Y-chromosome evidence supports widespread signatures of three-species Canis hybridization in eastern North America

摘要: There has been considerable discussion on the origin of red wolf and eastern their evolution independent gray wolf. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) a Y-chromosome intron sequence in combination with microsatellites from wolves coyotes within range extensive wolf–coyote hybridization, that is, North America. The detection divergent haplotypes historic is concordant earlier mtDNA findings, absence these western supports existence American evolved (Canis lycaon). Having observed exclusively America as result insufficient sampling coyote or lineages subsequently went extinct geographies unlikely given eastern-specific represent those extant coyotes. By combining distributional patterns, we identified hybrid genomes wolf, coyote, potentially dog Canis populations central natural contemporary an important example widespread introgression resulting across original C. lycaon appears to be facilitated by acting conduit for hybridization. Applying conventional taxonomic nomenclature species-based conservation initiatives, particularly human-modified landscapes, may counterproductive effective management hybrids fails consider evolutionary potential.