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The random encounter model (REM) for estimating population densities of unmarked species using camera traps is increasingly used and very popular. Main reason is that it requires relatively low human effort and can be used for unmarked or nocturnal species. In this study, we applied REM to estimate the population density of the mesocarnivorous golden jackal (Canis aureus) in an area near Senj in Croatia. This species is rapidly spreading, leading to increase in conflicts with humans, and the data on population densities are very scarce. We systematically placed 22 camera traps in a 25 km2 Mediterranean habitat at the intersections of 1.5-km grid cells and kept them active for 12 months (April 2022 – April 2023) during the entire 24-hour period. All REM parameters (i.e., average movement speed, angle, and radius) were estimated using just camera trap data. The golden jackal was recorded at 21 locations in 582 independent events from 4941 camera-trapping days. The average activity level during the whole period was 55% (i.e., golden jackals were active for 13.2 h per day). Activity patterns did not differ between seasons, being predominantly nocturnal and highest between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. Over the entire period, the average number of detections per camera was 27.7, the average detection distance was 5.0 m ± 0.1 SE, the movement speed was 1.6 km/h ± 0.2 SE, and the distance travelled was 20.5 km/day ± 2.5 SE. Population density determined by REM was 1.5 individuals/km2 ± 0.4 SE during the whole study period and did not vary greatly between seasons (it was the lowest in winter). Our density estimates are comparable to the unpublished field reports from the region but were obtained with less human effort than field observation. If these estimates are confirmed by the density estimates obtained by the traditional methods, it would confirm the usability of REM as a relatively low effort method for obtaining proper density estimates for elusive species in unapproachable habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining species within the Canidae family is challenging due to morphological convergence, behavioral plasticity, traditional taxonomic limitations, and possible hybridisation. This challenge is timely with the recent population and range expansion of the golden jackal (Canis aureus). Exploring their morphological data and sexual dimorphism is essential for identifying factors driving their success in new habitats. The proven hybridization of golden jackals with dogs and wolves may affect species description, population dynamics, and genetic diversity, impacting conservation strategies. This study, for the first time, conducts a morphometric analysis of golden jackals in Somogy County, Hungary, to prove sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in body and skull and sexual shape dimorphism (SShD) in skull across juvenile and adult age groups. 719 golden jackals (362 females and 357 males) were collected between January 2021 and January 2023. Descriptive statistics revealed significant SSD in body and skull measurements among both age groups, with males generally larger than females, particularly in body mass (11.72% in juveniles and 13.37% in adults). Most skull dimensions differed significantly between sexes and age groups, except for foramen magnum height, foramen magnum width, and postorbital breadth among juveniles and foramen magnum height and postorbital breadth among adults. We used principal component analyses (PCA) on raw dimension data and the log shape ratio method to extract shape information. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) explored skull SShD between sexes. Notably, our study achieved over 71% accuracy in sex classification, illustrating the clear presence of SShD of the skull in golden jackals across both age groups. Our study provides a comprehensive database of golden jackals in the overpopulated Hungarian habitat, which will be helpful for further research on ecology, behavior, and conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is remarkably flexible in terms of behaviour. This is advantageous to the range expansion of the species to northern and western Europe. Despite the widespread distribution of the golden jackal, many aspects of its behaviour are still poorly known. In this study, we have aimed to improve our general understanding of golden jackal social behaviour by monitoring one family group of a unique insular population living on Samos (Greece) using camera trap data over a study period of 9 months. Successful identification of individual golden jackals based on visual characteristics, determination of the dominance hierarchy and social network analyses has allowed us to gain insights into the group's social organisation, mating system and social structure determined by social relationships. We revealed the studied family group to be relatively stable, consisting of a dominant adult pair and one or two generations of their offspring. Some major changes occurred during the breeding season in terms of social behaviour, group composition and structure. A total of six pups were born, which were cared for by both dominant adults as well as one male and one female yearling who stayed as helpers at the nest. Both the dominant female and the female yearling showed signs of lactation, suggesting either a case of pseudopregnancy or allonursing. Using non‐invasive methods combined with individual identification based on coat colouration patterns, this research contributes to our understanding of the social behaviour of the golden jackal population on Samos in Europe and, by extension, of the species as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the period 2023-2024, on the territory of the "Sinite Kamani" Nature Park, Eastern Stara Planina, Bulgaria, the circadian and spatial activity overlap of selected predator mammals was analyzed. The aim of the study is to determine whether niche segregations are observed in the spatial and temporal relationships between mutually competing predators inhabiting the same habitats. The red fox and the badger showed the highest degree of temporal overlap - 85%. The fox and the Martes sp. showed 75% of temporal overlap, while the red fox and Felis sp. showed a lower degree overlap - 62 %. The golden jackal and the Felis sp. showed the lowest interspecific temporal overlap too - 62%. The Felis sp. and Martes sp. showed 63% temporal overlap. The Felis sp. and the badger showed 61% temporal overlap. The temporal overlap between the jackal with the red fox and the badger showed similarity temporal overlap - 71% with red fox and 74% with the badger. The golden jackal and the Martes sp. showed 68 % the of temporal overlap. The badger and the Martes sp. showed 77 % the of temporal overlap. Similar to diurnal activity, a high degree of overlap was found in spatial activity, and avoidance of one predator species to another was not found. In the conducted research, no niche segregation was found in the spatial and temporal ecological niche in the predator species with a similar food spectrum. These results provided insights for the better management of the species in the protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In addition to infecting domestic dogs, Hepatozoon canis affects a large number of wild canids, such as foxes, jackals, and wolves, that can serve as reservoirs for this pathogen. In this study, we focused on the prevalence of H. canis, its genetic diversity, and its distribution in golden jackals on the territory of Serbia. At the same time, this is the first study in which a high genetic diversity of four sequence types (S4–S7) of H. canis has been found in golden jackals. In addition, a high prevalence rate was found, with 78.95% of animals testing positive for H. canis. Genetic analysis revealed variability at four positions, resulting in four different sequence types in golden jackals. Animals can become infected through the ingestion of infected ticks or by consuming infected prey, as well as transplacentally, from mother to offspring; what it could testify to 6/15 positive juvenile jackals. Additional research is crucial for elucidating transmission mechanisms, pinpointing potential sources of infection, and comprehending the ramifications of this pathogen for wild carnivores. Hepatozoon canis is a protozoan tick-borne parasite infecting domestic and wild canids, including foxes, wolves, and jackals. It is mainly found in dogs but has also been detected in several wild carnivores, including foxes, wolves, and jackals. Host transmission primarily occurs through the ingestion of infected ticks, typically Rhipicephalus sanguineus, with documented instances of transplacental transmission from infected females to cubs. In Serbia, the golden jackal is common throughout the country, and its population has increased in recent years. Previous research has documented the presence of several vector-borne pathogens in the jackal population in Serbia, so we conducted this study to determine the presence, prevalence, and genetic variability of H. canis. Over eleven years (2010–2020), 114 animal samples were collected from 23 localities in Serbia. A total of 90/114 (78.95%) jackals were positive for H. canis, and they came from 22 localities. Among 15 juveniles, almost half (6/15 (40%)) tested positive for H. canis. In addition to the high prevalence, high genetic variability of the pathogen was also found. According to the mutated positions, four sequence types (S4–S7) of H. canis were determined. Based on our earlier research on the grey wolf and on this study, it can be observed that various sequence types of H. canis circulate within wild canid populations in Serbia. The prevalence of H. canis infection in wild carnivores raises significant concerns for wildlife conservation and animal health. Infected animals may act as reservoirs for the disease, posing a potential risk to domestic animals by acting as a source of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports the first record of the golden jackal Canis aureus in Pskov oblast, the stable populations of which are known in neighboring countries—Estonia and Belarus. The species diagnostics was confirmed by morphological and molecular genetic methods. Both craniometric features and an mtDNA marker indicate the probable origin of the hunted animal from populations that settled in Eastern Europe at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries. Two species of parasitic worms of medical and veterinary significance were identified in the golden jackal. The appearance of a new representative in multispecies communities of Canidae can lead to profound restructuring of existing biotic relationships. Monitoring of the C. aureus invasion process in northwestern Russia is necessary. Measures to control the spread of the invasive species have been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taurus Mountains in the Mediterranean Coastal Basin, considered a biodiversity hotspot, have a rich biodiversity in the Western Palearctic. The number of marble quarries in the Taurus Mountains has dramatically expanded over the past ten years. The objectives of this study are to (i) determine the impacts of quarrying on wildlife and (ii) determine the potential impacts of quarrying on the future of Taurus. A total of 57,547 photos and video images were analyzed on 5447 photo-trap days in two areas, the marble quarries and the control areas. Using 97 randomly selected marble quarries, the area they cover and their annual growth rates were determined. The most commonly seen animals were the wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), lynx (Lynx lynx), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in the control area, and the jackal (Canis aureus) and hare (Lepus europaeus) in the marble quarries (p < 0.001). Additionally, we found a significant positive correlation between the distance from the geographical center of the marble quarries and the number of dates of wolf, fox and wild boar sightings, with a significant negative correlation for hares (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the area of marble quarries and the duration of operation (R = 0.89, p < 0.00). The waste from quarries, which makes up 79.7% of the total land used for this purpose, is the greatest cause of habitat degradation. According to calculations, even if no new marble quarries are built as of right now, 7.14% of the Taurus Mountains may have disappeared by the year 2027, and by the year 2032, 8.25% of the Taurus ecosystems may have disappeared completely. The Taurus Mountains, a center of Western Palearctic biodiversity, are being threatened by marble quarries. This study advances our knowledge of how marble quarries may affect wildlife. New strategies must be developed as soon as possible to protect the Taurus Mountains, the hotspot of the Mediterranean basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the golden jackal Canis aureus has experienced a population increase in many European countries, including Croatia. As a result, human-jackal conflicts (e.g., damage to livestock and wildlife, general nuisance in (sub)urban areas) have increased dramatically, and there is an urgent need to develop and use a range of mitigation tools that also aim to control population growth. Hunting is one of the well-known tools for population control; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of habitat type and weather conditions on jackal hunting success. From 2019 to 2023, a total of 217 jackals were culled during 106 hunting events in an approximately 10,500 ha lowland habitat along the Sava River in central Croatia. All jackals (56% males and 44% females) were culled using small calibre rifle (222 Remington) with night vision scope. Based on age structure, 16% juveniles and 84% adults were shot, and the average catch per unit effort (CPUE) was 2.0 animals/day. The best hunting success was obtained by attracting jackals with a calling method, i.e., by playing the sound of a wounded hare. Regarding the type of habitat, 56% of the culls were in cultivated, non-forested areas. It was confirmed that weather conditions, i.e., daily temperature and precipitation, influence hunting success, especially for males. Hunting success of adult males was lower on days with higher temperatures and on days with more precipitation. We can state that individual hunting with using calling method is an effective tool for successful golden jackals harvesting; moreover, jackal hunting can minimize the conflict with gamekeepers and farmers and would help to improve public perception of jackals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on the abundance, activity patterns, and suitable habitats of the selected wild mammal species in Ob Khan National Park, Chiang Mai Province, representing the northern conservation area of the country, was conducted using camera traps between August 2021 and July 2022. The study results from 4,304 trap-nights revealed at least nine species of mammals. These included wild boar (Sus scrofa), followed by golden jackal (Canis aureus), red muntjac (Muntiacus muntjac), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), northern serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), northern tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and murid species. Most of the wildlife activity occurred during nighttime. The factors influencing the presence of the wildlife species that could be analyzed include three species: red junglefowl, common palm civet, and wild boar. The average percent contribution indicated that climate variables have the highest influence, particularly rainfall, followed by land cover variables and topographic variables. It was found that the factors influencing the presence of the three species do not differ. It also was found that more than 90% of the study area is classed as moderately suitable and less suitable for the wildlife. Therefore, management efforts should focus on highly suitable areas, including the conservation of the mixed deciduous and pine forests, while water source enhancement for wildlife conservation should be protected and improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The golden jackal continues to slowly inhabit the north of Central Polissia and to disperse. Mostly single individuals are found. The social structure of the jackal is flexible and groups of more than two individuals are found in places of food concentration. A similar situation occurred in the Ubort River valley near the Ukrainian–Belarusian border, when visual encounters of jackal family consisting of probably 3–4 animals were very frequent near the burial place of livestock corpses. In the north of Central Polissia of Ukraine, the jackal has been recorded since 2014. The species is rare here. According to the registration of tracks, this predator is found on a less forested forest ridge between the settlements of Ovruch–Velidnyky–Slovechno–Levkovychi and in the valley of the Uborti River, which is a natural corridor of the species’ northward dispersal. Given Ukraine’s course towards EU membership and the position of the Baltic countries on the jackal, our country will obviously have to take into account the special status of the jackal as a species that has expanded its range on its own. Accordingly, this predator should not be considered an invasive species. Obviously, the problem with the jackal in forested regions of north of Ukraine will be much less severe than in the south in the floodplains of large rivers. In the Polissia, in trophically rich broadleaf forests with mosaic forest cover, the jackal is likely to coexist successfully with the wolf. Interspecific relations between wolves and jackals do not take the form of direct pursuit, but rather by marking territory. It has been found that jackals respond to chemical and visual markings of wolves during dispersal and try to quickly leave areas with high wolf population density. Unlike solitary wolves in the wild, solitary jackals are able to forage for food much more efficiently and therefore have a higher chance of survival in the wild. The preconceived notion of the jackal as a problematic species may not allow for an unbiased assessment of its impact on ecosystems. In its relations with humans, the jackal in the Polissia is a less problematic species compared to wolves, foxes, or American minks. It is necessary to inform the Ukrainian public, authorities and politicians about existing international legal instruments and European experience in managing populations of carnivorous mammals, including the golden jackal.

Wildlife rabies has been well controlled in Israel due to regular oral rabies vaccine (ORV) campaigns targeting the primary rabies reservoirs, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackals (Canis aureus). During 2017, a rabies outbreak was detected in golden jackals in the Jezreel and Hama'ayanot Valleys covering approximately 500 km2 area in Israel's Northern District. From October 2017 to March 2018, 68 of 93 (73%) reported rabies cases were golden jackals and the majority were juveniles of less than 1 year of age. Unusually high jackal population densities in the region (>80 animals/km2), with a large proportion of juveniles born after the autumn ORV campaign, fueled the outbreak to a peak of 19 reported cases during January 2018. Two high-density ORV campaigns (one during October 2017 and another during March 2018) targeted jackal habitat with bait densities up to 200 baits/km2. In addition to routine November and January baiting cycles, additional ORV baits were deployed during the summer months (July-October) to increase bait uptake by the unvaccinated juveniles. Due to an abundance of aquaculture in the area, bait acceptance studies were performed to confirm sufficient vaccine uptake. As high ambient temperatures conditions are common in the outbreak area, thermostability studies were conducted prior to these campaigns to determine whether the vaccinia-vectored recombinant oral vaccine was suitable for use under extreme weather conditions. Geographically and demographically targeted ORV distribution, paired with population control through focused culling, followed by enhanced rabies surveillance and rapid laboratory testing of suspect wildlife cases, contributed to rapid outbreak control by late March 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years an increasing interest has been focused on the contribution of wildlife in ecology and evolution of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The aim of this study was to molecularly investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in organ samples from a golden jackal (Canis aureus) found dead in the Marche region (Central Italy). Samples from lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and intestine were investigated by PCRs targeting the following genes: tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(D), tet(E), tet(G), tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tet(O), tet(S), tet(P), tet(Q), tet(X), sul1, sul2, sul3, blaCTX−M, blaSHV, blaTEM, and mcr-1 to mcr-10. One or more ARGs were detected in all organs tested, except the spleen. Specifically, the lung and liver were positive for tet(M) and tet(P), the kidney for mcr-1 and the intestine for tet(A), tet(L), tet(M), tet(O), tet(P), sul3 and blaTEM−1. These results, according to the opportunistic foraging strategy of the jackal, confirm its potential role as a good bioindicator of AMR environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first ever photographic evidence of mangeinfested Golden Jackal Canis aureus from Panna Tiger Reserve, central India. The infected animals were photo-captured during the ongoing camera trap sampling in 2019 as a part of a long-term study on the ecology of reintroduced tigers and co-predators. This new record triggers wildlife health and monitoring issues and, subsequently, the importance of restricting the disease outbreak and treatment measures among other associated species within the protected area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe European large carnivore community is recently showing positive trends. Beyond those, other species are expanding in Europe. In recent decades, the golden jackal (Canis aureus), a medium-sized canid, has rapidly expanded to western and northern Europe, after being historically confined to the Balkans. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), an apex predator once widely distributed throughout Europe, was nearly eradicated in the 19th century. Recent reintroductions, legal protection, and its natural expansion brought the lynx to recover, though some populations still face extinction. As the carnivores’ community across Europe is rearranging, ecological interactions are changing as well. Indeed, recent observations reported the golden jackal to kleptoparasitize the lynx. Our research aims to predict the potentially suitable habitats for the golden jackal and the Eurasian lynx, detailing the areas where those are expected to coexist soon.MethodsWe model their distribution in Europe for current and future scenarios, using both citizen-science and literature data, using the latter to buffer the possible biases of the former. For this aim, we included not only climatic variables, but also several biotic and abiotic predictors relevant to both species. Moreover, given his strong influence on the golden jackal, we compare our results with the predicted distribution of the grey wolf (Canis lupus).ResultsOur predictions show an increase in habitat suitability for the golden jackal, while an opposite trend is predicted for the Eurasian lynx. Also, we predict the target species to share a large portion of their range in the future, with most of these areas suitable for wolves, too.DiscussionOur results may have several impacts in the context of large-scale management, helping to predict further expansion of the golden jackal, and to identify critical areas for lynx conservation, supporting the management of possible reintroductions, also shedding light on the large carnivores’ changing community

Golden jackal (Canis aureus) has dramatically increased its distribution and abundance in Europe. Expansion is now reaching parts of Central, Northern, and Western Europe, where jackal occurrences are mainly limited to vagrants or single territorial groups. Currently, it is hard to predict future development of jackal populations in these regions, as it remains unclear whether environmental conditions here could enable population growth similar to the jackal core areas in the South-eastern Europe. We used a combination of a literature review, opportunistically collected data and systematic acoustic surveys to study historic development of golden jackal population in Slovenia, a Central European country that jackals started colonizing 70 years ago and which could serve as a model for other countries at the expansion frontier due to its resemblance in environmental conditions. After the initial expansion waves reached Slovenia in the 1950s and 1980s, jackal presence became more permanent since 2000s. This is also the period when first territorial groups and reproductions were confirmed, but it was not until the following decade for the number of records to start exhibiting an exponential growth. By 2016–2017, the minimum densities in lowlands reached 0.06–0.29 jackal territorial groups/10 km2, which is still lower compared to the core areas in the Balkans and the Pannonian Basin. This study demonstrates that jackals can successfully colonize and spread across a forested Central-European country with lower availability of anthropogenic food resources, although in such conditions, it can take several decades of sporadic existence before population progresses into exponential growth similar to jackal populations in the European core areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic dogs have been predicted to be a high risk to 10 % of mammal and 11 % of bird species across mainland Southeast Asia. Within Thailand their population is estimated at over 12 million and 80 % live in rural areas where they adopt a free-ranging lifestyle. This lifestyle enables them to enter protected forests without restrictions. To access the spatial and temporal impacts domestic dogs have on local wildlife a two-year camera trap study was undertaken in a fragmented forest complex in Northern Thailand. Co-occurrence modelling was used to estimate the impacts of domestic dogs on a native predator (golden jackal) and prey (green peafowl) specie’s occurrence probability. Temporal segregation was accessed using activity pattern overlaps and compared to Huai Kha Khaeng, a more protected and unfragmented forest complex. Although the results from the co-occurrence models did not find any spatial segregation, it was found that temporal avoidance was occurring in the protected areas with domestic dogs and golden jackal having a clear temporal niche, this temporal separation was lessened in the unfragmented forest. Additionally, over 3x more humans were independently photographed than any other species and 2.5x more domestic dogs were independently photographed than golden jackal in the fragmented protected areas. Ultimately, working in partnership with the local community on approaches that will reduce domestic dogs presence in the forest is essential along with a stringent population management plan in order to lower the number of free-ranging dogs in the area.

In the last decade, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of scientific publications on the ecology of the golden jackal Canis aureus, whereas information on its reproductive biology is still scanty, and the basic reproductive parameters of the species are not yet fully understood. In 2021, we began a research project in North-Eastern Italy, where the golden jackal is strictly protected under the National Law, to investigate the species behavioural ecology and reproductive biology at the den site, as a key element for defining conservation measures. Within this project, we documented allosuckling behaviour, possibly related to the breeding of two females within the same social unit, with den sharing and communal nursing of the cubs. Our observations open new scenarios and raise questions on the reproductive biology and social organisation of the golden jackal, stimulating further topics for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) has rapidly expanded its distribution throughout Europe. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the jackal has also been found to have increased its range, while establishing a core population in the northern lowlands of the country. This core population has been augmented by individuals from Serbia and Croatia, indicating an ongoing gene flow between the neighboring regions. Given the lack of comprehensive population-genetic data in the country, we aimed to produce the first information on jackal genetic diversity and population structure. We analyzed 24 autosomal microsatellite loci and found moderately high genetic diversity (Na = 5.83, Ho = 0.56, He = 0.59) in 48 jackals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, comparable to most other European populations. Analyses of population structure revealed two genetic clusters (K = 2) with an uncertain spatial pattern. Given the continuing expansion of its populations throughout Europe, the distribution of golden jackal is gradually overlapping with that of humans and other Canidae. Consequently, conflicts are steadily increasing, as are additional concerns regarding potential hybridization with dogs and wolves. This study is therefore a valuable contribution to the understanding of future actions and measures that should be established for jackals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The permanent breeding range of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Europe was restricted to the Black Sea coast and Balkans in the 1960s. From the 1980s, a rapid and steady increase of the species occurrence has been documented throughout Europe. The observations of single individuals prevail, the proofs of breeding family groups are much more scarce. Here we present the second evidence of golden jackal breeding in Central Bohemia (Czech Republic) which took place near Dlouhá Lhota, about 50 km south of Prague, in 2022. Photographic evidence of adults and two cubs was made with the help of camera traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional locality records for the golden jackal from Saudi Arabia are given based on camera trappings and a roadkill, along with an updated map of its distribution. Considering the limited distribution of this species, and due to indiscriminate killing of canids in Saudi Arabia, this species should receive high priority for protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to present and compare the sounds produced by the representatives of the family Canidae, in particular the genus Canis, in terms of their amplitude and frequency characteristics. The results show that the power generated by the vocal apparatus of wolves is the greatest, compared to that of the domestic dog and the jackal, in which they are the lowest, presented in dB. The reflected values for the frequency characteristic of the sound signals in these three representatives of the genus Canis are inversely related - highest in jackals, again average in dogs and lowest in wolves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Canis aureus; Canis familiaris; Eucoleus; genetic identification; Taeniidae; Toxocara canis; Toxocara cati; Trichuris; Uncinaria stenocephala; Vulpes vulpes; zoonotic parasites EN Canis aureus Canis familiaris Eucoleus genetic identification Taeniidae Toxocara canis Toxocara cati Trichuris Uncinaria stenocephala Vulpes vulpes zoonotic parasites 1565 1574 10 11/08/22 20221001 NES 221001 Introduction Humans are altering ecosystems on a scale never seen before, which has led to problems from high environmental pollution and biodiversity loss to outbreaks of infectious diseases (McMahon I et al i ., 2018; Keys I et al i ., 2019). Prevalence of different parasitic helminths in scats of the 3 most abundant mammalian predator species: red fox (n = 131), golden jackal (n = 65) and dog (n = 84). Mammalian predators such as the red fox, golden jackal, pine marten ( I Martes martes i ) and raccoon dog are common definitive hosts for many zoonotic helminths in Estonia and many other countries in Europe and beyond. Estonia, especially its western part, provides the best opportunities to study the environmental contamination with the eggs of helminth parasites in a complex manner, analysing the role of mammalian predators, including red foxes and golden jackals, but also rural dogs. The overlap of zoonotic helminth fauna, calculated according to the Pianka's index, was highest between rural dogs and golden jackals (0.99) and somewhat lower for golden jackals and red foxes (0.84), as well as rural dogs and red foxes (0.84). [Extracted from the article]

Considering the recent expansion of the golden jackal's (Canis aureus) range, we set out to determine its interspecific interactions at potential food sources with other mesocarnivores in Ljubljansko barje, the area where the first territorial groups in Slovenia were recorded. We set bait and camera traps at six different locations. When analysing the recordings, it seemed that red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were in all probability avoiding jackals at stationary food sources on a fine spatial scale. In addition, we recorded a case of the possible interference competition between the golden jackal with the European badger (Meles meles).

Context: Anthropogenic structures have considerable effects on ecosystems, disrupting natural population processes and representing a serious risk in terms of vehicle collisions. The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a mesocarnivore species whose range is expanding in Europe. Roadkills are one of the main human-induced mortalities in Italy to the species. Objectives: Identify road-related characteristics and ecological factors related to golden jackal roadkill risk in Italy. Methods: We used habitat suitability (Maxent) and connectivity (Circuit theory) models to derive 15 metrics potentially affecting roadkill risk. We tested their influence using Bayesian generalized linear models and generalized linear models comparing golden jackal roadkill locations to random locations. Furthermore, we tested if there were significant sex, age-related and seasonal differences among road-killed individuals. Results: We found that roadkill risk was higher in areas characterized by higher values of habitat suitability and connectivity, habitat fragmentation and along highways. It was lower with increasing distance to the source population and in the presence of guardrails. No significant differences were detected in terms of roadkill risk between sexes, age classes and season Conclusions: The identified factors affecting road mortality of golden jackals in Italy provide insights on how to mitigate wildlife-vehicle collisions. Crossing areas, and visual and acoustic warnings for wildlife, as well as the importance of managing fences along high traffic volume roads could help mitigate further damage. Finally, there is a need to further investigate the effectiveness of mitigation measures in the light of the golden jackal's ongoing expansion in a human-modified landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alveolar hydatid disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is a parasitic disease present in the northern hemisphere. Echinococcus multilocularis is a parasite of canid and felid carnivores as definitive hosts, and small mammals, particularly rodents as intermediate hosts. Other animal species and humans can be aberrant intermediate hosts for this parasite. It is known that besides acting as definitive hosts, domestic dogs can rarely become infected with the larval form of E. multilocularis and develop alveolar echinococcosis; however, a role of wild canids as aberrant intermediate hosts has not been documented until now. To the best of our knowledge the present paper provides the first description of alveolar hydatid disease in a golden jackal (Canis aureus). Case Presentation: Necropsy of the yearling female animal found a large, round, tumor-like mass, 20 cm in diameter, with a rough, multilobulated surface in the abdominal cavity, connected to the liver and omentum. On the cut surface this tumor-like lesion was multicystic, with a number of locular cavities filled with a clear yellowish to orange watery fluid and a large area of necrosis in the central part of the mass. Histopathology revealed multiple cystic spaces separated by fibrous sheaths and inflammatory cells—lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes. The cysts contained either pale, hyaline, eosinophilic laminar and occasionally amorphous, acellular, PAS-positive structures, or metacestodes with invaginated protoscolices. In several cysts round calcified bodies (calcareous corpuscles) were noted. Microscopic examination showed everted and inverted protoscolices which were attached to fragments of the brood capsule or free in hydatid fluid. By comparing consensus nucleotide sequence of 457 bp obtained by PCR reaction with sequences deposited in NCBI GenBank it is determined that it was 100% identical with E. multilocularis sequences under accession numbers MH259778.1, MH259776.1, AB668376.1, EU704124.1 and AB018440.2. Conclusions: The present paper provides a proof that the golden jackal, besides being a definitive host, can also serve as the aberrant intermediate host for E. multilocularis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, altitudinal distribution and habitat use of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Trabzon, Arsin, Yanbolu Valley were tried to be determined starting from September 2019 to February 2021. In the study area with a total area of 158 km2, 62-days fieldwork was carried out. Direct and indirect observation methods were used in field studies. Direct observations were made by one or two-person using point and line observations, as well as using camera traps. In indirect observations, signs such as the jackal's footprints, scats, etc. were used. As a result of the research, data such as 253 camera trap images of the jackal, direct observation in one area, 16 jackal howling sounds in three areas, and footprints in one area were obtained from 40 meters the upper limit of the forest at an altitude up to 1514 meters. It is also the highest altitude at which the jackal has been recorded in Europe. It is seen that the jackal is distributed in areas close to agricultural and residential areas at low altitudes whereas, it is generally distributed in forest areas at higher elevations. In forest areas, it has been observed that it can easily use forests with high closure as well as forest areas with low closure. The elements that threaten the jackal are lack of information about the species, poaching, predator pressure, stray dogs, roads, agricultural drugs, and environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The arrival of a new carnivore can have important effects on local communities. While several effects of introduced alien species have been well documented, few studies have reported the ecological consequences of an expanding native species. Golden jackals (Canis aureus) are rapidly expanding their distribution in Europe, far beyond their historic range. While this raises many concerns about their potential impact on native wildlife, actual consequences are rarely recorded. Besides being a predator, the jackal is also an efficient scavenger and could function as a kleptoparasite for other predators living in areas colonized by jackals. Large felids are among the predators most vulnerable to kleptoparasitism and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) are already known to be negatively affected by several scavengers. Here we report on the first confirmed cases of jackals scavenging on lynx kills in the Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia. We used camera traps to monitor scavengers at 65 lynx kills and recorded two cases of groups of jackals feeding on roe deer killed by lynx. To determine the potential for jackal kleptoparasitism on lynx at the continental level, we also calculated trends in the overlap in distribution ranges of both species in Europe. To date, jackals have colonized 13% of lynx range, including parts of two highly threatened populations. Finally, we highlight the potential impact of sympatric grey wolves (Canis lupus) to modulate this newly described jackal-lynx kleptoparasitic interaction.

The morphological characteristics of the hairs can be used for species identification in ecological and zoological studies, in forensic and forensic veterinary examinations. Large-scale hairs model is one of the important identification features and can be used as a "fingerprint". In this study the morphological hairs characteristics of nine Bulgarian carnivore mammals were investigated. The values for the length, total hairs diameter, medullary diameter and medullary index were determined. The combined use of hairs parameters and the medullary index (MI) are a guarantee of greater reliability in species identification. For comparison, we observed under a microscope hairs fixed by transparent tape in order to offer a quick test for species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Ongoing global changes can lead to the expansion of species' geographical range. Exploring the drivers of the successful ongoing expansion of the golden jackal across Europe is essential to understand the species' trophic ecology. We analysed which climatic and environmental factors affected the dietary composition of golden jackals and compared these drivers in the species' historic and recently colonized distribution ranges. Location: Eurasia. Taxon: Golden jackal (Canis aureus). Methods: Using 40 published datasets, we modelled jackal diet composition using 13 food categories based on the relative frequency of occurrence of food items and trophic niche breadth (BA) against climatic and environmental factors from throughout the jackals' recently colonized (22 studies) and historic range (18 studies) using general additive models. Results: The proportion of small mammals in golden jackal diet decreased with annual mean temperature, whereas the consumption of wild ungulates increased with environmental productivity. Increasing temperature and environmental productivity positively influenced niche breadth, while increasing precipitation negatively affected it. The recently colonized distribution range of golden jackals in Europe had a lower mean temperature but higher environmental productivity compared to the species' historic range in Eurasia. In the recently colonized range, jackals consumed small mammals and/or wild ungulates (mostly from scavenging) more frequently, and fewer plants and/or domestic animals (again, mostly from scavenging). Main Conclusions: The golden jackal is an opportunistic, omnivorous carnivore with high dietary flexibility and biogeographical variation. Climatic and environmental factors shape the species' diet composition, which, in a changing environment, greatly enhances the opportunities for golden jackals to colonize new areas successfully. Golden jackals will likely continue to expand their range in the foreseeable future. The species' trophic niche is expected to broaden with predictions of overall increasing temperatures and reduced precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful conservation depends on accurate taxonomy. Currently, the taxonomy of canids in Africa, Eurasia and Australasia is unstable as recent molecular and morphological studies have questioned earlier phenetic classifications. We review available information on several taxa of Old World and Australasian Canis with phylogenetic uncertainties (namely, African jackals, Asian wolves and Australasian dogs), in order to assess the validity of suggested scientific names and provide a scientific basis for reaching a taxonomic consensus primarily based on molecular data, but also including morphology, biogeography and behavioural ecology. We identify major knowledge gaps, provide recommendations for future research and discuss conservation implications of an updated taxonomic framework. Recent molecular studies indicate that the former Afro‐Eurasian 'golden jackal' represents two distinct lineages, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) from Eurasia and the African wolf (C. lupaster) from Africa. Phylogenetic research also indicates that the side‐striped and black‐backed jackals form a monophyletic group that branched earlier than Canis, Cuon and Lycaon, which should be reassigned to the genus Lupulella as L. adusta and L. mesomelas, respectively. The Himalayan/Tibetan and Indian wolf lineages appear to have diverged earlier and are distinct from all other grey wolves (C. lupus) based on mitochondrial and nuclear genome data. However, until genome‐wide data from multiple individuals across the range clarify relationships with other taxa, we suggest referring to the Himalayan/Tibetan wolf lineage as Canis lupus chanco. We support the currently accepted nomenclature for the Indian wolf Canis lupus pallipes for the wolf populations found on the Indian subcontinent and possibly also in south‐western Asia (exact geographical boundary pending). The information presented here provides a current and consistent taxonomic framework for use by conservationists and other practitioners, but it is also intended to stimulate further research to resolve current uncertainties affecting the taxonomy of Old World canids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space-use patterns of animals are a fundamental measure of resource requirements and constraints. In some human-modified landscapes, especially agroecosystems that depend on both rainfall and irrigation, drivers that influence animal space use can show unexpected spatial and temporal patterns due to anthropogenic activities. Animals living in such landscapes are expected to respond to changes in their environment by altering home-range sizes and habitat selection at multiple scales. We used movement data from a guild of mesocarnivores to determine how home-range size and habitat selection differ across species and seasons in a complex agroecosystem in Central India. Based on high-resolution location data from golden jackals (Canis aureus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), and Indian foxes (Vulpes bengalensis) over a period of ~3 years, we found that home-range sizes scaled with body mass as expected, with high intra-species variability. Seasonal home ranges of golden jackals, jungle cats, and Indian foxes varied from 3.1 to 23.7 (mean = 12.3 ± 1.6), 1.01 to 26.48 (mean = 5.9 ± 0.9), and 1.16 to 10.71 (mean = 4.3 ± 0.5) km2, respectively. Contrary to expectations, home-range size did not vary significantly with season, suggesting that agricultural activities may dampen typical seasonal variations in resource availability and distribution. Site fidelity in seasonal home ranges for golden jackals, jungle cats, and Indian foxes was high (seasonal overlaps = 0.94± 0.01, 0.89± 0.02 and 0.81±0.03, respectively). We also found that the habitat specialist Indian fox primarily selected for remnant native grasslands and plantations, whereas the generalist golden jackal and jungle cat selected more human-modified land cover types at both the landscape and home-range scales. This study highlights the importance of maintaining natural habitats within production landscapes, especially for habitat specialists, which are more constrained in their requirements than generalist species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last half-century, the distribution of golden jackals (Canis aureus) has rapidly increased throughout Europe. Today, golden jackals are thriving in human-dominated landscapes across Southeastern and Central Europe. Most studies on golden jackals have focused on large-scale distribution patterns; to date, little is known about the species' fine-scale spatial ecology. In this study, we analyzed the movement behavior, space-use and resource selection of six golden jackals fitted with GPS-GSM collars in two study areas in Hungary and Serbia. Two of the jackals were a breeding pair. We found that home range size averaged 11.2 km2 (90% autocorrelated kernel density estimation), and was characterized by significant individual-level variability (range 1.3–32.5 km2). Golden jackal movements and resource selection were strongly influenced by circadian patterns: during the day, jackals travelled an average of 300 m every 6 h, and all monitored individuals selected for vegetation cover, often near edges. At night, golden jackals travelled significantly further (1 km 6 h−1), and were more likely to venture outside of cover into agricultural areas. Movement analysis of the breeding pair revealed that the male and female tended to remain in close proximity during the day, but ranged more independently at night. Altogether, our findings suggest that golden jackals' ability to thrive in human-dominated landscapes rely on a fine spatio-temporal avoidance of humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalist species are often characterized by low habitat specialization and reduced genetic structure in their populations. Here, we tested this common assumption on golden jackals in Iran, a wide country with a highly heterogeneous landscape where this carnivore is assumed to be widespread, although little is known about the ecology and population genetics of this species. We investigate distribution patterns, habitat requirements, and niche breadth of golden jackals by using GIS techniques and ecological modeling over a total of 452 presence records. We then assessed genetic diversity and population structure by analyzing 24 samples for 43 microsatellites. The observed distribution patterns show an extensive range across a wide climatic, ecological and altitudinal gradient, covering eight climate regions and 16 terrestrial ecoregions. Ecological modeling confirms high habitat plasticity of the golden jackal, with selection of mountainous areas with high slopes, moderate temperatures, and areas with low human population and activity while avoiding hyper‐arid regions. Estimated values of niche breadth were high, indicating that is a generalist species in the study area. The observed genetic diversity was high, representing the highest value reported so far in this species. We found no signature of population structure, suggesting a single genetic cluster, as well as no evidence of hybridization with domestic dogs. Our results provide valuable ecological and genetic information on a widespread but poorly known carnivore, often disregarded in conservation strategies but under pressure from anthropogenic threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European golden jackal (Canis aureus) occupies a wide geographical range, spanning across northern and eastern Africa, northeastern Europe, and parts of southern Asia. In the past two decades, there has been a notable expansion of jackal populations into lowland areas in the northern regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with individuals migrating from Serbia and northeastern Croatia, thus establishing a stable population. A comprehensive population genetic study conducted by Nikitović et al. (2023) revealed intriguing insights into the genetic makeup of Bosnian jackals. Despite the absence of a discernible spatial pattern, the study revealed moderate genetic variability and the presence of two genetic clusters within the population. Intrigued by these findings, our study aimed to delve deeper into the genetic dynamics, specifically investigating whether sex plays a role in shaping the genetic structure of the jackal population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our analysis focused on 47 individuals sampled from the northern regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To determine the sex of the specimens, we employed molecular techniques, amplifying the Amelogenin gene using The Canine GenotypesTM Panel 1.1 kit (Finnzymes, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Finland). We used 16 microsatellite loci to assess genetic structure and variability and employed various software including GenAlEx v6.5 for genetic variability parameters (Na, Ne, He, Ho, HWE), STRUCTURE v.2.3.4 for population structure analysis, Structure Harvester for determining the optimal number of genetic clusters, and Clumpak for visualizing results from STRUCTURE analyses. Our dataset comprised 18 females and 29 males, for which basic genetic parameters appeared similar. However, STRUCTURE analysis revealed the presence of four genetic clusters (K=4) without a clear spatial pattern. Despite this, our findings conclusively demonstrate that sex does not significantly influence the genetic structure of the jackal population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife crimes pertaining to lesser-known species do not usually garner adequate focus or interest by enforcement and conservation agencies. Additionally, illegal wildlife trade fuelled by religious beliefs in sorcery and superstition is an oft-neglected field of research. To draw attention to these two broad issues, we provide a baseline analysis of open-source reports on Golden Jackal Canis aureus poaching and trade in India. We highlight the pervasiveness of an active local and transnational ‘jackal horn’ trade, which is severely under-reported and insufficiently researched. News reports and government seizure data reveal that, between 2013 and 2019, 126 skins, eight tails, more than 370 ‘jackal horns’, 16 skulls and two live jackals have been seized. The demand for the illusionary ‘jackal horn’ appears to be driven by extensive online endorsement and unsubstantiated claims made by religious practitioners, targeted primarily at south Asian markets. This preliminary study is an urgent call for concerted efforts to monitor the illegal trafficking and trade of this common species, with a particular focus on the demand and supply chains.

Hand raised four Golden jackals of age around 6 months were observed with olecranonbursitis. Frequent rubbing/trauma from the wooden floor of the refuge den was suspected to be the reason for development of olecranon bursitis. The case was confirmed by aseptic aspiration of content from lump. Later surgical intervention was planned. They were immobilized with ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg and1 mg/kg, respectively. Surgically, the lumps were removed and recovery was seen in a month of surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species range expansions and (re)colonization of landscapes variously dominated by humans occur on a global scale. Understanding such range enlargements and subsequent changes in the composition of ecological communities is important for conservation management, and the golden jackal (Canis aureus) can be considered a model species for regional and continental range expansion. Although this mesopredator has been known from the Adriatic Coast of southeastern Europe for over 500 years, the species is a recent arrival further north, including in Slovenia where jackals were first confirmed in the 1950s. Research from eastern Italy found jackals with ancestry from the Dalmatian region on the Adriatic Coast and the Pannonian region further east. We predicted similar ancestry for Slovenian jackals, and examined samples from Croatia, including Dalmatia and interior regions, Serbia, Hungary, and Slovenia with 25 microsatellite markers to determine population genetic structure. We detected two distinct genetic clusters, representing the Dalmatian and Balkan-Pannonian (Pannonian) jackal populations (FST = 0.157, 95% CI: 0.112–0.209). Contrary to expectations, only few individuals in Slovenia exhibited signs of Dalmatian ancestry, and none appeared to be direct immigrants. Some results suggested a third cluster centered in northern Hungary. These divergent profiles might indicate immigration from outside the study area, and samples from regions further east are required for additional resolution. Based on our results, we hypothesize that Dalmatia has not been a substantial source for recent range expansion of the species, which has likely occurred from the east. Further investigation can help resolve the ancestry and current distribution of the Dalmatian and Pannonian populations, and the ecological relationships resulting from progressively overlapping distributions of canid species. Finally, genomic research could illuminate whether genetic variants from eastern areas might have facilitated jackal expansion into regions characterized by a colder climate, the presence of snow, and extensive forest cover; habitats seemingly avoided by the jackals occupying the Adriatic Coast and surrounding areas in southeastern Europe.

Species of Canis (Carnivora, Canidae) have similar morphology and distinguishing sympatric species is challenging. We present data on morphometry of skull, body and hair of three wild Canis species that occur in India, which include two wolves (Indian wolf, Canis lupus pallipes; and Himalayan wolf, Canis himalayensis) and the golden jackal (Canis aureus). A total of 20 cranial and six body measurements and microscopic characteristics of guard hair were analysed, using multivariate ordination to differentiate between species. Cranial measures of the Himalayan wolves were found to be the largest followed by Indian wolves and golden jackals. However, many measures overlapped amongst the three species. Two Principal Components each, for body measures and cranial measures, explained 86 and 91% of the variation in the data, respectively. These Components discriminated the two wolves from golden jackals, but could not distinguish between wolves. Hair medullary patterns were simple and wide type, whereas hair cuticular patterns showed crenate scale margins, near scale distance and irregular wavey scale patterns for all Canis taxa and were not useful to distinguish species. Data reported in this study further contribute to the existing global data on wild canids for a holistic understanding of the variation within the genus and show that distinguishing between all sympatric species from morphology alone may not be possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In last decades, golden jackals expanded significantly their distribution range, increasing their population density, being nowadays present in many countries in Europe. In Slovakia, their dispersion and population increase became more constant from 2009. Records of wolves, lynx and bear from camera traps are rather common across Slovakia, while those of golden jackals are still rare, despite a large number of active traps. In this work, we present records of a camera-trap, located on the east side of the Kysuce Protected Landscape Area, where, for the first time, we detect a sympatric occurrence of the golden jackal with all three native large carnivores.

Background: In Europe, golden jackals (Canis aureus) have been expanding their range out of the southern and southeastern Balkans towards central Europe continually since the 1960s. Here, we investigated the level of functional diversity at the MHC class II DLA-DQA1 exon 2 in golden jackal populations from Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary. Specifically, we tested for positive selection on and geographic variation at that locus due to adaptation to supposedly regionally varying pathogenic landscapes. To test for potential fitness effects of different protein variants on individual body condition, we used linear modeling of individual body mass indexes (bmi) and accounted for possible age, sex, geographical, and climatic effects. The latter approach was performed, however, only on Serbian individuals with appropriate data. Results: Only three different DLA-DQA1 alleles were detected, all coding for different amino-acid sequences. The neutrality tests revealed no significant but positive values; there was no signal of spatial structuring and no deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium across the studied range of expansion. However, we found a signal of trans-species polymorphism and significant test results for positive selection on three codons. Our information-theory based linear modeling results indicated an effect of ambient temperature on the occurrence of individual DLA-DQA1 genotypes in individuals from across the studied expansion range, independent from geographical position. Our linear modeling results of individual bmi values indicated that yearlings homozygous for DLA-DQA1*03001 reached values typical for adults contrary to yearlings carrying other genotypes (protein combinations). This suggested better growth rates and thus a possible fitness advantage of yearlings homozygous for DLA-DQA1*03001. Conclusions: Our results indicate a demographic (stochastic) signal of reduced DLA-DQA1 exon 2 variation, in line with the documented historical demographic bottleneck. At the same time, however, allelic variation was also affected by positive selection and adaptation to varying ambient temperature, supposedly reflecting geographic variation in the pathogenic landscape. Moreover, an allele effect on body mass index values of yearlings suggested differential fitness associated with growth rates. Overall, a combination of a stochastic effect and positive selection has shaped and is still shaping the variation at the studied MHC locus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-predator conflicts are frequently caused by livestock and/or game depredation. The golden jackal's (Canis aureus) range expansion in Europe, as well as the recent re-expansion of several gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations, might increase risk of such conflicts. In Austria, golden jackal presence has been increasing since the 1990s including reports of wildlife and livestock kills, frequently occurring in the provinces Styria and Burgenland. We developed a rapid, two-step genetic screening protocol to (1) detect canid mtDNA from non-invasively collected samples like swabs from kills using diagnostic PCRs, and (2) assign this DNA to red fox (Vulpes vulpes), golden jackal, or gray wolf/dog. To monitor golden jackal presence in the region, a total of 167 signs of presence were collected over a period of 30 months throughout the Styrian province. Among these, 14 non-invasive genetic samples (13 swabs from kill sites and one scat) were screened with the developed protocol. Four of these samples revealed golden jackal mtDNA and six samples red fox mtDNA. The developed genetic screening protocol represents a quick and inexpensive method to assess canid presence, e.g., at kill sites, and therefore possesses high value for the conservation and wildlife management community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used radiocollars and GPS collars to determine the movements and habitat selection of golden jackals (Canis aureus) in a seasonally dry deciduous forest with no human settlements in eastern Cambodia. We also collected and analyzed 147 scats from jackals to determine their seasonal diet and prey selection. The mean (± SE) annual size of home-range ranges (47.1 ± 2.5 km2; n = 4), which were mutually exclusive between mated pairs, was considerably larger than that previously reported for this species, resulting in an extremely low density (0.01 jackal/km2). The unusually large home ranges and low density probably were due to the harsh dry season when most understory vegetation is burned and nearly all waterholes dry up, thereby causing a large seasonal decline in the availability of small vertebrate prey. Resident groups consisted of an alpha pair, but no betas, and were situated only in areas not occupied by leopards (Panthera pardus) and dholes (Cuon alpinus). Jackals avoided dense forests and streams, and had a strong selection for dirt roads, possibly to avoid larger predators. Overall the jackal diet was diverse, with at least 16 prey items identified, and there was no significant difference in diet composition between the cool-dry and hot-dry seasons. Scat analysis showed that the main food items consumed by jackals were processional termites (Hospitalitermes spp.; 26% biomass consumed), followed by wild pig (Sus scrofa ; 20%), muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis ; 20%), and civets (17%). Compared to available biomass, jackals were not random in their consumption of ungulates because muntjac were selectively consumed over larger ungulate species. Dietary overlap with dholes and leopards was relatively low, and consumption patterns indicated jackals were preying on ungulates rather than scavenging from kills of larger carnivores. Our results showed that the jackal is an extremely adaptable and opportunistic species that exhibits unique behaviors to survive in an extreme environment near the edge of its distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We detected eight trematodes in the small intestine of a road-killed jackal (Canis aureus) from Hamidiyeh District near the city of Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province in 2010. Methods: Three worms were stained with carmine acid, mounted in Canada balsam on glass slides and examined under a light microscope at 1000X magnification. PCR and sequencing of a partial ITS2 sequence were used to approve the diagnosis. Results: The flukes measured ≈1 mm in length with an elongated ovoid shape resembling the members of heterophyid, and only one testis, characteristics of the genus Haplorchis. Sequencing of a 481-bp fragment of the ITS2 locus from the worms revealed 97%-98% identity with the similar sequences of the H. taichui flukes previously identified in the fish, cat, and humans from Thailand, China, and Vietnam. Conclusion: Further studies with the application of reliable molecular tools to diagnose trematode infections in wildlife and humans can bring more insight into the epidemiology of fish-borne flukes including H. taichui in this area.

Grey wolf and golden jackal are both common in Georgia, although they have different habitat preferences. The wolf is more common in mountain areas of the country, and jackals are more common in the lowland part of Georgia, with its milder and warmer climate. In recent decades, the abundance of both species increased. Simultaneously, the jackals are increasingly often sighted at higher elevations than previously recorded, and simultaneously, there are increased sightings of the wolves in lowlands of western Georgia, including the areas close to the Black Sea Coast. The analysis of partial mitochondrial DNA sequences and 20 microsatellite markers suggest substantially higher genetic diversity of wolves than the jackals in Georgia, which could be related to the late expansion of jackals into the Caucasus region (not before the Bronze Age). Clustering using a Bayesian approach based on the microsatellite markers suggests that the vast majority of both jackals and wolves sampled in western Georgia descend from recent migrants from the east of the country. The expansion of the two species may be related to the conservation efforts in the latest decades or/and climate change that explains the appearance of jackals in the mountain regions of Georgia, as well as in northern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with the rapid expansion across Europe, the golden jackal colonization of Italy is still limited and slow. No study focused on the habitat selection or landscape connectivity for this species was performed in Italy; thus, the potential distribution and dispersal patterns in the country remain unknown. Our objectives were to evaluate the suitability of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (north-eastern Italy) for the golden jackal, as well as to identify the ecological corridors connecting the areas currently occupied by the species. Corridors modelling allowed us both to hypothesize the dispersal dynamics occurring in the study region and to identify possible obstacles to future range expansion. We surveyed golden jackal presence in two study areas, covering an area of 500 km2, from March 2017 to February 2018. Using collected data, we modelled the species home-range scale habitat suitability based on an ensemble modelling approach. Subsequently, a habitat suitability prediction at a finer scale was used to estimate landscape resistance, starting from which, we modelled dispersal corridors among areas currently occupied by the species using a factorial least cost path and a cumulative resistant kernel approach. Our results indicated a moderate potential for large parts of the study region to support the occurrence of golden jackal family groups, whose presence seems to be mainly driven by the presence of wide areas covered by broadleaved forests and shrublands and by the absence of wide intensive agricultural areas. The predicted connectivity networks showed that three main permeable corridors are likely to connect golden jackal occurrence areas within the study region, while all the other corridors are characterized by a very low path density. Both the habitat selection and connectivity analyses showed a strong negative impact of the intensive cultivated plain on species stable presence and movement providing critical information for the conservation of the golden jackal in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food preferences of golden jackal Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758 from three areas with different anthropogenic impact in Central Bulgaria during the autumn and winter seasons of 2016-2018 were investigated. A total of 170 stomachs were analysed. In the mountainous area (Stara Planina Mts.), wild ungulates predominated in the jackal's diet, followed by rodents, trash and plant material (mainly fruits). Domestic mammals predominated in the jackal's diet in the hilly and semi-mountainous area (Sarnena Sredna Gora Mts.), followed by carcasses of wild carnivores and fruits. In the agricultural lowland area (Thracian Plain), rodents occurred in the jackal's diet most frequently, followed by plant materials (fruits and cereals), domestic mammals and fishes. Considering the narrower jackal's food niche in Upper Thracian Plain and in Stara Planina Mts. compared to that in Sredna Gora Mts., it can be concluded that rodents were favoured by the jackal in the lowlands, and hunter-killed ungulates in the mountainous area. In the semimountainous area, the species did not take advantage of a particular food category, demonstrating feeding generalization. Delivering easily accessible and high energy food in both anthropogenic environments and natural habitats makes human influence widespread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Hungary, the rabies control programme with oral bait immunisation of wild carnivores dates back to 1992. Since than, the rules of vaccine placement on bait density has not changed, in spite of drastic expansion of both the carnivore community and the wild boar population in Europe. Though, all these elements of the concerned ecosystem compete for the baits. This case study was based on the accidental finding of vaccine blisters in jackal stomachs during a large-scale investigation on jackals’ feeding ecology. The results showed 3.17% (0.57-10.87%) frequency of bait occurrence in jackal specimens harvested during the vaccination term. This finding contradicted previous reports on high bait uptake rate and rabies seroconversion in golden jackals. These results called the attention the need for paradigm shift in management of diseases maintained in a natural reservoir. In the authors’ opinion, for reassuring result, multidisciplinary research groups should re-evaluate disease control strategies time and again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]