Differences in boldness between Eurasian and American wolves (Canis lupus) might be based on adaptive mechanisms

TL;DR

The study found that North American wolves are bolder than Eurasian wolves, suggesting evolutionary adaptations based on subspecies differences.

Contribution

The study introduces novel insights into subspecies-specific boldness in wolves using captive populations and validated behavioral tests.

Findings

North American wolf subspecies show significantly higher boldness compared to Eurasian subspecies.

Inter-subspecies differences in boldness traits are more pronounced than within-group or individual differences.

Boldness and related personality traits vary significantly between pure wolves and wolf hybrids.

Abstract

Boldness – defined as the propensity of individuals to take risks – is a key research area within animal behavioural studies, significantly affecting adaptive strategies, habitat selection, foraging behaviour, reproduction, dispersal, and other crucial survival behaviours. Despite the extensive study of personality traits like extraversion and curiosity across various animal species, data on wolves (Canis lupus), particularly on the subspecies level, remains sparse. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining boldness and its associated personality traits in different wolf subspecies (Canis lupus lupus, Canis lupus arctos, Canis lupus lycaon) (n = 23), and wolf‐dog hybrids (n = 10), utilising novel object interaction tests and validated questionnaires previously applied to wild canids. Our results show significant differences in boldness as well as in related personality traits between taxa, both between pure wolves and wolf hybrids, with significantly higher boldness of North American subspecies. The inter‐subspecies differences were more significant than the differences between groups or at the individual level, suggesting that subspecies ecology and historical selection pressure in subspecies history might have caused long‐lasting adaptations in Canis lupus ssp.

Boldness – defined as the propensity of individuals to take risks – is a key research area in animal behaviour; however, some species, like wolves, are sparsely studied. We investigated differences in bold behaviour and its associated personality traits in different subspecies of captive wolves. We found significant differences in boldness as well as in related personality traits between taxa, both between pure wolves and wolf hybrids, with more significant inter‐subspecies differences than within‐group or individual differences.

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