Title | A genome-wide perspective on the evolutionary history of enigmatic wolf-like canids. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2011 |
Authors | vonHoldt, BM, Pollinger, JP, Earl, DA, Knowles, JC, Boyko, AR, Parker, H, Geffen, E, Pilot, M, Jedrzejewski, W, Jedrzejewska, B, Sidorovich, V, Greco, C, Randi, E, Musiani, M, Kays, R, Bustamante, CD, Ostrander, EA, Novembre, J, Wayne, RK |
Journal | Genome Res |
Volume | 21 |
Issue | 8 |
Pagination | 1294-305 |
Date Published | 2011 Aug |
ISSN | 1549-5469 |
Keywords | Animals, Biological Evolution, Canidae, Coyotes, Dogs, Evolution, Molecular, Genome, Genotype, Haplotypes, Hybridization, Genetic, Phenotype, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Wolves |
Abstract | <p>High-throughput genotyping technologies developed for model species can potentially increase the resolution of demographic history and ancestry in wild relatives. We use a SNP genotyping microarray developed for the domestic dog to assay variation in over 48K loci in wolf-like species worldwide. Despite the high mobility of these large carnivores, we find distinct hierarchical population units within gray wolves and coyotes that correspond with geographic and ecologic differences among populations. Further, we test controversial theories about the ancestry of the Great Lakes wolf and red wolf using an analysis of haplotype blocks across all 38 canid autosomes. We find that these enigmatic canids are highly admixed varieties derived from gray wolves and coyotes, respectively. This divergent genomic history suggests that they do not have a shared recent ancestry as proposed by previous researchers. Interspecific hybridization, as well as the process of evolutionary divergence, may be responsible for the observed phenotypic distinction of both forms. Such admixture complicates decisions regarding endangered species restoration and protection.</p> |
DOI | 10.1101/gr.116301.110 |
Alternate Journal | Genome Res |
PubMed ID | 21566151 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC3149496 |
Grant List | T32 HG002536 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States / / Intramural NIH HHS / United States |