The relationship between Jaw/skull structure and hunting strategies

Canid Skull/Jaw Structure 

Ethiopian wolf hunting small mammals
http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/ethiopian
-wolves-searching-for-food-in-a-high-res-stock-photography/95647033
accessed 15/03 

The jaw structure varies greatly among canid species (Slater et al. 2008). Their skull shape and proportions affect bite force and speed, and prey types allowing the species to evolve and fill specific niches (Slater et al. 2008). Canids with smaller prey have evolved longer but thinner skulls allowing for fast and precise hunting (Slater et al. 2008). This enables predators such as the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) to be able to catch their main prey (Ashenafi et al. 2005). The wolves half evolved to pounce and reach into the dens of small rodents which make up at least 88% of their prey (Ashenafi et al. 2005).

General hunters (Slater et al. 2008) such as the black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) have a variety of prey. These hunters’ diet ranges from sea birds in coastal areas (Avery and Avery, 1997) to carrion, antelope and grazing stock (Grafton, 1965). The Jackals have evolved skull structures that balance strength and speed to allow them to survive in environments of natural and human influenced food sources (Grafton, 1965). The jaw structure of the Jackal is shorter and broader than that of the Ethiopian wolf, thus allowing the bones to withstand and exert more pressure.

Canids that specialise in larger prey have been proven to have very broad, short jaws (Slater et al. 2008). This evolution allows large hunters like The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) to get the maximum amount of jaw strength (Slater et al. 2008). The dogs’ preferred prey are large animals such as gazelle and impala (Hayward et al. 2006). Due to the mass and strength of the prey, the dogs must have the jaw strength to hold the prey and be able to handle and added pressure the prey exerts (Slater et al. 2008). For this reason, the wild dogs also have larger muscle structures than the other two species mentioned (Slater et al. 2008). This adds to both pressure cushioning and added bite force (Slater et al. 2008).

Jaw structure of canids varies greatly among species. This evolution over times allows the species to fit their niches with very specific diets (Slater et al. 2008).

Figure 2. Skull structure of Ethiopian wolf (j), Black backed jackal (k) and African wild dog (i).
Slater et al. accessed  14/03

Slater, G. J. Dumont, E. R. Van Valkenburgh, B. 2008. Implications of predatory specialization for cranial from and function in canids, Journal of Zoology,

Ashenafi, Z. T. Coulson, T. Sillero-Zubiri, C. Leader-Williams, N. 2005. Behaviour and Ecology of the Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis) in a human dominated landscape outside protected areas, Animal Conservation 8, 113–121  

AVERY, G. AVER, D. M. 1987. Prey of coastal black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas (Mammalia: Canidae) in the Skeleton Coast Park, Namibia, Journal of Zoology London. 213, 81-94

Grafton, R. N. 1965. Food of the Black-Backed Jackal: A Preliminary Report, Zoologica Africana, 1:1, 41-53,

Hayward, M.W. Obrien, J. Hofmeyr, M. Kerley, G. I. H. 2006. Prey Preferences of the African Wild Dog Lycaon pictus (Canidae: Carnivora): Ecological Requirements for Conservation. Journal of Mammalogy, 87(6):1122–1131