• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Patreon
  • Premium Membership
  • Services

Natural History

by Scottie Westfall

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« French bulldog vs. cat
Eurasian lynx vs. two dogs »

The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex

January 6, 2012 by SWestfall3

An Algonquin Park wolf. These wolves are naturally occurring hybrids between wolves and coyotes, not a unique "Eastern wolf" species as is commonly claimed. On average, they were found to share 58 percent of their genetic markers with wolves and 42 percent with coyotes.

One of the real problems in determining the exact taxonomy of the dog family is the interfertility that exist between certain species in the genus Canis.  The dog/dingo/New Guinea singing dog/Holarctic wolf species (Canis lupus) can interbreed with the coyote (Canis latrans), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), and the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) and produce fertile offspring.  Coyotes and golden jackals have been interbred in captivity and have also produced fertile offspring, so it is likely that all of these animals can hybridize with each other. According to the phylogenetic tree drawn from sequencing the dog genome, the Ethiopian wolf was the earliest offshoot of the interfertile Canis lineage , diverging 3 to 4 million years ago. And of the  “interfertile four,” it  is the most distantly related to the Canis lupus species, which strongly suggests that all four species can produce hybrids.

Potential interfetility alone is not the test for determining species, so one should not make the error of claiming that all of these interfertile dogs represent a single species.

They don’t.

Each of these animals has a unique evolutionary history, and they don’t normally hybridize in the wild.  Wolves and coyotes only cross when wolf populations are very low, and the male wolves mate with female coyotes. It is very difficult to get a dogs and golden jackals to crossbreed, though there may be be some evidence of dog genes in golden jackal population. Only the Bale Mountains National Park Ethiopian wolves have been found to cross with domestic dogs.

But various historical records, show that dogs and wolves got it on regularly when wolf populations were much higher and dogs were given more liberty. In the Old West, the best way to kill a wolf was to use a bitch in heat to draw in the male wolves. While the two were tied, it was very easy to come in with an ax or club and dispatch the male wolf, who was literally caught with his pants down. Male dogs were often known to go running off during wolf mating season, and they often returned– usually quite worn out. Wolves have been known to kill and eat other wolves that come into their territories, which is often how they will respond if a dog shows up. But there are historical accounts that show that wolf and dog interactions are much more complex than one might assume. The wolf and dog are now regarded as conspecifics. The dog is now believed to have derived from Eurasian wolves, with Middle Eastern wolf subspecies provided most of their current genetic diversity.

Dingoes and New Guinea singing dogs are derived from domestic dogs that went feral in their respective countries. Some natives of Papua New Guinea have hunting dogs that are derived from “wild” stock, and different groups of Indigenous Australians used dingoes as hunting dogs. So we now consider these animals to be derivatives of the wolf, but their most recent ancestors were domestic dogs. which were derive from wolves.

That’s why I say the Canis lupus is the Holarctic wolf/dingo/New Guinea singing dog/domestic dog species.

The existence of domestic dogs worldwide has caused a lot of confusion in classifying these species. Domestic dogs vary widely in appearance, and if an usual wolfish creature was spotted, it was assumed to be something unique. In reality, these creaturesmay have been nothing more than an aberrant domestic dog or a hybrid with a domestic dog.

Domestic dogs have contributed some genes to wild populations. Black wolves and coyotes received their melanism through hybridization with black domestic dogs.   Modern wild dog species do not have dewclaws on their hind legs, but domestic dogs do. Italian researchers found that if they found any wolf with dewclaws on the hind legs, they could be certain that it had some dog ancestry.

Now, the notion that dogs and wolves could be the same species isn’t as hard to fathom as another concept that stems from the interfertility between species in the genus Canis.

In North America, there has been some amount of gene flow between the dog and wolf species and the coyote.

Although Canis lupus and Canis latrans don’t regularly hybridize, they have done so enough to fundamentally change the genetic composition of each other.

Perhaps the first study to reveal the importance of this hybridization was Robert Wayne’s study of wolf and coyote mtDNA, which suggested that some wolves were actually coyote hybrids.  This study revealed an extensive hybrid zone between wolves and coyotes in North America, which likely resulted when wolf populations were decimated and the remaining wolves were forced to chose coyotes  for their mates.  Wayne’s research also pointed to the distinct possibility that the much ballyhooed red wolf was probably a hybrid, and this finding was confrimed in a microsatellite analysis.

In the early 90’s, this finding was not necessarily well-received. Supposed red wolves had been captured in Louisiana and East Texas, and these animals had been bred for decades in order to be released into the wild. In 1987, some red wolves from this breeding program was released into the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern North Carolina.  By the early 90’s, this program was one of the more successful attempts at restoring endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

Further, another microsatellite analysis revealed that the wolves of Algonquin Park in Ontario, which had been thought of as being derived from wolf/coyote hybrids, were actually a unique species. Proposed as the Eastern wolf species (Canis lycaon), it was believed to the same species as the red wolf. If these findings were true, then the only wolves to live in the temperate regions of North America were a unique species. The only survivors of this species were the wolves that lived in parts of Ontario and Quebec and the red wolf.

Microsatellite and mtDNA analysis are biased samples. They examine only a tiny part of the genome, and it is possible for these studies to produce really bad results.

What was needed was a study of nuclear DNA.

Unfortunately, studies of nuclear DNA were quite expensive and labor intensive.

It has been only in the last two years that really good analysis of dog and wolf genome has happened.

This spring, a study that examined 48,000 genetic markers within the genome of different populations of wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs revealed that the so called Eastern wolf and red wolf are simply not valid species. This was the most in depth analysis of the genetic material of any wild species and unlike the previous studies, included a broad sample of the genome.

They wolves of Algonquin Park are fairly close to 50/50 wolf and coyote hybrids, averaging 58 percent wolf and the rest coyote. The red wolf was found to be almost entirely coyote. On average, it was found to be 76 percent coyote and only 24 percent wolf.

It was also revealed that most Eastern coyotes have both wolf and dog ancestry, and it is from wolves that Eastern coyotes have inherited several wolf-like characteristics and adaptations. They have larger size and more powerful jaws than their Western counterparts, which makes preying upon deer much easier.

The so-called red wolf has only slightly more wolf ancestry than many Eastern coyotes, so it makes very little sense to go on and on about it.

But even if these studies have cast real doubt on the validity of the red wolf and Eastern wolf as valid species, they have revealed something else.

In North America, wolves and coyotes don’t merely exist as two potentially interbreeding yet clearly distinct species.

They actually exist within what is called a species complex.

In a species complex, it is somewhat difficult to determine where one species begins and another ends. The two species are exchanging genes, if not regularly then regularly enough to cause a great deal of blurring between the two. This hybridization also winds up affecting the evolution of both species.

The  so-called red wolf, the so-called Eastern wolf, and the Eastern coyote subspecies are examples of  how the gene flow between these two species wind up blurring the edges.

The species complex should called the Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex.

Thus far, it is the only one that has been discovered within large terrestrial carnivores, but one likely existed between polar and brown/grizzly bears. One may exist between bobcats and Canada lynx, and one existed between modern humans and Neanderthals– and perhaps the Denisovan hominins, if they actually existed.

Golden jackals might have something similar going on in the Old World. Golden jackals are widespread animals, and they can hybridize with the Canis lupus species. Wild jackal-dog hybrids have been spotted– almost always the result of a male dog mating with a female jackal. Because they are raised by the wild parent, the pups will imprint upon the golden jackal, and if they survive to reproduce, they will likely contribute to the golden jackal population. In this way, dogs could have contributed genes to the golden jackal in the same way that dogs and wolves have contributed genes to coyotes.

I know of no examples of wild wolves interbreeding with golden jackals. However, there was canid that was thought of as a subspecies of golden jackal living in East and North Africa, but analysis of its mtDNA revealed it was actually a wolf. Nuclear DNA studies need to be performed to see exactly what it is, but in its mtDNA, it was found to be similar to the Indian and Himalayan wolf subspecies, which both possess the most ancient of modern wolf lineages. This “African wolf” (Canis lupus lupaster) is often quite small, so it could interbreed with golden jackals. In fact, I had initially thought the Egyptian population of these wolves, which had initially been believed to be the only wolf in Africa, was the result of hybridization with a relict North African population of Arabian wolves and the golden jackal. In dog and golden jackal hybrids, the father is usually the dog. In a wolf/golden jackal hybrid, the parentage is probably similar.  If the African wolf were a hybrid in the same way the red wolf is, the mtDNA– which is inherited maternally– would be unequivocally be that of the golden jackal, not some form of wolf.

The golden jackal has not been examined in the same way that the coyote, wolf, and dog have been. The African wolf subspecies has also not been examined in this depth.

It is possible if these animals were included in these studies that it might reveal a Canis lupus/Canis latrans/Canis aureus species complex.

Even though species complexes exist, the species in them are still distinct.

They are just less distinct than the differences between a wolf and an Ethiopian wolf and even less distinct than the differences between a wolf and a red fox.

The edges between wolves and coyotes are blurred through their interfertility.

Amazing, eh?

See related posts:

  • The creature formerly known as the red wolf
  • No unique “Eastern wolf” species

 

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Posted in Carnivorans, wild dogs, wildlife | Tagged Algonquin park wolf, coyote, Eastern wolf, Ethiopian wolf, golden jackal, red wolf, Wolf | 15 Comments

15 Responses

  1. on January 6, 2012 at 1:21 pm massugu

    The coyote ancestry of the pictured individual seems apparent to me in the shape/outline of its muzzle.

    Also, while Red and Eastern wolves may not exist as distinct species, I would argue that if we humans continue our efforts to maintain a discrete population of “Red Wolves” in NC, genetic drift might actually make that species designation a self-fulfilling prophecy. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants?


    • on January 6, 2012 at 1:28 pm retrieverman

      That’s exactly what will happen, but at some point, they won’t be able to keep the coyotes out of red wolf range. And then the coyotes will swamp the gene pool. They are doing all they can to keep coyotes out. They trap them and any red wolf that gets spotted running with coyotes. Coyotes likely would be a choice outcross from the red wolf’s standpoint. Most wild dogs have some behavioral mechanisms against inbreeding, and red wolves as they exist aren’t incredibly genetically diverse.

      The most interesting thing I’ve seen in the genome-wide studies is that the Mexican wolf is really quite unique in terms of its genetic make-up, but its future is much more tenuous. Reintroduction has not been largely successful, and that’s ranch country in New Mexico and Arizona. They don’t want them at all.

      You can turn red wolves loose into a swamp that just happens to be near a bunch of beaches. They don’t run sheep and cattle on red wolf range, and the tourists come by to listen to the wolves howling.

      It’s politically more expedient to conserve the red wolf, even if it’s bogus.

      It’s not so expedient with the Mexican wolf.


      • on January 6, 2012 at 1:30 pm retrieverman

        In the same way, Algonquin Park is close enough to the urban centers of Southern Ontario, which is also good for tourists.

        If they found a unique wolf living near the tar sands operations, I don’t think they’d be so keen on saving it.


  2. on January 6, 2012 at 2:21 pm massugu

    BTW: Love the graphic! I’m downloading a copy.


  3. on January 6, 2012 at 2:28 pm Peggy Richter

    regarding the Mexican wolf, one wonders how large it’s range originally was. There are some areas where a population might be possible, but they aren’t in the current range. I think I mentioned on your “last wolf” posting that it would be interesting to find out if the (now extinct) Californian wolves were closer to the Mexican or to the standard flavor C.Lupus of the north. My guess is that those on the E. Sierra plains/desert areas were more closely related to the Mexican wolves. I don’t know if there are enough fossils or non fossil remains to even check, but the geography and ecology of the areas would indicate that as the logical divide.
    Peggy Richter


  4. on February 22, 2012 at 4:24 pm Coyote Sighting | Mission Possible

    […] The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex (retrieverman.wordpress.com) Share the Mission Possible Files:PrintEmailTwitterFacebookDiggLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This entry was posted in Country Living, Everyday Life of a Homeschool Family, Just for Fun!, Uncategorized and tagged American Coot, Coyote, Florida, Fossil, God, Nature, Phoenix Coyotes, South America, West Virginia. Bookmark the permalink. […]


  5. on April 18, 2012 at 8:57 am DNA test for a large canid killed in New Brunswick « The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

    […] The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex […]


  6. on April 29, 2012 at 2:09 pm The junk science behind the red wolf « The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

    […] The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex Share this:TwitterFacebookRedditPrintDiggStumbleUponLinkedInEmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. […]


  7. on May 7, 2012 at 5:16 pm Some more red wolf nonsense « The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

    […] The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex Share this:TwitterFacebookRedditPrintDiggStumbleUponLinkedInEmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. […]


  8. on May 8, 2012 at 7:09 pm America’s “park coyote” « The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

    […] The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex […]


  9. on June 11, 2012 at 5:09 pm The really interesting thing about this “chupacabra” « The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

    […] This animal is yet another example of the wondrous species complex that exists between Canis lupus and Canis latrans. […]


  10. on July 21, 2012 at 12:43 pm jugnunagar

    regarding the Mexican wolf, one wonders how large it’s range originally was. There are some areas where a population might be possible, but they aren’t in the current range. I think I mentioned on your “last wolf” posting that it would be interesting to find out if the (now extinct) Californian wolves were closer to the Mexican or to the standard flavor C.Lupus of the north. My guess is that those on the E. Sierra plains/desert areas were more closely related to the Mexican wolves. I don’t know if there are enough fossils or non fossil remains to even check, but the geography and ecology of the areas would indicate that as the logical divide.


    • on July 21, 2012 at 12:58 pm retrieverman

      Remains of Mexican wolves have been found as far north as Colorado, so their range was more extensive than initially thought.


  11. on August 14, 2012 at 7:39 pm The discovery of wolves in Senegal and a new species complex in the genus Canis « The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog

    […] The Canis lupus/Canis latrans species complex Share this:TwitterFacebookRedditPrintDiggStumbleUponLinkedInEmailLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. […]


  12. on September 16, 2013 at 8:42 pm Joe Graham

    Fascinating article! Thank you so much for sharing.



Comments are closed.

  • Like on Facebook

    The Retriever, Dog, and Wildlife Blog

    Promote Your Page Too
  • Blog Stats

    • 9,536,166 hits
  • Retrieverman’s Twitter

    • one person followed me // automatically checked by fllwrs.com 16 hours ago
    • retrievermanii.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-di… 1 day ago
    • @SergioJStalin That's like saying the Nazis had a headquarter in Moscow in 1931. LOL 3 days ago
    • one person unfollowed me // automatically checked by fllwrs.com 6 days ago
    • RT @AdamZHerman: I am no longer impressed that Nicholas Cage managed to steal the Declaration of Independence. 1 week ago
  • Google rank

    Check Google Page Rank
  • Archives

    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
    • May 2010
    • April 2010
    • March 2010
    • February 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • September 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
  • Recent Comments

    markgelbart on Retiring this Space
    oneforestfragment on Retiring this Space
    The Evolving Natural… on So does the maned wolf break t…
    SWestfall3 on So does the maned wolf break t…
    Ole Possum on So does the maned wolf break t…
  • Meta

    • Register
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.com
  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 1,697 other followers

  • Pages

    • About
    • Contact
    • Patreon
    • Premium Membership
    • Services
  • Subscribe to Retrieverman's Weblog by Email
  • Revolver map

    Map

  • Top Posts

    • Were Romulus and Remus really nursed by a she-wolf?
  • SiteCounter

    wordpress analytics
    View My Stats
  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 1,697 other followers

  • Donate to this blog

  • Top 50 Northwest Dog Blogs

    top 50 dog blogs

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: