Morphology of the Japanese wolf (<i>Cains lupus hodophilax</i>): its research history and future research directions

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  • Suzuki Chihiro
    Graduate School of Animal Husbandry, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
  • Sasaki Motoki
    Graduate School of Animal Husbandry, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

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Other Title
  • ニホンオオカミの形態学～その研究史と今後の発展～
  • ニホンオオカミ ノ ケイタイガク : ソノ ケンキュウシ ト コンゴ ノ ハッテン

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Abstract

<p>The Japanese wolf (Canis lupus hodophilax) became extinct leaving many unanswered questions. Morphological research and discussions about the identification of the Japanese wolf have been carried out for many years, but the phylogenetic position of the Japanese wolf has not been determined in almost 180 years since Temminck established its scientific name as Canis hodophilax. Genetic analyses of the Japanese wolf have steadily progressed since 2009, leading to the conclusion that the Japanese wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf (C. lupus). Although morphological studies have not been able to reveal the phylogenetic position of the Japanese wolf, detailed osteological research has revealed many morphological features, especially in the cranial shape. It has been reported that the Japanese wolf has many characteristics different from other gray wolf subspecies and dogs, for example, a bisected rostral alar foramen and palatine bone with an anterior notch. However, it also has characteristics of both other wolf subspecies (undeveloped stop) and dogs (small flat tympanic bulla). Recently, three-dimensional analysis and reconstructions of the Japanese wolf have been made using digital morphological information. Morphological studies of the Japanese wolf will continue to be important for functional understanding.</p>

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