What are hyenas
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Understanding Hyenas: Ecological and Social Diversity
Introduction to Hyenas: Ecological and Social Diversity
Hyenas, belonging to the family Hyaenidae, are fascinating creatures known for their ecological and social diversity. Despite having only four extant species, hyenas exhibit a wide range of behaviors and adaptations that surpass those of many larger carnivore families such as canids and felids1. This article delves into the unique characteristics, social structures, and ecological roles of these remarkable animals.
Species of Hyenas: Aardwolf, Striped, Brown, and Spotted Hyenas
Aardwolf (Proteles cristata)
The aardwolf is a specialized insectivore, primarily feeding on termites. Unlike other hyenas, it has a more solitary lifestyle and is less aggressive1.
Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena)
The striped hyena is found across Africa and Asia, often inhabiting semi-arid desert steppes and grasslands. It is an omnivorous scavenger, known for its ability to adapt to various environments, including human-dominated landscapes5 6 7. However, its distribution is shrinking due to habitat loss and human encroachment5.
Brown Hyena (Parahyaena brunnea)
The brown hyena is the rarest of the four species, with an estimated population of fewer than 10,000 individuals. It has extremely low genetic diversity due to a prolonged decline in population size, which started around 1 million years ago and accelerated towards the end of the Pleistocene2. Despite this, brown hyenas show no signs of inbreeding and maintain several subpopulations across southern Africa2.
Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
The spotted hyena is perhaps the most well-known species, living in complex social groups called clans. These clans are characterized by female dominance and intricate social hierarchies, similar to those of some primates3 4. Spotted hyenas are highly adaptable, often found near human settlements where they scavenge on waste8. They are also significant bone collectors and modifiers, which has implications for studies on hominid evolution9.
Social Structures and Behaviors
Clan Dynamics in Spotted Hyenas
Spotted hyenas live in large, multifemale, multimale clans with distinct dominance hierarchies. Female hyenas remain in their natal clans, while males disperse to join new groups. This social structure is crucial for hunting large prey and defending territories3 4. The clans exhibit a balance between cooperation and competition, with dominance rank influencing access to resources and reproductive success3.
Communication and Territory Marking
All hyena species communicate through a combination of vocalizations, body postures, and chemical signals. They mark their territories using scent glands, which play a vital role in maintaining social order and deterring intruders1.
Ecological Roles and Adaptations
Habitat Preferences
Hyenas occupy a variety of habitats, from deserts to montane forests and open savannas. Striped hyenas, for instance, prefer open landscapes along rivers and human settlements, where they have access to food and water6. Spotted hyenas, on the other hand, are often found near urban waste dumps, highlighting their adaptability to human-altered environments8.
Historical and Evolutionary Context
The family Hyaenidae was once much more diverse, with at least 24 species during the Late Miocene. These included both robust, bone-cracking forms and dog-like species. Over time, the family has declined in diversity and geographic range, now limited to Africa and the Middle East1. The giant short-faced hyena, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, was one of the most notable extinct species, known for its massive size and bone-cracking abilities10.
Conclusion
Hyenas are a unique group of carnivores with a rich ecological and social diversity. From the termite-eating aardwolf to the complex social structures of the spotted hyena, these animals have adapted to a wide range of environments and ecological niches. Understanding their behaviors, social structures, and evolutionary history provides valuable insights into the adaptability and resilience of this remarkable family.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Hyena societies
Hyenas exhibit ecological and social diversity, occupying diverse habitats and filling specialized niches, with four living species in the family Hyaenidae.
Extended and Continuous Decline in Effective Population Size Results in Low Genomic Diversity in the World’s Rarest Hyena Species, the Brown Hyena
Brown hyenas have extremely low genetic diversity, likely due to a continuous decline in population size since the Pleistocene, with potential subpopulations within the species.
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedSocial Facilitation, Affiliation, and Dominance in the Social Life of Spotted Hyenas a
Spotted hyenas balance cooperation and competition within their social life, with individual differences in cooperation and competition emerging from a general tendency to do-what-other-hyenas-are-doing.
Society, demography and genetic structure in the spotted hyena
Spotted hyenas maintain strong social relationships with kin year-round, despite resource limitations, despite differences in social structure and resource access.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedShrinking striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena Linnaeus, 1758) distribution in Nepal
Striped hyena distribution in Nepal has significantly decreased, limiting their presence to lowlands and hill areas, requiring community-based conservation efforts.
Habitat preference indicators for striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Nepal
Striped hyenas prefer open landscapes along rivers and human settlements, with canopy volume and distance to water sources being key factors in their habitat preferences.
Pollen analysis of present-day striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) scats from central Iran: Implications for dryland paleoecology and animal paleoethology
Striped hyena scats reveal detailed information on regional vegetation, foraging behavior, and diet, aiding in reconstructing dryland paleoecology and animal paleoethology.
Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) concentrate around urban waste dumps across Tigray, northern Ethiopia
Spotted hyenas in Tigray, northern Ethiopia, primarily concentrate around urban waste dumps at night for scavengeable food resources, mainly from livestock slaughterhouse waste.
Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) den use and taphonomy in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Spotted hyenas in Masai Mara Cave, Kenya, accumulate skeletal remains at a rate of 30.4 identified specimens and 4.1 prey individuals per year, with rates of accumulation varying based on den type.
Highly CitedThe giant short-faced hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris (Mammalia, Carnivora, Hyaenidae) from Northeast Asia: A reinterpretation of subspecies differentiation and intercontinental dispersal
The giant short-faced hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris brevirostris surprisingly appeared in Northeast Asia, challenging the conventional concept of subspecies and suggesting its origin and dispersal from Northeast Asia.
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