Recent occurrences of wild-origin wolves (Canis spp.) in Canada south of the St. Lawrence River revealed by stable isotope and genetic analysis

Authors

  • Donald F. McAlpine New Brunswick Museum, 277 Douglas Avenue, Saint John, New Brunswick E2K 1E5
  • David X. Soto Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3
  • Linda Y. Rutledge Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8
  • Tyler J. Wheeldon Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8
  • Bradley N. White Wildlife Forensics DNA Laboratory, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7B8
  • James P. Goltz Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, New Brunswick Agriculture Research Station, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1
  • Joseph Kennedy Fish and Wildlife Branch, Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v129i4.1761

Keywords:

Gray Wolf, Canis lupus, Eastern Wolf, Canis lycaon, Coyote, Canis latrans, conservation, stable isotopes, genetic analysis, new Brunswick, Quebec, St. Lawrence River

Abstract

A free-ranging canid killed near Caraquet, New Brunswick, Canada, in 2012 exhibited a mitochondrial DNA sequence of Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) origin and a Y-chromosome haplotype of Eastern Wolf (C. lycaon) origin. The animal, which is the first wolf recorded in New Brunswick since 1862, was identified as a Gray–Eastern Wolf hybrid (C. lupus x C. lycaon) based on analysis of its autosomal microsatellite genotype. Stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) suggest that the Caraquet wolf was of wild origin. Likewise, δ13C analysis suggests that a wolf–coyote hybrid killed in Quebec south of the St. Lawrence River in 2002 was also of wild origin. However, δ13C values for a wolf from the same region in 2006 suggest that this animal spent most of its life feeding predominantly on non-wild-source food items. Recent occurrences of wild-origin animals south of the St. Lawrence River demonstrate that wolves are capable of dispersal to formerly occupied areas in southeastern Canada and the United States. However, limited natural dispersal alone will likely not be sufficient to re-establish wolves in northeastern North America.

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Published

2016-01-30

Issue

Vol. 129 No. 4 (2015)

Section

Articles

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