The specimen I have lacks a head and hide. Was reported to be "mutilated dog remains" found in a forest. I suspect is coyote hunt remains with the hunter taking the head & hide. Hair comparison, tissue DNA analysis are possibilities, any radiographic differentiators?
Dear Martha,
I would just go for DNA analysis. Simple and effective.
Best
Danilo
DNA analysis would be the most conclusive way. Visually it is difficult because there are so many kinds of dog. Given you have to ask it is presumably not a St Bernard or a Yorkie, but, if the skeleton is still intact, the scapula of a coyote sit higher than that of an average dog (assuming this is not a mongrel). With your average dog, the scapula do not extend higher than the thoracic vertebrate, whereas they do with a coyote in standing position.
Also if you have the paw pads then the central palm should be much smaller in a coyote than a dog in relation to the other pads. In area, the palm pad would be marginally larger than the toe pads. Whereas in a domestic dog, the palm pad would be significantly larger in area than the toe pads (probably closer to the area of 3 of the pads rather than 1 or 1.2 pads like the coyote)
Hope that helps
Thanks so much to you both. I will be submitting DNA for definitive species. I will also closely examine the paws and position of the scapula relative to the spine. Another contact suggested the stomach contents, if any, could be telling (ie field mice vs kibble). Also, the park ranger who provided the specimen in question was able to also give me a deceased coyote for comparison, so that may help also.
It is nice to have some suggestions for preliminary opinion as there is a great deal of anxiety around this find.
Much appreciated!
If you read french there is a good work from Maud Pionnier-Capitan, la domestication du chien en Eurasie a thésis for superior normal school from Lyon and I think she has published some paper in english too, she join an article in the thesis...She use common biométrie and also different dna analysis and a new approach with the mathematics elliptics transformation from Fourrier, I can send you the texte if you want...
Thank you Philippe! I do read French, a bit. I would be very interested in seeing her paper. Especially since my middle name is Maud!
Very kind of you, thank you.
how I can sent it, by we transfert if you give me an e mail? it 's not my work I can't put it on research gate...
So the DNA results are in, drumroll please..... OK, nothing exciting, is c. latrans as expected! Results attached, informational.
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