Grant Application: Research into the effects of hybridization with coyotes on red wolf survival
Matthew Owen, University of South Wales, UK
Introduction and project rationale The red wolf (Canis rufus) is a critically endangered canid species that is endemic to the south-east regions of the United States. In the past, the wolves were widespread in numerous American states, but persecution and loss of habitat restricted them to the states of Louisiana and Texas where they then struggled with high parasite numbers and hybridization with coyotes (Canis latrans) (Brzeski et al., 2014). As red wolves are an endangered species, efforts to re-introduce the animals to the wild are actively taking place. Pedigree inbreeding coefficients …show more content…
This can also lower the survival rates of the small wild red wolf populations. In areas where the wolves have been introduced, aggressive behaviour has been observed between the two species. Understanding the effects of interspecific competition is important for successful reintroduction of the red wolf (Roth et al., 2008). A study on the impacts of coyotes on red wolf survival (Roth et al., 2008) used red wolves fitted with radio collars in North Carolina to calculate survival rates. In the years 1987-2001, the survival rates were 0.678 (pups), 0.793 (yearlings), and 0.806 (adults). Simulations were run in this study to discover the effects of coyote population change on red wolf population. It was found that decreasing coyote survival to 10% reduced their population to 40%, which caused the wolf population to more than double. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of hybridization with coyotes on the survival rates of red wolves. It is important that this research is conducted because the species is currently under serious threat of extinction through depletion of the gene pool. It is hypothesised that the results will show that hybridization with coyotes has negative effects on red wolf population …show more content…
A multi-faceted molecular approach to red wolf Canis rufus conservation and management. University of Idaho, Moscow.
Adams, J., Kelly, B. & Waits, L., 2003. Using faecal DNA sampling and GIS to monitor hybridization between red wolves Canis rufus and coyotes Canis latrans. Molecular Ecology, 12, pp.2175–2186.
Bohling, J.H. & Waits, L.P., 2015. Factors influencing red wolf–coyote hybridization in eastern North Carolina, USA. Biological Conservation, 184, pp.108–116. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2015.01.013.
Brzeski, K.E. et al., 2014. Inbreeding and inbreeding depression in endangered red wolves (Canis rufus). Molecular Ecology, pp.4241–4255.
Carley, C., 1975. Activities and Findings of the Red Wolf Field Recovery Program from Late 1973 to July 1, 1975. Albuquerque: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report.
Gese, E.M. et al., 2015. Managing hybridization of a recovering endangered species: The red wolf Canis rufus as a case study. Current Zoology, 61(1), pp.191–205.
Kelly, B.T., Miller, P.S. & Seal, U.S., 1999. Population and habitat viability assessment workshop for the red wolf (Canis
Matthew Owen, University of South Wales, UK
Introduction and project rationale The red wolf (Canis rufus) is a critically endangered canid species that is endemic to the south-east regions of the United States. In the past, the wolves were widespread in numerous American states, but persecution and loss of habitat restricted them to the states of Louisiana and Texas where they then struggled with high parasite numbers and hybridization with coyotes (Canis latrans) (Brzeski et al., 2014). As red wolves are an endangered species, efforts to re-introduce the animals to the wild are actively taking place. Pedigree inbreeding coefficients …show more content…
This can also lower the survival rates of the small wild red wolf populations. In areas where the wolves have been introduced, aggressive behaviour has been observed between the two species. Understanding the effects of interspecific competition is important for successful reintroduction of the red wolf (Roth et al., 2008). A study on the impacts of coyotes on red wolf survival (Roth et al., 2008) used red wolves fitted with radio collars in North Carolina to calculate survival rates. In the years 1987-2001, the survival rates were 0.678 (pups), 0.793 (yearlings), and 0.806 (adults). Simulations were run in this study to discover the effects of coyote population change on red wolf population. It was found that decreasing coyote survival to 10% reduced their population to 40%, which caused the wolf population to more than double. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of hybridization with coyotes on the survival rates of red wolves. It is important that this research is conducted because the species is currently under serious threat of extinction through depletion of the gene pool. It is hypothesised that the results will show that hybridization with coyotes has negative effects on red wolf population …show more content…
A multi-faceted molecular approach to red wolf Canis rufus conservation and management. University of Idaho, Moscow.
Adams, J., Kelly, B. & Waits, L., 2003. Using faecal DNA sampling and GIS to monitor hybridization between red wolves Canis rufus and coyotes Canis latrans. Molecular Ecology, 12, pp.2175–2186.
Bohling, J.H. & Waits, L.P., 2015. Factors influencing red wolf–coyote hybridization in eastern North Carolina, USA. Biological Conservation, 184, pp.108–116. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2015.01.013.
Brzeski, K.E. et al., 2014. Inbreeding and inbreeding depression in endangered red wolves (Canis rufus). Molecular Ecology, pp.4241–4255.
Carley, C., 1975. Activities and Findings of the Red Wolf Field Recovery Program from Late 1973 to July 1, 1975. Albuquerque: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report.
Gese, E.M. et al., 2015. Managing hybridization of a recovering endangered species: The red wolf Canis rufus as a case study. Current Zoology, 61(1), pp.191–205.
Kelly, B.T., Miller, P.S. & Seal, U.S., 1999. Population and habitat viability assessment workshop for the red wolf (Canis