Data from: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation of wolves (Canis lupus) in Southeast Alaska and comparison with wolves, dogs, and coyotes in North America

There is considerable interest in the genetics of wolves (Canis lupus)
because of their close relationship to domestic dogs (C. familiaris) and
the need for informed conservation and management. This includes wolf
populations in Southeast Alaska for which we determined genotypes of 305
wolves at 173662 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. After removal
of invariant and linked SNP, 123801 SNP were used to quantify genetic
differentiation of wolves in Southeast Alaska and wolves, coyotes (C.
latrans), and dogs from other areas in North America. There is
differentiation of SNP allele frequencies between the species (wolves,
coyotes, and dogs), although differentiation is relatively low between
some wolf and coyote populations. There are varying levels of
differentiation among populations of wolves, including low differentiation
of wolves in interior Alaska, British Columbia, and the northern US Rocky
Mountains. There is considerable differentiation of SNP allele frequencies
of wolves in Southeast Alaska from wolves in other areas. However, wolves
in Southeast Alaska are not a genetically homogeneous group and there are
comparable levels of genetic differentiation among areas within Southeast
Alaska and between Southeast Alaska and other geographic areas. SNP
variation and other genetic data are discussed regarding taxonomy and
management.