The geographical distribution of grey wolves (Canis lupus) in China: a systematic review

Zool Res. 2016 Nov 18;37(6):315-326. doi: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2016.6.315.

Abstract

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is one of the most widely distributed terrestrial mammals, and its distribution and ecology in Europe and North America are largely well described. However, the distribution of grey wolf in southern China is still highly controversial. Several well-known western literatures stated that there are no grey wolves in southern China, while the presence of grey wolf across China has been indicated in A Guide to the Mammals of China, published by Princeton University Press. It is essential to solve this discrepancy since dogs may have originated from grey wolfs in southern China. Therefore, we systematically investigated Chinese literatures about wild animal surveys and identified more than 100 articles and books that included information of the distribution of grey wolves in China. We also surveyed the collections of three Chinese natural museums and found 26 grey wolf skins specimens collected across China. Moreover, we investigated the fossil records of wolf in China and identified 25 archaeological sites with wolf remains including south China. In conclusion, with the comprehensive summary of Chinese literatures, museum specimens and fossil records, we demonstrate that grey wolves does distribute across all parts of the Chinese mainland, including the most southern parts of China.

Keywords: China; Conservation; Distribution; Grey wolf.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • China
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Wolves*

Grants and funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91531303), the 973 program (2013CB835200 and 2013CB835202), the Breakthrough Project of Strategic Priority Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB13000000), and grants from the Carl Trygger Foundation and the Agria and Swedish Kennel Club research foundation. GD Wang is supported by the Youth Innovation Promotion Association, Chinese Academy of Sciences