New Research Sheds Light on One of the Least Studied Canids in the World

January 16, 2025

Known for its vast biodiversity, the Amazon is home to thousands of endemic species—some of which researchers have yet to fully study. To deepen our understanding of the Amazon’s ecosystems and the diverse organisms that sustain its vitality, Amazon Conservation’s research hubs in the Peruvian and Bolivian Amazon provide cutting-edge technologies and resources that can empower students, researchers, and scientists to uncover insights into some of the Amazon’s most elusive species.

One of these lesser-known species hiding away in the Amazon is the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis), classified as one of the least-studied canids in the world due to its reclusive nature and low population density. As a result, developing targeted research strategies on this species has been underprioritized given the significant lack of baseline data on the species’ behavior, ecology, and population dynamics.

What importance does studying such a secretive species bring to the world of biological diversity? When it comes to the Amazon Biome, everything from the largest birds down to even the smallest ant has a critical role, whether it be decomposition, seed dispersal, population control, pollination, and more, to keep the forest thriving. Many of Amazon Conservation’s research projects, including our Andean Bear Conservation Project, target certain species to analyze how their populations and behaviors affect these certain functions of the forest that are vital to balancing the Amazon’s delicate ecosystem.

This new study carried out at our Los Amigos Biological Station provides the first published comprehensive analysis of wild and re-introduced short-eared dogs’ diets. Once thought to be carnivorous, new data uncovers they are mesocarnivores and omnivorous in nature, shedding light on important potential implications for its role in sustaining forest dynamics via seed dispersal and regulating prey populations.

The study reveals a complex and diverse dietary range that encompasses various insect, amphibian, bird, mammal, and even crustacean species in addition to a variety of plant species. This new research provides new perspectives on the unique ecological role of the short-eared dog in the western Amazon and its relationship to the forests’ trophic dynamics. 

Read the full study here.