“…Although our measurement of head dimensions could not detect finer structural differences (e.g., dentition, dome of head, frontal sinus), we believe similarity in head dimensions among regions likely reflects a general similarity in diet among coyote populations in all three regions, as changes in shape (i.e., short vs. long) would indicate adaptation to differing stresses related to feeding ecology (Curtis, Orke, Tetradis, & Valkenburgh, ; Van Valkenburgh, ; Wang & Tedford, ). Regardless of region, studies of coyote diets typically report consistent use of lagomorphs, small mammals and, to a lesser extent, ungulates while exhibiting variable use of fruit (Carrera et al, ; Clark, ; Hernández, Parmenter, Dewitt, Lightfoot, & Laundré., ; Hinton, Ashley et al, ; Lingle & Pellis, ; Patterson, Benjamin, & Messier, ; Todd & Keith, ; Ward et al, ). Therefore, we suggest that a broader inclusion of craniodental and postcranial measurements, and when possible genetic markers, be used to sufficiently investigate to what extent differences exist geographically among coyote populations and what selection pressures may influence variation in coyote morphology (e.g., Murray & Boutin, ; Kays et al, ; Curtis et al, ).…”