2020 journal article
Coyotes living near cities are bolder: implications for dog evolution and human-wildlife conflict
BEHAVIOUR, 157(3-4), 289–313.
author keywords: self-domestication; urban evolution; coyote wildlife management; urban coyotes; coyote boldness; human-wildlife conflict
TL;DR:
Analysis of the reactions of coyotes to novel human artefacts at 575 sites across the state of North Carolina suggests that urban coyotes are experiencing selection for boldness and becoming more attracted tohuman artefacts.
(via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
(OpenAlex)
15. Life on Land
(Web of Science)
Source: NC State University Libraries
Added: May 9, 2020
Abstract How animal populations adapt to human modified landscapes is central to understanding modern behavioural evolution and improving wildlife management. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have adapted to human activities and thrive in both rural and urban areas. Bolder coyotes showing reduced fear of humans and their artefacts may have an advantage in urban environments. We analysed the reactions of 636 coyotes to novel human artefacts (camera traps) at 575 sites across the state of North Carolina. Likelihood of a coyote approaching the camera increased with human housing density suggesting that urban coyotes are experiencing selection for boldness and becoming more attracted to human artefacts. This has implications for both human-wildlife conflict and theories of dog domestication. We also note physical traits in coyotes that could be the result of domestication-related selection pressures, or dog hybridization.