Data from: Panmixia and limited interspecific introgression in coyotes (Canis latrans) from West Virginia and Virginia, USA

The expansion of coyotes (Canis latrans) into the eastern United States
has had major consequences for ecological communities and wildlife
managers. Despite this, there has been little investigation of the
genetics of coyotes across much of this region, especially outside of the
northeast. Understanding patterns of genetic structure and interspecific
introgression would provide insights into the colonization history of the
species, its response to the modern environment, and interactions with
other canids. We examined the genetic characteristics of 121 coyotes from
the mid-Atlantic states of West Virginia and Virginia by genotyping 17
polymorphic nuclear DNA microsatellite loci. These genotypes were compared
to those from other canid populations to evaluate the extent of genetic
introgression. We conducted spatial clustering analyses and spatial
autocorrelation to assess genetic structure among sampled coyotes. Coyotes
across the two states had high genetic diversity, and we found no evidence
of genetic structure. Six to sixteen percent of individuals displayed some
evidence of genetic introgression from other species depending on the
method and criteria used, but the population possessed predominantly
coyote ancestry. Our findings suggested introgression from other canid
populations has played less of a role in shaping the genetic character of
coyotes in these states compared to populations closer to the Canadian
border. Coyotes appear to display a panmictic population structure despite
high habitat heterogeneity and heavy human influence in the spatial
environment, underscoring the adaptability of the species.