RT Journal
A1 vonHoldt, Bridgett M.
A1 Pollinger, John P.
A1 Earl, Dent A.
A1 Knowles, James C.
A1 Boyko, Adam R.
A1 Parker, Heidi
A1 Geffen, Eli
A1 Pilot, Malgorzata
A1 Jedrzejewski, Wlodzimierz
A1 Jedrzejewska, Bogumila
A1 Sidorovich, Vadim
A1 Greco, Claudia
A1 Randi, Ettore
A1 Musiani, Marco
A1 Kays, Roland
A1 Bustamante, Carlos D.
A1 Ostrander, Elaine A.
A1 Novembre, John
A1 Wayne, Robert K.
T1 A genome-wide perspective on the evolutionary history of enigmatic wolf-like canids
JF Genome Research 
JO Genome Research 
YR 2011 
FD August 01 
VO 21 
IS 8 
SP 1294 
OP 1305 
DO 10.1101/gr.116301.110 
UL http://genome.cshlp.org/content/21/8/1294.abstract 
AB 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.