Buffalo wolf (Canus lupus nubilus) skeleton discovered near Eyebrow, Saskatchewan
1976; Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club; Volume: 90; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.5962/p.345114
ISSN0008-3550
Autores Tópico(s)Forensic and Genetic Research
ResumoOn 8 June 1973 the major portion of a wolf skeleton, later identified by the National Museum of Canada as the subspecies Canis lupus nubilus (C.G. van Zyll de Jong, personal communication), was exposed 16km north of the town of Eyebrow, Saskatchewan.This subspecies of wolf disappeared from the prairies in the 1930s and the specimen represents the most complete skeleton located in Canada to date.The coulee where the specimen was found is distinct from nearby coulees along the Qu'Appelle Valley.It is prominently dissected and wooded with many variably exposed ridges throughout.Eyebrow Lake is located at the base of the coulee.The excavation of a coyote (Canis latrans) den on a steep east-facing slope resulted in the collapse of the den site exposing a larger chamber 0.6 m in diameter.Soil texture varied between sand and sandy loam.This chamber appeared to be airtight and not connected to the coyote den, and the wolf skeleton was found inside, partially buried and lying on its right side.The skeleton, believed to be an adult male, was in excellent condition.The following skeletal elements were collected: skull, a complete cranium with both mandibles; vertebrae, seven cervical including the atlas and axis, nine thoracic, five lumbar including three that were fused as a result of injury or disease, the sacrum, and four caudal; ribs, 20; forelimb, left scapula, left humerus, left radius, and left ulna; hindlimb, pelvis, proximal end of the right femur, left
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