Data from: No evidence against an ancient hybrid origin of the eastern wolf: a comment on Rutledge et al.

A recent study of North American canids by Rutledge et al. (Biol. Lett. 11, 20150303) refutes the hypothesized hybrid origin of the eastern wolf based on genomic evidence against very recent hybridization. However, the analyses do not rule out the possibility of more ancient hybridization. Claims to have resolved the evolutionary origin of the eastern wolf are therefore inappropriate. Importantly, though, we plead that uncertainty about the ancient history of the taxon should not affect current conservation policy.