What are hyenas closely related to

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Hyenas' Closest Relatives: Evolutionary and Genetic Insights

Evolutionary History and Genetic Relationships of Hyenas

Hyenas, belonging to the family Hyaenidae, are a unique group of carnivores with a rich evolutionary history. The four extant species—spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), and aardwolf (Proteles cristatus)—are remnants of a once diverse lineage that included over 80 fossil species 15. Molecular studies have provided significant insights into their evolutionary relationships and origins.

African and Eurasian Lineages

Research indicates that the living spotted hyenas of Africa are closely related to the extinct Late Pleistocene cave hyenas from Europe and Asia. This relationship is supported by both morphological and ancient DNA data . The genus Crocuta, which includes both African spotted and Eurasian cave hyenas, shows a deep divergence of approximately 2.5 million years ago (Ma) between African and Eurasian populations. This divergence suggests that ancestral Crocuta left Africa around the same time as early Homo species . Despite this split, there was bidirectional gene flow between African and Eurasian Crocuta, complicating prior taxonomic classifications .

Genetic and Molecular Insights

Molecular systematics using a supermatrix of nuclear and mitochondrial genes has resolved the phylogenetic relationships among the four extant hyena species. The analyses consistently place the aardwolf as the most basal lineage, with the spotted hyena (Crocuta) as a sister group to the clade containing the brown hyena (Parahyaena) and the striped hyena (Hyaena) . This genetic evidence suggests that the aardwolf, despite its specialized termite-feeding habits, is derived from a lineage of bone and meat-eating hyenas .

Relatedness and Social Structure

Spotted hyenas exhibit complex social structures, living in clans that resemble the social systems of some primates, such as baboons and macaques. These clans are characterized by hierarchical structures and frequent social interactions among both kin and unrelated group members 36. Genetic studies have shown that within a clan, relatedness is higher within matrilines than among them, even across generations. However, overall relatedness within clans is low due to high levels of male-mediated gene flow among clans .

Conclusion

Hyenas are closely related to each other within the Hyaenidae family, with the aardwolf being the most basal lineage. The spotted hyena shares a close evolutionary relationship with the extinct Eurasian cave hyenas, and there has been significant gene flow between African and Eurasian populations. The complex social structures of spotted hyenas, combined with their genetic diversity, highlight the intricate evolutionary history and adaptive strategies of these fascinating carnivores.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Pleistocene Chinese cave hyenas and the recent Eurasian history of the spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta

Spotted hyenas originated from a widespread Eurasian population in the Late Pleistocene, with their recent history suggesting a recent migration out of Africa.

Rigorous Journal

2014·

38citations

·Guilian Sheng et al.

Hyena paleogenomes reveal a complex evolutionary history of cross-continental gene flow between spotted and cave hyena

Hyena paleogenomes reveal a complex evolutionary history with bidirectional gene flow between African and Eurasian Crocuta lineages, suggesting a deep divergence and potential adaptive advantages from admixture.

2020·

38citations

·M. Westbury et al.

Behavioural structuring of relatedness in the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) suggests direct fitness benefits of clan‐level cooperation

Spotted hyenas derive large net fitness benefits from clan-level cooperation, with low mean relatedness within clans suggesting they cooperate with unrelated clan-mates against close paternal kin in other clans.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

2004·

105citations

·R. V. Van Horn et al.

Long-Read Genome Sequencing Provides Molecular Insights into Scavenging and Societal Complexity in Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena's adaptive divergence in immune tolerance and social complexity may help it cope with prolonged dietary exposure to microbial pathogens.

Rigorous Journal

2022·

1citation

·Yong Shao et al.

Molecular systematics of the Hyaenidae: relationships of a relictual lineage resolved by a molecular supermatrix.

The molecular supermatrix resolves the evolutionary relationships among living hyena species, challenging traditional morphological assessments.

Highly Cited

2006·

107citations

·Klaus‐Peter Koepfli et al.

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 Cited

2012·

160citations

·K. Holekamp et al.

Genetic relatedness and space use in two populations of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena)

Higher per capita prey density in striped hyena populations leads to relaxed competition for food, greater social tolerance, and den sharing among females.

Rigorous Journal

2019·

10citations

·Katy J. Califf et al.

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 JournalHighly Cited

2018·

72citations

·M. Westbury et al.

Genome-Wide Analyses Provide Insights into the Scavenging Lifestyle of the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena).

The striped hyena's immune and digestive system-related gene families have significantly expanded, likely as an adaptive response to its scavenging lifestyle.

2020·

4citations

·Chuang Zhou et al.

Hyena societies

Hyenas exhibit ecological and social diversity, occupying diverse habitats and filling specialized niches, with four living species in the family Hyaenidae.

2007·

48citations

·H. Watts et al.

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