Coat colour metrics from African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) with associated climate and habitat data, 1988-2021

This dataset describes coat colour metrics for free-ranging African wild dogs across the African continent, derived from photographic images, with associated climate and habitat data.

Each line of data represents an individual animal. For each animal, the file reports a geographical location (place name and lat/long), and coat colour metrics (proportion of tan, black, and white fur), as well as mean annual rainfall, annual mean daily maximum temperature, ecoregion, and an indication of whether the location falls inside (1) or outside (0) the geographical range of mopane trees.

The purpose of the research was to determine whether climate had influenced the phenotype of the African wild dog, in order to explore whether it might be able to adapt to a changing climate.