Title
Spatial genetic and morphologic structure of wolves and coyotes in relations to environmental heterogeneity in a Canis hybrid zone
Author(s)
Benson JF
Published
2012
Publisher
Molecular Ecology
Abstract
Eastern wolves have hybridized extensively with coyotes and gray wolves and are listed as a 'species of special concern' in Canada. However, a distinct population of eastern wolves has been identified in Algonquin Provincial Park (APP) in Ontario. Previous studies of the diverse Canis hybrid zone adjacent to APP have not linked genetic analysis with field data to investigate genotype-specific morphology or determine how resident animals of different ancestry are distributed across the landscape in relation to heterogeneous environmental conditions. Accordingly, this study examines resident wolves and coyotes in and adjacent to APP to identify distinct Canis types, clarify the extent of the APP eastern wolf population beyond the park boundaries, and investigate fine-scale spatial genetic structure and landscape-genotype associations in the hybrid zone.
Full Citation
Benson JF, Patterson BR, and Wheeldon TJ. 2012. Spatial genetic and morphologic structure of wolves and coyotes in relations to environmental heterogeneity in a Canis hybrid zone. Molecular Ecology 21: 5934-5954.
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