Eastern Wolf Genetics

The status of Algonquin National Park’s Eastern Wolves has been a source of debate. Some studies have “shown” they are a full species, others that they are a wolf/coyote hybrid.

This new paper offers evidence that Eastern Wolves (Canis lycaon) are evolutionarily distinct from both Coyotes and regular Wolves (Canis lupus) but likely conspecific with Red Wolves.

What are the thoughts of all those out there who understand genetics better than me? (Which is most of you I imagine)

Jon

1 Comment

  • vdinets

    It’s clear that C. lycaon deserves a full species status. The remaining question is, is it conspecific with C. rufus? Unfortunately, the authors didn’t bother to include the latter in their sample.

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