Unique anatomy helps the African wild dog sustain its life on the run
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[September 09, 2020]
By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The African wild dog
distinguishes itself from rival predators like lions and hyenas by using
the unique hunting style of chasing prey over long distances until the
target collapses from exhaustion, instead of relying upon speed,
strength or stealth.
A comprehensive new anatomical study of this endangered species, also
known as the African painted dog or Cape hunting dog, has identified
crucial evolutionary adaptations for endurance running in the animal's
forelimb bones, muscles and ligaments that help sustain its life on the
run.
Close-knit nomadic packs of 20 to 30 African wild dogs, native to
southern and eastern Africa, hunt prey including antelopes such as
impalas, gazelles and kudus using complex coordinated strategies, often
traveling up to 30 miles (50 kilometers) daily.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2020/Sep/09/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png)
Using their technique called "exhaustive predation," they have been
documented running 40 mph (64 kph) for up to an hour chasing prey.
"They're very effective hunters with up to 60% of hunts ending in
successful kills, which is higher than lions, at 30%, and hyenas, at
25-30%," said anatomist Heather Smith of Midwestern University in
Glendale, Arizona, who led the research published this week in the
journal PeerJ.
These dogs are the only canid - the group spanning dogs, wolves, foxes
and related animals - with only four full digits on the front paws.
Having only four full toes facilities increased speed and stride length.
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![](../images/090920pics/news_L21.jpg)
Critically endangered African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) hunt a Bush
buck in the Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site, in
northern Zimbabwe November 7, 2009. REUTERS/Howard Burditt/File
Photo
![](../images/ads/current/fitzpatrick_lda_SPONSOR_2017.png)
But the researchers, using CT-scans and dissection of an African
wild dog that died of natural causes at a zoo, discovered a
diminutive vestigial first digit underneath the skin of the forepaw.
The muscles associated with this digit have been reconfigured and
repurposed, assisting with "proprioception" - the body's perception
of its position and movement.
The researchers also discovered expansions in limb muscles that
contain lots of "slow-twitch" fibers resistant to fatigue and
identified a forepaw ligament that may act like a spring to propel
the dogs forward. They also observed a reduction in muscles that
normally act to rotate the wrist and forearm, illustrating an
increased demand for stability.
These dogs are built for stamina, unlike rival predators that use
bursts of speed (cheetahs), strength (lions) and stealth (leopards).
"However, African wild dogs sometimes lose their kills to these
larger, more aggressive carnivores," Smith said.
(Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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