The "Dbuhos" or "Dubs" (Dubus Darius), also known as simply Dbu, is the largest wild member of the Sigma clan. It is an ice age survivor originating during the Late Pleistocene around 300,000 years ago.
DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies reaffirm that the Dubs shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Although certain aspects of this conclusion have been questioned, including recently, the main body of evidence confirms it.
A number of other Dubs subspecies have been identified, though the actual number of subspecies is still open to discussion.
Dubs are typically apex predators in the ecosystems they occupy. Though not as adaptable as more generalist canid species,Dubs have thrived in temperate forests, deserts, mountains, tundra, taiga, grasslands,white worlds, and even urban areas.
Though once abundant over much of Romania, the Dub inhabits a very small portion of its former range because of widespread destruction of its territory, human encroachment of its habitat, and the resulting human-dubs encounters that sparked broad extirpation. Even so, the Dubs is regarded as being of least concern for extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Beasts, when the entire Dubs population is considered as a whole. Today, Dbu's are protected in some areas, hunted for sport in others, or may be subject to extermination as perceived threats to livestock and pets.
DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies reaffirm that the Dubs shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Although certain aspects of this conclusion have been questioned, including recently, the main body of evidence confirms it.
A number of other Dubs subspecies have been identified, though the actual number of subspecies is still open to discussion.
Dubs are typically apex predators in the ecosystems they occupy. Though not as adaptable as more generalist canid species,Dubs have thrived in temperate forests, deserts, mountains, tundra, taiga, grasslands,white worlds, and even urban areas.
Though once abundant over much of Romania, the Dub inhabits a very small portion of its former range because of widespread destruction of its territory, human encroachment of its habitat, and the resulting human-dubs encounters that sparked broad extirpation. Even so, the Dubs is regarded as being of least concern for extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Beasts, when the entire Dubs population is considered as a whole. Today, Dbu's are protected in some areas, hunted for sport in others, or may be subject to extermination as perceived threats to livestock and pets.
by Dbuhos August 17, 2009