Wolf-dog hybridization in Croatia

摘要: Wolf-dog hybridization is considered as one of the main threats for wolf conservation since admixture and introgression domestic genes may disrupt local adaptations threaten long term survival wild populations. We investigated occurrence wolf-dog in Croatia by analyzing a panel 12 autosomal microsatellite markers using Bayesian tests, assessed its directionality use maternally paternally inherited combination with morphometric data morphological features. A systematic analysis morphologic features was used to rank studied individuals into either phenotypic wild-type wolves or suspected hybrids. By combining assignment results features, we set three thresholds which differentiated from hybrids maximized hybrid detection minimized chance false positive identification. On basis phenotype, out 176 canids, 157 (89.2%) were categorized 19 (10.8%) tests phenotype together, five (2.8 percent) animals classified hybrids, four them backcrosses wolves, backcross dog. Mitochondrial DNA suggested that all originated mating female male dogs. Two had Y chromosome haplotypes common both dogs, while other two private haplotypes. One dog Y- haplotype, indicating past genes. All found Dalmatia, where settled recently, they live close humans, high rate human-caused mortality. These conditions are favorable wolf- hybridization. However, low prevalence Croatia, nonetheless expected persist favoring met. The ecological, sociological, management implications yet be determined.