Thursday in Current Biology.
The team said the discovery was "surprising" given the
absence of gray wolves in Africa and the difference in observable physical and
biochemical characteristics between the two species.
To test the
distinct-species hypothesis and understand the evolutionary history that would
produce this result, researchers analyzed extensive genomic data, including
mitochondrial genome sequences and whole-genome nuclear sequences, in African
and Eurasian golden jackals and gray wolves.
Their research
provided "consistent and robust evidence" that the African gray
wolves and Eurasian golden jackals have been distinct for more than 1 million
years, the report said, despite similarities in their body size and cranial
structure.
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