Sympatric wolf and coyote populations of the western Great Lakes region are reproductively isolated

摘要: Interpretation of the genetic composition and taxonomic history wolves in western Great Lakes region (WGLR) United States has long been debated become more important to their conservation given recent changes status under Endangered Species Act. Currently, two competing hypotheses on WGLR are that they resulted from hybridization between (i) grey (Canis lupus) coyotes (C. latrans) or (ii) eastern lycaon). We performed a analysis sympatric assess degree reproductive isolation them clarify wolves. Based data maternal, paternal bi-parental markers, we demonstrate clear distinction conclude reproductively isolated wolf–coyote is uncommon. The reject hypothesis derive coyotes, extant wolf population derived Grey-eastern hybrids lupus · lycaon) comprise substantial extends across Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota Ontario. These findings have implications for management North America, specifically concerning overestimation numbers need address policies hybrids.