Coyotes in New York City Carry Variable Genomic Dog Ancestry and Influence Their Interactions with Humans

Genes, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(9), P. 1661 - 1661

Published: Sept. 16, 2022

Coyotes are ubiquitous on the North American landscape as a result of their recent expansion across continent. They have been documented in heart some most urbanized cities, such Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. Here, we explored genomic composition 16 coyotes metropolitan area to investigate demography admixture for urban-dwelling canids Queens County, York. We identified moderate-to-high estimates relatedness among living (r = 0.0–0.5) adjacent neighborhoods, suggestive relatively small population. Although found low background levels domestic-dog ancestry our sample (5%), male suspected be first-generation coyote–dog hybrid with 46% dog ancestry, well his two putative backcrossed offspring that carried approximately 25% ancestry. The one each transposable element insertions associated human-directed hypersociability dogs gray wolves. An additional, unrelated coyote little also these insertions. These genetic patterns suggest gene flow from domestic may become an increasingly important consideration continue inhabit regions.

Language: Английский

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Wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758

Handbook of the mammals of Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 62

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Pelage variation in dingoes across southeastern Australia: implications for conservation and management

Journal of Zoology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 314(2), P. 104 - 115

Published: Feb. 14, 2021

Abstract How to manage hybridization and introgression in wild animals is controversial. Wildlife managers researchers may often rely upon phenotypic variables such as coat colour inform on ground management decisions. In Australia, dingoes are typically believed be ginger colour, unusual colours brindle or sable widely posited evidence of contemporary domestic dog hybridization. We carried out microsatellite‐based genotyping 1325 canids from southeastern Australia known estimate the extent introgression. A key aim our study was examine relationship between ancestry dingoes. observed that 27.4% samples were with no whilst 72.6% some ancestry. Our data confirm feral dogs, dogs dingo ancestry, rare wild, representing less than 1.5% population. There could distinguish without each other. Contrary popular belief, patchy positively associated common mixed finding this work should not used assess Further research needed uncover antiquity, origin potential adaptive value these genomic regions. It possible a similar example has been North American wolves black colour. These add perspective global debates about how conserve enigmatic animal populations presence modern historical

Language: Английский

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Morphological relationships among populations support a single taxonomic unit for the North American Gray Wolf

Journal of Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(3), P. 562 - 577

Published: Jan. 21, 2023

Abstract The Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) is viewed as one of the most diverse mammal species. In North America, diversity its forms debated, with views conflicting on subspecies designation. present study aimed to reinvestigate skull morphometric variation among American populations while attempting unveil underlying causal factors. A large sample vouchered museum skulls, collected from 12 ecogeographical spanning range species, was examined and 21 craniodental characters were measured. Skull shape showed within-population variations but provided evidence for a high morphological affinity populations. Allometric analyses also pointed similar evolutionary paths However, significant size-related differentiation revealed within size could be related three insulin-like growth factor-1 gene (IGF-1) alleles. Ecological conditions that should determine prey type availability accounted variation. contrast, no geographical isolation detected. results support existence single pool gray wolf equated taxonomic unit. This raises again question in this species America calls into validity previously recognized based genetics morphology.

Language: Английский

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The natural history and ecology of melanism in red wolf and coyote populations of the southeastern United States – evidence for Gloger’s rule

BMC Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: June 20, 2022

Gloger's rule postulates that animals should be darker colored in warm and humid regions where dense vegetation dark environments are common. Although rare Canis populations, melanism wolves is more common North America than other globally believed to follow rule. In the temperate forests of southeastern United States, historical records red wolf (Canis rufus) coyote latrans) populations document a consistent presence melanism. Today, melanistic phenotype extinct while occurring coyotes wolf-coyote hybrids who occupy wolf's range. To assess if could explain occurrence maintenance phenotypes taxa, we investigated differences morphology, habitat selection, survival associated with pelage color using body measurements, GPS tracking data, long-term capture-mark-recapture radio-telemetry data collected on across States.We found no correlation between morphometrics for taxa. However, observed experienced greater annual did their gray conspecifics. Furthermore, maintained larger home ranges exhibited selection areas canopy cover wetlands coyotes.In influenced by providing evidence applicable canids inhabiting wetlands. Greater rates may attributed better concealment such as coastal bottomland forests. We suggest range sizes reflect trade-off reduced foraging efficiency lower quality wetland improved survival. Larger differential use land facilitate weak assortative mating eastern which have success finding compatible mates comparison offer our observations provide partial explanation why relatively low (< 10%) but within throughout parts

Language: Английский

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Considering Pleistocene North American wolves and coyotes in the eastern Canis origin story

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(13), P. 9137 - 9147

Published: June 5, 2021

Abstract The evolutionary origins and hybridization patterns of Canis species in North America have been hotly debated for the past 30 years. Disentangling ancestry timing Great Lakes wolves, eastern Canadian red coyotes are most often partitioned into a 2‐species model that assigns all to gray wolves and/or coyotes, 3‐species includes third, American evolved wolf genome. proposed models address recent or sometimes late Holocene events but largely ignored potential Pleistocene era progenitors opportunities may impacted current mixed genomes Canada United States. Here, we re‐analyze contemporary ancient mitochondrial DNA with Bayesian phylogenetic analyses more accurately estimate divergence dates among lineages. We combine review literature on Late distributions to: (a) identify southern wolves; (b) illuminate events. Specifically, propose Beringian ( C. lupus ) extinct large wolf‐like latrans orcutti likely Mexican Plains respectively, represent potentially unrecognized source introgressed genomic variation within genomes. These speak provide new perspective ancestry, do not negate conservation priorities dwindling populations unique signatures key ecologically critical roles.

Language: Английский

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Survival, cause‐specific mortality, and population growth of white‐tailed deer in western Virginia

Journal of Wildlife Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 88(2)

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Abstract Understanding the role of recruitment in population dynamics white‐tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) is important for management. In central Appalachian Mountains, are part a largely forested ecosystem that supports 3 carnivore species thought to be capable influencing recruitment: black bears Urus americanus ), coyotes Canis latrans and bobcats Lynx rufus ). Yet little known about predation, how other environmental factors influence recruitment, or importance neonate survival performance region. Our objectives were identify causes mortality neonates, analyze effects landscape attributes on estimate rates neonates adult female deer, model growth trends based current vital hypothetical harvest scenarios. During 2019–2020, we captured 57 Bath County, Virginia, USA, by monitoring 38 pregnant females equipped with global positioning system collars vaginal implant transmitters conducting transect searches recently born neonates. We observed 37 mortalities identified cause death using field genetic evidence. Mortalities included 28 predation events 9 deaths from (e.g., abandonment, malnutrition, disease). Black accounted 48.6% mortalities, 64.2% n = 18), followed 5) 3). Annual was 0.871 12 weeks old 0.310. Elevation significant predictor survival; risk increased 20% every 100‐m increase elevation. Models annual predicted an increasing (λ 1.10). A 10% would still result potential 2% 1.02), but rate 7% decline 0.93). Neonate higher near fertile valley bottoms lower along ridges characterized shallow, infertile soils limited edge early successional forests. While influenced bears, leading contributed low survival, evidence decline, suggest there opportunity modest deer.

Language: Английский

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Wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758

Handbook of the mammals of Europe, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 62

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

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Coyotes can do ‘puppy dog eyes’ too: comparing interspecific variation in Canis facial expression muscles

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Facial expressions are critical for non-verbal communication. The Canis genus epitomizes the interplay between behaviour and morphology in evolution of Recent work suggests that levator anguli oculi medialis (LAOM) muscle is unique to dogs ( familiaris ) within evolved due domestication. LAOM raises inner eyebrows, resulting ‘puppy dog eyes’ expression. Here, we test whether a derived trait by (i) examining facial expression muscles closely related ancestral wild species, coyote C. latrans (ii) comparing our results with other canid taxa. We discover coyotes have well-developed like dogs, which differs from modified/absent grey wolves. Our findings challenge hypothesis developed suggest basal was lost Additionally, find inter- intraspecific variations size outer ear, forehead, lips rostrum, indicating potential adaptations sensory perception, communication individual-level functional canids. Together, this research expands knowledge expressions, their role

Language: Английский

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Dispelling myths about the origins of wolf–coyote hybrids and related <i>Canis</i> species in Ontario

The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 136(2), P. 139 - 144

Published: Nov. 7, 2022

Long-standing myths exist about the origins of wolf–coyote hybrids and related Canis species in Ontario. Specifically, there is a perceived controversy whether they are product natural hybridization that occurred between wolves coyotes wild during last century or descendants animals escaped were released from captive colonies controlled breeding experiments. We review relevant evidence conclude experiments unlikely to have played any role

Language: Английский

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