Megafaunal extinctions and the disappearance of a specialized wolf ecomorph.

摘要: The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is one of the few large predators to survive Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions [1]. Nevertheless, wolves disappeared from northern North America in Pleistocene, suggesting they were affected by factors that eliminated other species. Using skeletal material collected permafrost deposits eastern Beringia, we present a comprehensive analysis an extinct vertebrate exploring genetic (mtDNA), morphologic, and isotopic (delta(13)C, delta(15)N) data reveal evolutionary relationships, as well diet feeding behavior, ancient wolves. Remarkably, are genetically unique morphologically distinct. None 16 mtDNA haplotypes recovered sample 20 eastern-Beringian was shared with any modern wolf, instead appear most closely related Eurasia. Moreover, skull shape, tooth wear, suggest specialized hunters scavengers megafauna. Thus, previously unrecognized, uniquely adapted, distinct ecomorph suffered extinction along Consequently, survival species depended on presence more generalized forms elsewhere.