Mitochondrial DNA analysis implying extensive hybridization of the endangered red wolf Canis rufus

Authors: R.K. Wayne, Susan Jenks

From Letters to Nature

“The red wolf, previously endemic to the southeastern United States, declined precipitously in numbers after 1900 because of habitat destruction, predator control programmes, and hybridiz-ation with coyotes. Hybridization with coyotes probably occurred as these animals, which adjust well to agriculture, became numerous and moved eastwards.”