Population genetic structure of gray wolves (canis lupus) in a marine archipelago suggests island-mainland differentiation consistent with dietary niche

Emerging evidence suggests that ecological heterogeneity across space can influence the genetic structure of populations, including that of long-distance dispersers such as large carnivores. On the central coast of British Columbia, Canada, wolf (Canis lupus L., 1758) dietary niche and parasite prev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC Ecology
Other Authors: Stronen, Astrid V. (Author), Navid, Erin L. (Author), Quinn, Michael S. (Author), Paquet, Paul C. (Author), Bryan, Heather M. (Author), Darimont, Christopher T. (Author)
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: BMC Ecology 2014
Subjects:
Canis lupus
Genetic variation
Wolves
Ecological divergence
Marine resources
Population genetic structure
Traditional ecological knowledge
Canada
British Columbia
Online Access:https://arcabc.ca/islandora/object/mru%3A324
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6785-14-11
Description
Summary:Emerging evidence suggests that ecological heterogeneity across space can influence the genetic structure of populations, including that of long-distance dispersers such as large carnivores. On the central coast of British Columbia, Canada, wolf (Canis lupus L., 1758) dietary niche and parasite prevalence data indicate strong ecological divergence between marine-oriented wolves inhabiting islands and individuals on the coastal mainland that interact primarily with terrestrial prey. Local holders of traditional ecological knowledge, who distinguish between mainland and island wolf forms, also informed our hypothesis that genetic differentiation might occur between wolves from these adjacent environments.

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