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)

No abstract

Den-site selection is a poorly understood aspect of wolf (Canis lupus) ecology, particularly for populations in forested ecosystems. Using a geographic information system and remote-sensing imagery, we examined patterns of habitat use around wolf dens in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. Sixteen den sites were sampled for eight habitat types in their immediately vicinity, as well as at radii of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 m. We used a resource-selection ratio to determine whether specific habitat types were preferred or avoided at different radii relative to the total proportion of habitat types found within the study area. Wolves established dens in areas with significantly high proportions of pine forest up to and including a 1000-m radius and low proportions of tolerant and intolerant hardwoods within 500 m. We conclude that wolves establish den sites based primarily on the presence of pine forest, a habitat that is frequently logged within Park boundaries and subject to problems with regeneration after cutting. Dens sites are likely not limiting in this population, but our results suggest the need to protect current den sites at a relatively large spatial scale. These results also provide unique information to assess the potential for recolonization and reintroduction of wolf populations in other areas.