Eastern wolves evolved separately from grey wolves

Newswise —

A recent publication in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, published by Oxford University Press, presents compelling findings on the evolutionary history of North American wolves. This research sheds light on a long-debated topic among conservationists and taxonomists, offering fresh insights into the fascinating evolutionary journey of these iconic predators.

Scientists have been perplexed by the origins and genetic connections of wolf and coyote populations in southeastern Canada. Of particular interest is the eastern wolf, which has been a topic of heated debate among researchers. It remains unclear whether these canids are a distinct species or if they have arisen from recent hybridization between coyotes and grey wolves. The Canidae family, which includes coyotes, foxes, jackals, wolves, and domestic dogs, is at the center of this scientific inquiry.

The eastern wolf, also known as the eastern timber wolf or the Algonquin wolf, has been recognized by some experts as a distinct species in Canada based on genetic and behavioral research. Despite this recognition, the current conservation status of eastern wolves in Canada varies. They are listed as "Special Concern" under the federal Species at Risk Act and as "Threatened" under the provincial Endangered Species Act in Ontario. However, the provincial government manages eastern wolves, coyotes, and grey wolves as a single species across their primary range in central Ontario, due to the difficulty in visually distinguishing between them and their hybrids. This approach is seen as necessary but has led to frustrations among hunters, trappers, and farmers, as it poses challenges in enforcing hunting and trapping regulations.

To further investigate the conflicting findings regarding eastern wolves, researchers conducted whole genome sequencing of 25 animals with known origins and levels of contemporary hybridization, representing various wolf-like canid types in Canada. The analysis revealed that eastern wolves inhabiting the Great Lakes region in southeastern Canada are genetically distinct from other canids in the area. The research suggests that eastern wolves evolved separately from grey wolves approximately 67,000 years ago. Furthermore, the scientists hypothesize that about 37,000 years ago, eastern wolves interbred with coyotes, and this hybridization continues to occur with both coyotes and grey wolves. These findings shed light on the complex evolutionary history of eastern wolves and provide valuable insights into their genetic makeup and relationships with other canid species.

Christopher Kyle, the lead author of the paper, stated, "This manuscript not only addresses important evolutionary inquiries about North American wolf-like canids, but also provides practical and applicable data." He further highlighted that the research is the result of a robust international collaboration between wolf experts from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, scholars from the University of Ferrara in Italy, and Trent University in Ontario, Canada. This collaboration brought together diverse expertise in wolf ancestry and genetics, culminating in a comprehensive study that sheds light on the evolutionary history of North American wolves.

The paper, “Tracing eastern wolf origins from whole-genome data in context of extensive hybridization,” is available (at midnight on April 13^th ) at: https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/molbev/msad055.