Geographic patterns in morphometric and genetic variation for coyote populations with emphasis on southeastern coyotes

Abstract

Prior to 1900, coyotes (Canis latrans) were restricted to the western and central regions of North America, but by the early 2000s, coyotes became ubiquitous throughout the eastern United States. Information regarding morphological and genetic structure of coyote populations in the southeastern United States is limited, and where data exist, they are rarely compared to those from other regions of North America. We assessed geographic patterns in morphology and genetics of coyotes with special consideration of coyotes in the southeastern United States. Mean body mass of coyote populations increased along a west‐to‐east gradient, with southeastern coyotes being intermediate to western and northeastern coyotes. Similarly, principal component analysis of body mass and linear body measurements suggested that southeastern coyotes were intermediate to western and northeastern coyotes in body size but exhibited shorter tails and ears from other populations. Genetic analyses indicated that southeastern coyotes represented a distinct genetic cluster that differentiated strongly from western and northeastern coyotes. We postulate that southeastern coyotes experienced lower immigration from western populations than did northeastern coyotes, and over time, genetically diverged from both western and northeastern populations. Coyotes colonizing eastern North America experienced different selective pressures than did stable populations in the core range, and we offer that the larger body size of eastern coyotes reflects an adaptation that improved dispersal capabilities of individuals in the expanding range.

Fine‐scale movements and behaviors of coyotes (Canis latrans) during their reproductive period

“…We found that resident coyotes had home range and core area sizes comparable to those reported in contemporary studies (Hickman et al., 2016; Mastro et al., 2019; Ward et al., 2018) and noted a similar trend in regard to daily movements (Grubbs & Krausman, 2009). It was not surprising that we observed comparable movements and space use with previous studies in the southeastern United States, given the relative consistency of body sizes exhibited by coyotes throughout much of the region (Hinton et al., 2019). Conversely, our findings relative to landscape characteristics associated with various behavioral states offer unique information about coyote movement ecology.…”

“…We found that resident coyotes had home range and core (Hickman et al, 2016;Mastro et al, 2019;Ward et al, 2018) and noted a similar trend in regard to daily movements (Grubbs & Krausman, 2009). It was not surprising that we observed comparable movements and space use with previous studies in the southeastern United States, given the relative consistency of body sizes exhibited by coyotes throughout much of the region (Hinton et al, 2019).…”

“…Coyotes were historically present in the central and western regions of North America (Nowak, 2002), where they were adapted to foraging on relatively small prey species in open, early successional plant communities (Bekoff & Gese, 2003; Mills & Knowlton, 1991). However, coyotes throughout the southeastern United States have larger body sizes coupled with shorter ears and tails, likely adaptations to facilitate effective foraging in areas with denser vegetation and larger prey, suggesting that the need to exhibit plasticity in habitat and prey selection has facilitated morphological and behavioral adaptations in southeastern coyotes (Hinton et al., 2019).…”

“…Since the extirpation of red wolves ( Canis rufus ), eastern coyotes ( Canis latrans ) have expanded their range to become the predominant canid predator in the southeastern United States (Hinton et al., 2019; Kilgo et al., 2010). Coyote populations are comprised of resident breeders and their nondispersing offspring that maintain territories and transients (i.e., dispersing and displaced individuals) that exhibit nomadic movements with little fidelity to an area (Gehrt et al., 2009; Gese et al., 1988; Hinton et al., 2015).…”

Reviving ghost alleles: Genetically admixed coyotes along the American Gulf Coast are critical for saving the endangered red wolf

“…Albeit a small sample size, our findings indicate that the contribution of large-bodied coyotes to the SWLA population is acquired through the inheritance of autosomal red wolf ancestry. Phenotypic characters such as body size and pelage color are helpful to identify hybrids and introgressed coyotes (32,36). For example, previous research has reported that only red wolf pups that had not achieved adult-like body sizes, rather than juvenile and adult red wolves, were confused for hybrids (32).…”