Editing Maned wolf (section)

==Description==
[[File:Canidae - Chrysocion brachyurus.webm|thumb|thumbtime=8|Video of captive maned wolf at [[Singapore Zoo]]]]
The species was described in 1815 by Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger, initially as ''Canis brachyurus''. Lorenz Oken classified it as ''Vulpes cancosa'', and only in 1839 did Charles Hamilton Smith describe the genus ''Chrysocyon''. Other authors later considered it as a member of the ''Canis ''genus.<ref name=":0" /> Fossils of ''Chrysocyon'' dated from the Late Pleistocene and Holocene epochs were collected in one of [[Peter Wilhelm Lund|Peter Wilheim Lund]] expeditions to [[Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais|Lagoa Santa]], Minas Gerais (Brazil). The specimen is kept in the South American Collection of the [https://geogenetics.ku.dk/facilities-at-centre-for-geogenetics/collections/south-america/ Zoologisk Museum] in Denmark. Since no other record exists of fossils in other areas, the species is suggested to have evolved in this geographic region.<ref name=":0" />

The maned wolf bears minor similarities to the [[red fox]], although it belongs to a different genus and is considerably larger and differently built. The average adult weighs {{convert|23|kg|abbr=on}} and stands up to {{convert|110|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall at the shoulder, and  has a head-body length of {{convert|100|cm|in|abbr=on}}, with the tail adding another {{convert|45|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name= "dietz">{{cite journal |last=Dietz |first=J. M. |year=1984 |title=Ecology and social organization of the maned wolf (''Chrysocyon brachyurus'') |journal= Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology |doi=10.5479/si.00810282.392 |volume= 392 |issue=392 |pages=1–51}}</ref> Its ears are large and long {{cvt|18|cm}}.<ref name="Maned Wolf Facts">{{cite web| title=Maned Wolf Facts|website=National Zoological Park| url= http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Facts/manedwolffacts.cfm|access-date= 2015-11-05|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151031125754/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Facts/manedwolffacts.cfm|archive-date=2015-10-31}}</ref>

The maned wolf is the tallest of the wild canids; its long legs are likely an adaptation to the tall grasslands of its native habitat.<ref name="EoM">{{cite book |editor-last=Macdonald |editor-first=David W. |last=Dietz |first=James |year=1984 |title=The Encyclopedia of Mammals |publisher=Facts on File |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/31 31] |isbn=978-0-87196-871-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/31 }}</ref> Fur of the maned wolf may be reddish-brown to golden orange on the sides with long, black legs, and a distinctive black [[:wikt:mane|mane]]. The coat is marked further with a whitish tuft at the tip of the tail and a white "bib" beneath the throat. The mane is erectile and typically is used to enlarge the wolf's profile when threatened or when displaying aggression. Melanistic maned wolves do exist, but are rare. The first photograph of a black adult maned wolf was taken by a camera trap in northern [[Minas Gerais]] in Brazil in 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wwf.org.br/informacoes/english/?36543/WWF-Brazil-partner-photographs-unique-black-maned-wolf| title=WWF-Brazil partner photographs unique black maned wolf|author=Moraes, Bruno|date=14 October 2013 |publisher=WWF-Brazil}}</ref><ref name=WLT>{{cite web| url= http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2015/03/black-maned-wolf-people-s-choice| title=Black Maned Wolf is the People's Choice|website=World Land Trust| date=2015-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Ferreira GB, Barros CS, Costa AB, Dias TS, Oliveira MJ| date=2017|title=First ever record of a black-coloured maned wolf| url= http://www.canids.org/CBC/20/Black_maned_wolf.pdf|journal=Canid Biology & Conservation|volume=20|issue=10|pages=42–45|access-date=2018-12-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011642/http://www.canids.org/CBC/20/Black_maned_wolf.pdf|archive-date=2018-01-03}}</ref>

[[File:Chrysocyon brachyurus 02 MWNH 3541.jpg|thumb|The skull]]
[[File:Maned wolf “Chrysocyon brachyurus”.jpg|thumb|The skeleton]]
The skull can be identified by its reduced [[carnassial]]s, small upper incisors, and long canine teeth.<ref name=dietz/> Like other canids, it has 42 teeth with the [[dental formula]] {{DentalFormula|upper=3.1.4.2|lower=3.1.4.3|total=42}}. The maned wolf's [[rhinarium]] extends to the upper lip, similar to the [[bush dog]], but its [[vibrissae]] are longer.<ref name=dietz/> The skull also features a prominent [[sagittal crest]].

[[File:HD Abdruck Mähnenwolf.jpg|thumb|The footprint]]
The maned wolf's footprints are similar to those of the [[dog]], but have disproportionately small plantar pads when compared to the well-opened digit marks.<ref>Leite Pitman, M.R.P., Gomes de Oliveira, T., Paula, R. C., and Indrusiak, C. (eds.) (2002). [http://www.academia.edu/342036/Manual_de_identificacao_prevencao_e_controle_de_predacao_por_carnivoros ''Manual de identificação, prevenção e controle de predação por carnívoros'']. Associação Pró-carnívoros/IBAMA. Brasília, Brasil.</ref><ref>Borges, Paulo André Lima and Tomas, Walfrido Moraes 
 (2008)[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236840221_Guia_de_Rastros_e_outros_vestigios_de_mamiferos_do_Pantanal ''Guia de Rastros e outros vestígios de mamíferos do Pantanal'']. Embrapa Pantanal. {{ISBN|85-98893-01-3}}</ref> The dog has pads up to three times larger than the maned wolf's footprint.<ref name=borges2004>{{cite book| last1=Borges|first1=P. L.| last2= Tomás| first2=W. M.|year=2004|title=Guia de rastros e outros vestígios de mamíferos do Pantanal|location=Corumbá|publisher=Embrapa Pantanal|isbn=85-98893-01-3|page=148}}</ref> These pillows have a triangular shape.<ref name= borges2004/> The front footprints are {{cvt|7|–|9|cm}} long and {{cvt|5.5|–|7|cm}} wide, and those of the hind feet are {{cvt|6.5|–|9|cm}} long and {{cvt|6.5|–|8.5|cm}} wide.<ref name= borges2004/> One feature that differentiates the maned wolf's footprint from those of other South American canids is the proximal union of the third and fourth digits.<ref name=dietz/>

The maned wolf also is known for the distinctive [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]-like odor of its territory markings, which has earned it the nickname "skunk wolf".

===Genetics===
Genetically, the maned wolf has 37 pairs of [[autosomes]] within diploid genes, with a [[karyotype]] similar to that of other canids.  It has 76 chromosomes, so cannot interbreed with other canids.<ref name=dietz/> Evidence suggests that 15,000 years ago, the species suffered a reduction in its [[genetic diversity]], called the [[bottleneck effect]]. However, its diversity is still greater than that of other canids.<ref name=paula/>