Himalayan wolf
Q. The most ancient wolf lineage known to science is- Published on 29 Apr 16a. Indian wolf
b. Himalayan wolf
c. European wolf
d. Tropical wolf
ANSWER: Himalayan wolf
- Scientists have confirmed the presence of the critically endangered Himalayan wolf - the most ancient wolf lineage known - in Nepal's largest protected area.
- When compared to the European wolf, this one stands out with its smaller size, unusually longer muzzle and stumpy legs.
- Another clearly distinctive feature is the white colouration around the throat, chest, belly and inner part of the limbs. On the other hand, its characteristic woolly body fur has given the subspecies the common name 'woolly wolf'.
- However, the distinctiveness of the Himalayan wolf is far more than skin-deep. Researchers note that recent studies have already showed that these wolves have split as a separate branch within the 'tree of life' so long ago that they are divergent from the whole globally distributed wolf-dog clade.
- Having undergone such an isolated evolution, the Himalayan wolf is considered of particular conservation concern.
- These are genetically distinct wolves.
