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Journal Publications
Wilson P.J.,
Grewal S., Lawford I.D., Heal J.N.M.,
Granacki A.G., Pennock D., Theberge J.D., Theberge M.T.,
Voigt D.R., Waddell W., Chambers R.E., Paquet P.C.,
Goulet G.,
Cluff D., and White B.N. 2000 DNA profiles of the eastern Canadian wolf
and the red wolf provide evidence for a common evolutionary history
independent of the gray wolf Can. J. Zool. 78: 2156–2166
(PDF = 357
KB)
Abstract:
The origin and taxonomy of the red wolf
(Canis rufus) have been the subject of considerable debate and ithas been
suggested that this taxon was recently formed as a result of hybridization
between the coyote and gray wolf. Like the red wolf, the eastern Canadian
wolf has been characterized as a small “deer-eating” wolf that hybridizes
with coyotes (Canis latrans). While studying the population of eastern
Canadian wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park we recognized similarities to
the red wolf, based on DNA profiles at 8 micro satellite loci. We examined
whether this relationship was due to similar levels of introgressed coyote
genetic material by comparing the microsatellite alleles with those of other
North American populations of wolves and coyotes. These analyses indicated
that it was not coyote genetic material which led to the close genetic
affinity between red wolves and eastern Canadian wolves. We then examined
the control region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and confirmed the
presence of coyote sequences in both. However, we also found sequences in
both that diverged by 150 000 – 300 000 years from sequences found in
coyotes. None of the red wolves or eastern Canadian wolf samples from the
1960s contained gray wolf (Canis lupus) mtDNAsequences. The data are not
consistent with the hypothesis that the eastern Canadian wolf is a
subspecies of gray wolf as it is presently designated. We suggest that both
the red wolf and the eastern Canadian wolf evolved in North America sharing
a common lineage with the coyote until 150 000 – 300 000 years ago. We
propose that it retain its original species designation, Canis lycaon. |
