New Guinea singing dog
Also known as: New Guinea Highland dog, Hallstrom's dog
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- New Guinea
- Other names
- New Guinea Highland dog, Hallstrom's dog
Diet
Reports from local sources in Papua New Guinea from the 1970s and the mid-1990s indicate that New Guinea singing dogs—like wild dogs found in New Guinea, whether they were pure New Guinea singing dogs or hybrids—fed on small to middle-sized marsupials , rodents , birds , and fruits . Robert Bino stated that their prey consisted of cuscuses , wallabies , and possibly dwarf cassowaries . [ 39 ] [ 16 ] New Guinea singing dogs in captivity do not require a specialized diet, but they seem to thrive on lean raw meat diets based on poultry , beef , elk , deer , or bison . [ 40 ] Natives interviewed in the highlands state that these dogs steal the kills of Papuan eagles . [ 41 ]
intro
The New Guinea singing dog or New Guinea Highland dog [ 1 ] ( Canis familiaris or Canis lupus dingo ) is an ancient ( basal ) }} "}},"i":0}}]}'> [ a ] lineage of dog [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] found in the New Guinea Highlands , on the island of New Guinea . Once considered to be a separate species in its own right, under the name Canis hallstromi , it is closely related to the Australian dingo . The dog is relatively unusual among canines; it is one of the few to be considered "barkless", and is known for the unusual " yodel " style of vocalizing that gives it its name. In 1989, the Australian mammalogist Tim Flannery took a photo of a black-and-tan dog in Telefomin District . He noted that these dogs lived with local tribal peoples in the mountains, and that feral populations lived in the alpine and sub-alpine grasslands of the Star Mountains and the Wharton Range . The photo was published in his book, Mammals of New Guinea . [ 6 ] In 2012, Australian wilderness-adventure guide Tom Hewett took a photo of a tawny, thick-coated dog in the Puncak Mandala region of West Papua , Indonesia . [ 7 ] In 2016, a literature review found no definitive evidence that the earliest possible dogs, within captive populations of New Guinea singing dogs, were wild animals; successive generations of puppies were raised as members of village populations, thus being domestic dogs. [ 8 ] In 2020, a genetic study found that the New Guinea Highland wild dogs were genetically basal to the dingo and the New Guinea singing dog, and therefore the potential originator of both. [ 9 ]
Lineage
By the close of the last glacial period 11,700 years ago, five ancestral lineages had diversified from each other and were expressed in ancient dog samples found in the Levant (7,000 YBP), Karelia (10,900 YBP), Lake Baikal (7,000 YBP), ancient America (4,000 YBP), and in the New Guinea singing dog (present day). [ 5 ] Mitochondrial genome sequences indicates that the dingo falls within the domestic dog clade, [ 25 ] and that the New Guinea singing dog is genetically closer to those dingoes that live in southeastern Australia than to those that live in the northwest. [ 23 ] The dingo and New Guinea singing dog lineage can be traced back through the Malay Archipelago to Asia. [ 26 ] In 2016, a literature review found that: there is no convincing evidence that New Guinea wild-living dogs and some, or all, pre-colonization New Guinea village dogs were distinct forms. Further, there is no definitive evidence that either high altitude wild-living dogs were formerly isolated from other New Guinea canids or that the animals that were the founding members of captive populations of New Guinea Singing Dogs were wild-living animals or the progeny of wild-living animals rather than being born and raised as members of village populations of domestic dogs. We conclude that: In 2020, the first whole genome analysis of the dingo and the New Guinea singing dog was undertaken. The study indicates that the ancestors of these two dogs arose in southern East Asia , migrated through Island Southeast Asia 9,900 YBP, and reached Australia 8,300 YBP. The study rejects earlier suggestions that these dogs arrived from southern Asia 4,300 YBP or as part of the Austronesian expansion into Island Southeast Asia, which arrived in New Guinea about 3,600 YBP. The genetic evidence is that dingoes arrived in Australia 8,300 YBP and brought by an unknown human population. [ 27 ] In 2024, a study found that the Dingo and New Guinea singing dog show 5.5% genome introgression from the ancestor of the recently extinct Japanese wolf , with Japanese dogs showing 4% genome introgression. This introgression occurred before the ancestor of the Japanese wolf arrived in Japan. [ 28 ]
Taxonomy
In 1999, a study of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) indicated that the domestic dog may have originated from multiple grey wolf populations, with the dingo and New Guinea singing dog "breeds" having developed at a time when human populations were more isolated from each other. [ 10 ] In the third edition of Mammal Species of the World published in 2005, the mammalogist W. Christopher Wozencraft listed under the wolf Canis lupus its wild subspecies, and proposed two additional subspecies: " familiaris Linnaeus, 1758 [domestic dog]" and " dingo Meyer, 1793 [domestic dog]". Wozencraft included hallstromi – the New Guinea singing dog – as a taxonomic synonym for the dingo. Wozencraft referred to the mtDNA study as one of the guides in forming his decision. [ 11 ] The inclusion of familiaris and dingo under a "domestic dog" clade has been noted by other mammalogists. [ 12 ] This classification by Wozencraft is debated among zoologists. [ 13 ] The New Guinea singing dog's taxonomic status is debated, with proposals that include treating it within the species concept (range of variation) of the domestic dog Canis familiaris , [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 12 ] [ 6 ] a distinct species Canis hallstromi , [ 1 ] [ 16 ] and Canis lupus dingo when considered a subspecies of the wolf. [ 11 ] In 2019, a workshop hosted by the IUCN /SSC Canid Specialist Group considered the New Guinea singing dog and the dingo to be feral dogs Canis familiaris , and therefore should not be assessed for the IUCN Red List . [ 14 ]
Behaviour
All sightings in the wild were of single dogs or pairs, therefore it can be inferred that wild New Guinea singing dogs do not form permanent packs. [ 16 ] Tim Flannery's short 1989 report on dogs in the mountains of Papua New Guinea described them as "extraordinarily shy" and "almost preternaturally canny." [ 33 ] According to Robert Bino (1996), "}},"i":0}}]}'> [ c ] these dogs only use their resting places under roots and ledges in New Guinea sporadically. Bino conjectured that these dogs are highly mobile and forage alone and concluded that they therefore might use several hiding places in their home range. [ 34 ] During research observations, the examined dogs generally showed a lower threshold of behaviour (e.g., scent rolling ) than other domestic dogs, as well as an earlier developmental onset than other domestic dogs or grey wolves (e.g., hackle biting at two weeks compared to other domestic dogs/grey wolves at 6 weeks) and a quantitative difference (e.g., reduced expression of intraspecific affiliate behaviours). The dogs observed did not show the typical canid play bow; however, Imke Voth found this behaviour during examinations in the 1980s. [ 35 ] Several behaviours unique to New Guinea singing dogs have been noted: [ 16 ] Additionally, New Guinea singing dogs have an unusual form of auto-erotic stimulation , which includes a strong tendency to target the genitals for both playful and aggressive bites, a cheek-rub that may be a marking behaviour and a tooth-gnashing threat. During estrus , when potential partners are present, same-sex New Guinea singing dogs often fight to the point of severe injury. Furthermore, adults also display a high degree of aggression towards unfamiliar dogs, which would indicate that they are strongly territorial. [ 16 ] Their distinctive aggression could not be observed to that extent among Australian dingoes (who live without human contact). [ 36 ] [ page needed ] Researchers have noted rough play behaviour by the mothers towards their pups, which often switched over to agonistic behaviour as well as "handling." The mothers did not adequately react to the pups' shouts of pain but rather interpreted it as further "invitation" for "playing." The researchers stated that this behaviour was noted in their subjects only and does not necessarily apply to all singing dogs. [ 36 ] [ page needed ]
Description
Australian mammalogist Tim Flannery in his book the Mammals of New Guinea describes the "New Guinea Wild Dog" as looking similar to the dingo, only smaller. Most of these dogs in New Guinea are domesticated with large numbers being kept by widows and bachelors, with hunters keeping at least two for assisting them with hunting. These dogs do not bark, and their chorused howling makes a haunting and extraordinary sound, which has led to their alternative name of "New Guinea Singing Dog." Flannery published in his book a photo of a black-and-tan dog in the Telefomin District . He wrote that these dogs live with native people in the mountains, and that there were feral populations living in the alpine and sub-alpine grasslands of the Star Mountains and the Wharton Range . [ 6 ] Compared with other forms of dog, the New Guinea singing dog is described as relatively short-legged and broad-headed. These dogs have an average shoulder height of 31–46 cm (12–18 in) and weigh 9–14 kg (20–31 lb) . They do not have rear dewclaws . [ 16 ] The limbs and spine of the New Guinea singing dog are very flexible and they can spread their legs sideways to 90°, comparable to the Norwegian Lundehund . They can also rotate their front and hind paws more than domestic dogs, which enables them to climb trees with thick bark or branches that can be reached from the ground; however, their climbing skills do not reach the same level as those of the gray fox , [ 31 ] and are similar to those of a cat. [ 32 ] The eyes, which are highly reflective, are triangular (or almond-shaped) and are angled upwards from the inner to outer corners with dark eye rims. Eye color ranges from dark amber to dark brown. Their eyes exhibit a bright green glow when lights are shone on them in low light conditions. There are two features which researchers believe allow New Guinea singing dogs to see more clearly in low light. [ 31 ] One is that of their pupils, which open wider and allow in more light than in other dog varieties. The other is that they possess a higher concentration of cells in the tapetum . New Guinea singing dogs have erect, pointed, fur-lined ears. As with other wild dogs, the ears 'perk,' or lay forward, which is suspected to be an important survival feature for the form. The ears can be rotated like a directional receiver to pick up faint sounds. Their tails are bushy, long enough to reach the hock , free of kinks, and have a white tip. Pups are born with a dark chocolate brown pelt with gold flecks and reddish tinges, which changes to light brown by the age of six weeks. Adult coloration occurs around four months of age. For adult dogs, the colors brown, black, and tan have been reported, all with white points. The sides of the neck and zonal stripes behind the scapula are golden. Black and very dark guard hair is generally lightly allocated over the hair of the spine, concentrating on the back of the ears and the surface of the tail over the white tip. The muzzle is always bl
Reproduction
The New Guinea singing dog possesses an annual seasonality, and if not impregnated will have a second estrus within a few weeks after the end of the first. Sometimes they will have a third. [ 39 ] Males in captivity often participate in raising the pups, including the regurgitation of food. Female New Guinea singing dogs are protective of their young and will aggressively attack their male counterpart if they suspect he poses a danger to the pups. During the first breeding season following their birth, especially if there is a potential mate present, pups are often aggressively attacked by the same-sex parent. [ 16 ]
Vocalizations
New Guinea singing dogs are named for their distinctive and melodious howl, which is characterized by a sharp increase in pitch at the start and very high frequencies at the end. [ 37 ] The howling of these dogs can be clearly differentiated from that of Australian dingoes , and differs significantly from that of grey wolves and coyotes . [ 38 ] [ better source needed ] An individual howl lasts an average of 3 seconds, but can last as long as 5 seconds. At the start, the frequency rises and stabilizes for the rest of the howling, but normally shows abrupt changes in frequency. Modulations can change quickly every 300–500 milliseconds or every second. Five to eight overtones can generally be distinguished in a spectrographic analysis of the howling. [ 16 ] New Guinea singing dogs sometimes howl together, which is commonly referred to as chorus howling. During chorus howling, one dog starts and others join in shortly afterward. In most cases, chorus howling is well synchronized, and the howls of the group end nearly simultaneously. Spontaneous howling is most common during the morning and evening hours. [ 36 ] [ page needed ] A trill, with a distinctly "bird-like" character, is emitted during high arousal. It is a high-frequency pulsed signal whose spectral appearance suggests a continuous source that is periodically interrupted, and might last as long as 800 milliseconds. Such a sound is not known for any other canid; however, a similar sound (with lower frequency) has been described for a dhole at the Moscow Zoo . [ 16 ] When they are kept with dogs that bark, New Guinea singing dogs may mimic the other dogs. [ 36 ] [ page needed ]