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Sep 23, 2009 06:52 PM | 31
Bigger than coyotes but smaller than wolves, their howl is high-pitched and their diet includes deer and small rodents. They are "coywolves" (pronounced "coy," as in playful, "wolves"), and they are flourishing in the northeastern U.S., according to a study published today in Biology Letters.
Although coyote–wolf breeding has been reported in Ontario, where coyotes started migrating from the Great Plains in the 1920s, this study provides the first evidence of coywolves—also known as coydogs or eastern coyotes—in the Northeast. And even though they are more coyote (Canis latrans) than wolf (gray wolves are Canis lupus, and red wolves are Canis rufus), the expansion of these hybrids into western New York State marks the return of wolves to the Empire State.
"It's kind of interesting that we drove this species from the area and it sort of came back in another form," says Roland Kays, curator of mammals at the New York State Museum in Albany and first author on the study.
To get a sense of the pedigree of coyotes in the area, Kays and his colleagues examined the genetic material from samples—mostly tissue, hides and skulls—that museums had archived. The source of these samples was itself a sign of the coywolves' success. As Kays points out, specimens came from hunters who killed the dogs in an effort to stem the growing population. Based on the genetic analyses, the team concluded that mating between female coyotes and male wolves was abundant. The researchers also noted that the coywolves have larger, stronger jaws and bigger skulls overall than the so-called straight western coyotes.
Although hybrids are typically less fit than straight species, the story of coywolves in the Northeast might be one of success. Their strong jaws will enable them to eat the deer that are abundant in the area, while the coyote-like ability to coexist with humans could be an advantage that wolves lack. "Wolves have not made a comeback on their own in the area because they can't deal with human development," Kays says. "In this case, the hybrid has become more adapted."
Another advantage of coyotes and wolves mating is that, unlike many interspecies relationships, their offspring are fertile. Kays points out that it is common for members of the genus, Canis, including coyotes, wolves, and dogs, to "hybridize quite readily." Take that, liger.
Images of coywolves courtesy of Roland Kays at the New York State Museum
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31 Comments
Add CommentWas in Morris County NJ and saw one of these in Gillette. I couldn't quite figure what I was seeing - it just didn't register.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf they are both, which set of hunting regulations do I use when I want to bag one?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"AHHH, IT IS COMING RIGHT AT ME!" (bang) "lucky I had my hunting rifle conveniently on hand"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSome of these comments reveal the lack of respect for wildlife that still plagues the United States. Federal and state agencies spend millions of our tax dollars annually to try to eradicate all coyotes, at the behest of livestock producers. The agencies profess to be "managing" predators, but the misguided programs result in MORE coyotes reproducing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe methods used to kill song dogs and their puppies... trapping, poisoning and aerial shooting... are inhumane and cruel.
As the article states, coyotes (and coywolves) fill an important niche in our ecosystem, and we should value them, rather than labeling these remarkable creatures as "a nuisance species."
Some of these comments reveal the lack of respect for wildlife that still plagues the United States. Federal and state agencies spend millions of our tax dollars annually to try to eradicate all coyotes, at the behest of livestock producers. The agencies profess to be "managing" predators, but the misguided programs result in MORE coyotes reproducing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe methods used to kill song dogs and their puppies... trapping, poisoning and aerial shooting... are inhumane and cruel.
As the article states, coyotes (and coywolves) fill an important niche in our ecosystem, and we should value them, rather than labeling these remarkable creatures as "a nuisance species."
We could use some of those coywolves where I live. The deer population is out of control. They eat everyone of my hostas and flowering shrubs.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCanines seem to have very flexible genetic expression, with lots of genes turning on or off in a generation or two. But the genetic differences can't be that great between wolves, coyotes and dogs or they would not yield fertile offspring. Are these really different species? If they are different species, do we need to change the way we define species?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am not a biologist, but based on my observations through reading various articles on the topic, it seems to me that classification of species is not as cut and dry as it was made out to be in highschool biology, with the canine species being a good example of that. Canines seem to adapt very readily and quickly such that visual, behavioural and geographic differences between the various canines can be so great that they have been classified as seperate species. However, if you apply the highschool rule of thumb that two organisms are the same species if and only if they can produce fertile offspring, then coyotes, wolves, and domestic dogs are in fact all the same species.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisTo take it a step further, it seems to me that dogs are very similar to humans in this regard. Humans too have very stark visual, behavioural, and geographic variations between the races (nobody these days would dare say they are different species).
To take it another (BIG) step further; if evolution truly works they way we think it does (such that at some distant future another species will evolve similar capabilities as humans (intelligence and reason, coordination, speech)), my prediction is that the species most likely to do that would be dogs. I base this on their apparently very flexible adaptibility, their apparent capacity for emotion, their apparent capacity for group communication and organization, their apparent ability to learn, and to me most importantly, the (very) occasional example of a dog apparently going against its instincts and risking its life to save its owner. The last point I see as most important because it suggests the ability for actions to be proactive rather than reactive. This is of course extreme conjecture, and its 99.999....99% probable that in a million years it will turn out I was way off.
Stevie Mac, your posting shows at least one fundamental misconception about evolution -- one that is quite widespread, actually. It is the idea that evolution is a process that is inevitably drawn to form species with humanlike traits -- especially traits we associate with higher intelligence.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy students often wonder, if humans went extinct, would some apes then evolve again into humans -- like Planet of the Apes? As with other modern organisms, our species' unique traits were produced by mutations in our ancestors. Those mutations that best helped individuals survive and reproduce successfully within their particular environment were passed on with greater frequency. Like every other species, our current form has been shaped by mutations and the forces of natural selection acting upon the population over time. The point is, things didn't HAVE to turn out the way they did.
In one sense you are right, though. It's true that dogs, apes, dolphins and a handful of other species have several of the traits we associate with "intelligence". If the way were cleared for another species to evolve into the niche that we currently fill, they would be among the likely candidates.
On the other hand, if one had the ability to wind time back to the point of the chimp/human divergence, it's not likely the human species would exist in the form it does today. It's unrealistic to expect the same coincidence of genetic, environmental, and purely random events that led to our species' current form. When one considers the evidence that our ancestors' population dwindled to very small numbers at more than one point in our history, it seems a wonder that Homo sapiens is here at all.
Heard a claim during a recent trip to Newfoundland that there are packs of these animals there, hunting moose. A little more far fetched was the additional claim that they were bred and introduced to the island by the paper companies, who want to stop the moose (undergoing a major population explosion) from destroying all the pulp trees. A new form of pest control?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMost of the comments above reveal that some thought was involved before making a comment. The response of the people who want to shoot them is the response of a scared individual who believes that killing something that makes them uneasy is the answer. Several issues are at hand here- what are
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthey scared of, the deer population in this state is out of control. Not as many people hunt(statistically/percent of population) as did in previous years. How many coyote attacks on humans have there been in the past ten years in the northeast? Probably less than one per year. How many fatalities have there been in the last ten years in car vs. deer accidents, I would venture to guess if we looked at injuries as well there would be
quite a large number. If the deer population is what the deer hunters are
concerned about the statistics with wolves don't reflect that their presence
makes much difference in the population as they cull the herds.
If the people who want to shoot coywolves are farmers who raise livestock there are good statistics re. livestock loss reduction using livestock guardian dogs, dogs which can and do kill wolves and coyotes.
The use of livestock guardian dogs would also allow the farmer to get a good nights sleep, secure in the knowledge that their animals are well
protected.
Just because an animal has adapted to living amongst humans, if it is a predatory species does not mean that they pose a significant risk to humans or people with fluffy little dogs or cats. Wolves and coyotes
generally try to avoid human contact, hence the low incidence of attacks
on humans. There is good historical data to back this up. Maybe, just maybe living with predators will make us smarter. Instead of leaving our
children unsupervised in areas where predators live maybe we should
watch them closely. Don't get me wrong, if there is a predatory animal that is clearly posing a safety threat to a human I don't have a hard time at all with shooting the predator. I do have a hard time with shooting a predator
just because it kills other animals for food. Maybe if we had more coywolves or other predators we wouldn't have the problems with the deer
population that we do now. It is unlikely that more people will start hunting
especially with restrictions on weapons, etc. Maybe we just need to use our superior intellect more regularly.
Some of the comments above are great, it is obvious that they were well thought out. I have questions for those who want to shoot the coywolf or even coyotes. Is the desire to kill predatory animals motivated by fear? It sounds like that. Or is it since we have guns we should be able to eradicate
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisa species because it doesn't fit in with our lifestyles? It is clear that with our
deer population being "out of control" that hunting isn't quite doing it. Maybe the hunters should be welcoming the predators as we all know that they prey primarily on the young, weak, and sick and actually make for
healthier herds and maybe ,for the trophy hunter, better trophy deer.
I think one way to look at this , aside from the fact that human and dogs
have always had a close relationship, with dog evolution into multiple breeds having been accomplished by selective breeding controlled by man. Ask yourself, even since the wolf re-introduction program at Yellowstone about 15 years ago, how many humans have been attacked and wounded or killed by wolves or coyotes? Probably much less than one per year, nationwide. Then ask yourself how many people have been
injured or killed as the result of car vs. deer? Probably more like at least ten per year, per state. Since wolves and coyotes try to avoid human contact, as do deer, how likely is it that a human will be injured by wolf,
coyote, or hybrid? Not very. So if the people who want to shoot and kill these predators want to do so out of fear, relax, they don't want to have anything to do with people like you or me. If you want to shoot them because of their impact on the deer population, relax, there isn't much. As wolves and coyotes prey on the young and weak, or old and diseased, they are actually creating a healthier deer population. Maybe you will even
get a better trophy, but please respect the animal enough to eat it. Since fewer people are hunting now than ever, a trend likely to continue, maybe
the deer hunter should welcome the presence of the coywolf.
If you want to shoot the coywolf or deer because they are encroaching
on our lifestyles I would think twice. What if people started doing this to each other? If you want to shoot a predatory animal because your life or someone else's is at risk, do it there is honor in that. If you think they are a threat to your children, watch your children and teach them. These animals are probably smarter than their predecessors which we drove to the brink of extinction. If you raise livestock and fear herd loss, get a livestock guardian dog.
Personally, I think Bonobos chimps are the most likely candidate to replace us as masters of this planet when we vacate it and head for the stars. Canines are intelligent, but they're not much in the toolmaking department, which was the impetus for our huge brains. As a male, I'm also fascinated by the manner in which they settle disputes; they trade females; though I'm not sure how much those females are allowed to object to what might be akin to prostitution.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJoepoppa,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisRead a little more about wolf pack social structure. It is pretty complicated.
As a man and wolf lover its hard to admit it but they may actually have a
matriarchal structure as the alpha female chooses who she'll mate with.
Both alpha male and female will drive off subordinates of same sex.
Dogman
I have seen a coywolf on the central coast in california, it did not run as the coyotes on my families land would. it was broad daylight and it just kept walking by on a terrace located aproxamately 4o feet lower from where I stood on the hills terraces. It was extremely calm, thin, tall and had the well formed long nose of a wolf. It also had a tortise like coloration of a coyote but appeared to have shorter hair. Just thought Id mention it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe fact that these "coywolves" can interbreed is pretty interesting because, as was said in the article, this is rare among species that take part interbreeding. Also, while it is a good thing that these coywolves are taking the wolf's place Western New York, the fact that this is what it had to take is a negative. Ultimately, humans caused the wolf to move from Western New York, and in this case, we just got lucky that they were able to interbreed with coyotes and go through, in a sense, the process of speciation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Mahatma Gandhi
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI was fishing in MD and saw one of these. I had no idea what it was. At first I was thinking a dog then by its mannerisms I knew it wasn't. It seemed to big to be a coyote. Weird.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis article seems to contradict what we learned in class. How can two different species mate, produce an offspring that is fertile? Are they saying that the coyote and the wolf are part of the same specie?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis article seems to contradict what we learned in class. How can two different species mate, produce an offspring that is fertile? Are they saying that the coyote and the wolf are part of the same specie?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis article seems to contradict what we learned in class. How can two different species mate, produce an offspring that is fertile? Are they saying that the coyote and the wolf are part of the same specie?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am confused from this article. As I recall from class, two species can in fact mate, but their offspring become infertile. How is it possible that the coyote and the wolf were able to produce a fertile offspring?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis article seems to contradict what we learned in class. How can two different species mate, produce an offspring that is fertile? Are they saying that the coyote and the wolf are part of the same specie?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDomestic dogs, gray wolves, dingoes, coyotes and a few others I could list all have the same chromosome count and can therefore produce fertile offspring but just because they have the same number of chromosomes doesn't make them the same species. The definition of species has a few more stipulations than that.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is the main reason why they are considered separate:
"If the two groups do not interbreed because of something intrinsic to their genetic make-up (either they don't find the other species attractive or have different mating seasons) then they are different species."
Four month ago at one conference I heard that original coyotes was used as you said - "for protection"). But instead bushes they scared warriors. Their population were huge. Also I used that information for my future <a href="http://www.bestessays.com/">research papers</a> in my university.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishmm
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have a neighbor who killed one of these "coy-wolves". It looked a heck of a lot like a red wolf.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat the article means by "More amenable to Humans" is that wolves are shot on sight, and trapped with regularity by every farmer and occasional hunter wherever they land in territory hemmed in by human habitation.
These mixes seem to be a trifle less territorial, and may kill less cattle. Also, Coyotes have the annoying habit of producing more pups the more they are hunted, a fact that the residents are well aware of.
I am surprised that nobody has asked the most important question of all: How do they taste?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSeriously folks, coyotes are have better meat, but are thin. Wolves have 50% more meat, but are stringy and need a lot of salt to be palatable. If we can get coyote flavor in wolf quantity, then this could soon replace spotted owl for my Thanksgiving meal!
o Every dark night is followed by a bright sunny day. So, patience and
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisattention is required and things will be fruitful in near future.
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As someone from a farm in New York I have to say coyotes and the like are a over populated and a danger. It is good to manage their numbers not by killing them all off but some yes. We have had incidents where they were out at 3-5 in the afternoon while young children were in their yard playing next door and were amazed by the big "doggy". There is a point where safety becomes a problem and the problem should be handled.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThat being said if you wiped out both coyotes and these hybrids there would be an overrun of deer and other animals again. Finding the balance is key with this issue.
This is the first time I've heard about these. Where I'm from Coyotes are a big problem. Wouldn't it be nice if we could call em all in with a <a href="http://www.peachstateaudio.com/ProductDetail/M-200I_Roland-M200i-Vmixer-32channel-Compact-Digital-Mixer">roland m-200i digital mixer</a> and figure what to do with em? It sure would make regulating them much easier.
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