The origin and taxonomy of the red wolf (Canis rufus) have been the subject of considerable debate and it has been suggested that this taxon was recently formed as a result of hybridization between the coyote and gray wolf. Like the red wolf, the eastern Canadian wolf has been characterized as a small "deer-eating" wolf that hybridizes with coyotes (Canis latrans). While studying the population of eastern Canadian wolves in Algonquin Provincial Park we recognized similarities to the red wolf, based on DNA profiles at 8 microsatellite loci. We examined whether this relationship was due to similar levels of introgressed coyote genetic material by comparing the microsatellite alleles with those of other North American populations of wolves and coyotes. These analyses indicated that it was not coyote genetic material which led to the close genetic affinity between red wolves and eastern Canadian wolves. We then examined the control region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and confirmed the presence of coyote sequences in both. However, we also found sequences in both that diverged by 150 000-300 000 years from sequences found in coyotes. None of the red wolves or eastern Canadian wolf samples from the 1960s contained gray wolf (Canis lupus) mtDNA sequences. The data are not consistent with the hypothesis that the eastern Canadian wolf is a subspecies of gray wolf as it is presently designated. We suggest that both the red wolf and the eastern Canadian wolf evolved in North America sharing a common lineage with the coyote until 150 000-300 000 years ago. We propose that it retain its original species designation, Canis lycaon. 2166 Résumé : Les origines et la taxonomie du Loup roux (Canis rufus) font l'objet d'une controverse importante et une hypothèse a été émise, à savoir qu'il s'agit d'un taxon récent issu de l'hybridation entre le Coyote et le Loup gris. Comme le Loup roux, le Loup de l'est du Canada est décrit comme un petit loup « mangeur de cerfs » qui s'hybride avec le Coyote (Canis latrans). L'étude de la population de Loups de l'est du Canada dans le parc provincial Algonquin nous a permis de reconnaître des similarités avec le Loup roux d'après les profils d'ADN à 8 locus microsatellites. Nous avons tenté de déterminer si cette relation était due à des degrés semblables d'introgression de matériel génétique en comparant les allèles microsatellites avec ceux d'autres populations nord-américaines de loups et de coyotes. Les analyses ont révélé que ce n'est pas du matériel génétique de coyote qui a mené à la grande affinité génétique entre le Loup roux et le Loup de l'est du Canada. Nous avons ensuite examiné la région de contrôle de l'ADN mitochondrial (ADNmt) et confirmé la présence de séquences du Coyote chez les deux loups. Cependant, nous avons également

The origin and taxonomy of the red wolf (Canis rufus)

ABSTRACT/Methods for evaluating natural areas have evolved in the last couple of decades to assess the importance of natural areas for the purposes of land-use planning, environmental impact assessment, and planning protected areas. Criteria used for evaluation vary and generally fall into three categories: ecological, or abiotic and biotic; cultural; and planning and management. Abiotic and biotic criteria are reviewed here in terms of three questions for each criterion: What is it--what are the definitions used in the ecological and environmental management literature? Why use it--what are the reasons behind its use? How has it been used--what is the state-of-the-art in assessing the criterion? Cultural criteria are discussed more generally in terms of the commonly used frameworks and the concept of significance. Planning and management criteria are generally related to either the need for management action or feasibility of effective management.

This study examined the influence of insects (mosquitoes and oestrids) on the distribution, microhabitat choice, and behavior of a population of mountain caribou. The study was conducted in the Burwash area of southwestern Yukon Territory during the summers of 1982 and 1983. Mosquito density, the presence or absence of oestrids, and the distribution, microhabitat use, and insect-avoidance behavior of the caribou were observed. Seasonal activity budgets for caribou were calculated. Mosquitoes became active in mid-June. Activity decreased with altitude, and at the highest altitudes (2000 m) the number of mosquitoes was negligible. Snow patches and exposed windy ridges had fewer mosquitoes than did open tundra. The oestrid season began in late June and lasted until early August. Oestrids were widespread throughout the study area and were present in all microhabitats. Caribou reduced harassment by mosquitoes by their altitudinal movements and use of microhabitat. Oestrids influenced activity budgets of caribou, acting to decrease feeding and resting time and to increase the time spent standing and moving.

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