RAD sequencing and genomic simulations resolve hybrid origins within North American Canis

Top predators are disappearing worldwide, significantly changing ecosystems that depend on top-down regulation. Conflict with humans remains the primary roadblock for large carnivore conservation, but for the eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), disagreement over its evolutionary origins presents a significant barrier to conservation in Canada and has impeded protection for grey wolves (Canis lupus) in the USA. Here, we use 127 235 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified from restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) of wolves and coyotes, in combination with genomic simulations, to test hypotheses of hybrid origins of Canis types in eastern North America. A principal components analysis revealed no evidence to support eastern wolves, or any other Canis type, as the product of grey wolf × western coyote hybridization. In contrast, simulations that included eastern wolves as a distinct taxon clarified the hybrid origins of Great Lakes-boreal wolves and eastern coyotes. Our r...全球范围内顶级捕食者正持续消失，显著改变了依赖自上而下调控的生态系统。人类与大型食肉动物的冲突仍是大型食肉动物保护的主要阻碍，但对于东部狼（Canis lycaon）而言，学界对其演化起源的争议成为加拿大境内其保护工作的重大障碍，同时也阻碍了美国境内灰狼（Canis lupus）的保护进程。本研究利用从狼与郊狼的限制性酶切位点相关DNA测序（RAD-seq）中鉴定得到的127235个单核苷酸多态性（SNPs），结合基因组模拟实验，对北美东部地区犬属类群的杂交起源假说进行验证。主成分分析结果显示，并无证据支持东部狼或其他任何犬属类群是灰狼与西部郊狼杂交的产物。与之相反，将东部狼作为独立类群纳入的模拟实验，则明确了五大湖-北方森林狼与东部郊狼的杂交起源。本研究的相关内容因原文截断未完整展示。