Short-eared dog

The short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis),^[2] also known as the small-eared dog,^[3] is a unique and elusive canid species endemic to the Amazonian basin.^[1][2] This is the only species assigned to the genus Atelocynus.^[1]

Short-eared dog[1]
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Caniformia
Family:	Canidae
Subfamily:	Caninae
Tribe:	Canini
Subtribe:	Cerdocyonina
Genus:	Atelocynus Cabrera, 1940
Species:	A. microtis
Binomial name
Atelocynus microtis (Sclater, 1883)
Subspecies
A. m. microtis, Sclater, 1882 A. m. sclateri, J. A. Allen, 1905
Short-eared dog range

Other names

The short-eared dog has many names in the local languages where it is endemic, including cachorro-do-mato-de-orelha-curta in Portuguese, zorro de oreja corta ("short-ear fox") in Spanish, nomensarixi in Chiquitano, uálaca in Yucuna, cuachi yaguar in Guarayu, quinamco in Mooré, and achuj in Ninam and Mosetén.^[4]

Other common names in Spanish include zorro ojizarco ("blue-eyed fox"), zorro sabanero ("savannah fox"), and zorro negro ("black fox").^{[citation needed]}

Evolution and systematics

In the Amazon rainforest

In 2022, a study sequenced the genomes of the living members of the subtribe Cerdocyonina, which indicates that they commenced diversifying from a common ancestor between 3.9—3.5 million years ago. This finding is consistent with the ancestor arriving in South America from Central America through the Isthmus of Panama and then entering into eastern South America. The subtribe then expanded to occupy the entire continent.^[5]

After the formation of the Isthmus of Panama in the latter part the Tertiary (about 2.5 million years ago in the Pliocene), canids migrated from North America to the southern continent as part of the Great American Interchange. The short-eared dog's ancestors adapted to life in tropical rainforests, developing the requisite morphological and anatomical features. Although it has a superficial resemblance to the bush dog, the short-eared dog's closest living relative is the crab-eating fox.^[5] It is one of the most unusual canids.^[4]

Two subspecies of this canid are recognized,^[1] A. m. microtis and A. m. sclateri.

Occurrence and environment

Manú National Park, Madre de Dios, Peru

The short-eared dog can be found in the Amazon rainforest region of South America (in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and possibly Venezuela).^[1] There is a single report of "three slender, doglike animals" of this species sighted in the Darien region of Panama in 1984 by German biologist Sigi Weisel and a native Embera-nation Panamanian; this rare species' presence in Panama is possible because of "the continuous mass of forest habitat that covers this region".^[3] It lives in various parts of the rainforest environment, preferring areas with little human disturbance. It lives in both lowland forests known as Floresta Amazônica and terra firme forest, as well as in swamp forest, stands of bamboo, and cloud forest.^[6] It is a solitary animal and prefers to remain under tree-cover, avoiding both human and other animal interaction.^[7]

Appearance

Short-eared dog fur skin (Atelocynus microtis), fur skin collection, Bundes-Pelzfachschule, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Short-eared dog skull

The short-eared dog has short and slender limbs with short and rounded ears. It has a distinctive fox-like muzzle and bushy tail. Its paws are partly webbed, helping adapt it to its partly aquatic habitat.^[8]

Its fur ranges from dark to reddish-grey, but can also be nearly navy blue, coffee brown, dark grey, or chestnut-grey to black, and the coat is short, with thick and bristly fur.^[4] It has a somewhat narrow chest, with dark color variation on the thorax merging to brighter, more reddish tones on the abdominal side of the body.

Diet

This wild dog is mainly a carnivore, with fish, insects, and small mammals making up the majority of its diet. An investigation led in the Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru into the proportions of different kinds of food in this animal's diet produced the following results:

fish	28%		birds	10%
insects	17%		crabs	10%
small mammals	13%		frogs	4%
various fruits	10%		reptiles	3%

Reproduction and behavior

This species has some unique behaviors not typical to other canids. Females of this species are about one-third larger than males. The excited male sprays a musk produced by the tail glands. It prefers a solitary lifestyle, in forest areas. It avoids humans in its natural environment. Agitated males raise the hairs on their backs.^[9]

The lifespan and gestation period of the short-eared dog are unknown, although sexual maturity is reached at three years of age, relatively late compared to other canid species.^[10]

Threats, survival, and ecological concerns

Feral dogs pose a prominent threat to the population of short-eared dogs, as they facilitate the spread of diseases, such as canine distemper and rabies, to the wild population. The short eared dog suffers greatly from loss of habitat. There is a significant amount of disturbance in formerly remote South American forests, and almost no habitat except where daily human settler and prospector traffic destroys or exposes their dens. Humans also contribute to their extermination by degradation of the species' natural habitat and the general destruction of tropical rainforests.

Status of conservation

The short-eared dog is currently considered near threatened by the IUCN.^[2] No comprehensive ecological and genetic research has been carried out on the species.