Population genetics of the African wolf (Canis lupaster) across its range: first evidence of hybridization with domestic dogs in Africa

Mallil, Kahina; Justy, Fabienne; Rueness, Eli Knispel; Dufour, Sylvain; Totis, Thibaut; Bloch, Cécile; Baarman, Janette; Amroun, Mansour; Gaubert, Philippe

doi:10.1007/s42991-020-00059-1

Cited by 9 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…Firstly, separate phylogenetic analyses of 20 autosomal DNA sequences and whole nuclear genomes, using both coalescent‐based and/or concatenated‐species‐tree methods, show that Eurasian golden jackals and African wolves are distinct and successive monophyletic groups relative to the clade composed of Holarctic grey wolf + coyote (Chavez et al., 2019; Gopalakrishnan et al., 2018; Koepfli et al., 2015; Viranta et al., 2017). Secondly, network or phylogenetic analyses of data derived from mitochondrial genomes show that golden jackals and African wolves largely comprise separate haplotype clades, consistent with the results obtained from nuclear genomes (Gaubert et al., 2012; Gopalakrishnan et al., 2018; Koepfli et al., 2015a; Mallil et al., 2020; Rueness et al., 2011; Viranta et al., 2017). Thirdly, golden jackals and African wolves show the highest divergence in sliding‐window‐based pairwise comparisons of nuclear genome data among golden jackals, African wolves and grey wolves (Koepfli et al., 2015a).…”

Section: Golden Jackals and African Wolvessupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Multiple independent studies on skull morphometry suggest that two sympatric taxa may occur in northern and eastern Africa, which some authors have referred to as Canis lupaster and Canis anthus (Bertè, 2017; Saleh & Basuony, 2014a; Stoyanov, 2020). Complicating matters further, potential hybridization with geographically proximate populations of grey wolves, Eurasian golden jackals and domestic dogs should also be considered (Koepfli et al., 2015; Machado & Teta, 2020; Mallil et al., 2020; Pilot et al., 2019, 2021).…”

Section: Golden Jackals and African Wolvesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hybridization among species within the genus Canis is well known, including evidence of hybridization with domestic dogs (e.g. Mallil et al., 2020; Pilot et al., 2019, 2021), although further research, especially on past and current introgression from domestic dogs, is required.…”

Section: Golden Jackals and African Wolvesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards resolving taxonomic uncertainties in wolf, dog and jackal lineages of Africa, Eurasia and Australasia

et al. 2021

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Successful conservation depends on accurate taxonomy. Currently, the taxonomy of canids in Africa, Eurasia and Australasia is unstable as recent molecular and morphological studies have questioned earlier phenetic classifications. We review available information on several taxa of Old World and Australasian Canis with phylogenetic uncertainties (namely, African jackals, Asian wolves and Australasian dogs), in order to assess the validity of suggested scientific names and provide a scientific basis for reaching a taxonomic consensus primarily based on molecular data, but also including morphology, biogeography and behavioural ecology. We identify major knowledge gaps, provide recommendations for future research and discuss conservation implications of an updated taxonomic framework. Recent molecular studies indicate that the former Afro‐Eurasian ‘golden jackal’ represents two distinct lineages, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) from Eurasia and the African wolf (C. lupaster) from Africa. Phylogenetic research also indicates that the side‐striped and black‐backed jackals form a monophyletic group that branched earlier than Canis, Cuon and Lycaon, which should be reassigned to the genus Lupulella as L. adusta and L. mesomelas, respectively. The Himalayan/Tibetan and Indian wolf lineages appear to have diverged earlier and are distinct from all other grey wolves (C. lupus) based on mitochondrial and nuclear genome data. However, until genome‐wide data from multiple individuals across the range clarify relationships with other taxa, we suggest referring to the Himalayan/Tibetan wolf lineage as Canis lupus chanco. We support the currently accepted nomenclature for the Indian wolf Canis lupus pallipes for the wolf populations found on the Indian subcontinent and possibly also in south‐western Asia (exact geographical boundary pending). The information presented here provides a current and consistent taxonomic framework for use by conservationists and other practitioners, but it is also intended to stimulate further research to resolve current uncertainties affecting the taxonomy of Old World canids.

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Section: Golden Jackals and African Wolvessupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Golden Jackals and African Wolvesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards resolving taxonomic uncertainties in wolf, dog and jackal lineages of Africa, Eurasia and Australasia

et al. 2021

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“…Nearly half (48%) of studies included in this systematic review that reported genetic swamping were focused on hybridization between domesticated mammals and their wild relatives, including wolf and domestic dog [ 38 , 81 , 135 ], wild boar and domestic pig [ 20 , 30 , 93 ] and wild cat and domestic cat [ 44 ]. More than a quarter (28%) of the studies reported genetic swamping of a native gene pool as the main result of hybridization between introduced species and native species, e.g., in Cervidae [ 36 , 136 ] and Mustelidae families [ 29 , 137 , 138 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences of Hybridization in Mammals: A Systematic Review

Adavoudi¹,

Pilot²

2021

Genes

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Hybridization, defined as breeding between two distinct taxonomic units, can have an important effect on the evolutionary patterns in cross-breeding taxa. Although interspecific hybridization has frequently been considered as a maladaptive process, which threatens species genetic integrity and survival via genetic swamping and outbreeding depression, in some cases hybridization can introduce novel adaptive variation and increase fitness. Most studies to date focused on documenting hybridization events and analyzing their causes, while relatively little is known about the consequences of hybridization and its impact on the parental species. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review of studies on hybridization in mammals published in 2010–2021, and identified 115 relevant studies. Of 13 categories of hybridization consequences described in these studies, the most common negative consequence (21% of studies) was genetic swamping and the most common positive consequence (8%) was the gain of novel adaptive variation. The total frequency of negative consequences (49%) was higher than positive (13%) and neutral (38%) consequences. These frequencies are biased by the detection possibilities of microsatellite loci, the most common genetic markers used in the papers assessed. As negative outcomes are typically easier to demonstrate than positive ones (e.g., extinction vs hybrid speciation), they may be over-represented in publications. Transition towards genomic studies involving both neutral and adaptive variation will provide a better insight into the real impacts of hybridization.

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“…However, our limited sampling for genetic analysis only discards the possibility of hybridization on this set of individuals, rendering the need for further investigations with a higher sampling coverage, including local village dogs at sympatric locations with golden jackals. Current hybridization between domestic dogs and wild canids, including golden jackals, has often been reported (e.g., Galov et al, 2015;Godinho et al, 2011;Mallil et al, 2020) and may result in major threats to the genetic integrity of the wild populations that needs to be properly monitored (Salvatori et al, 2019).…”

Section: Genetic Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat use and population genetics of golden jackals in Iran: Insights from a generalist species in a highly heterogeneous landscape

Yusefi

Godinho

Khalatbari

et al. 2021

J Zool Syst Evol Res

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Generalist species are often characterized by low habitat specialization and reduced genetic structure in their populations. Here, we tested this common assumption on golden jackals in Iran, a wide country with a highly heterogeneous landscape where this carnivore is assumed to be widespread, although little is known about the ecology and population genetics of this species. We investigate distribution patterns, habitat requirements, and niche breadth of golden jackals by using GIS techniques and ecological modeling over a total of 452 presence records. We then assessed genetic diversity and population structure by analyzing 24 samples for 43 microsatellites. The observed distribution patterns show an extensive range across a wide climatic, ecological and altitudinal gradient, covering eight climate regions and 16 terrestrial ecoregions. Ecological modeling confirms high habitat plasticity of the golden jackal, with selection of mountainous areas with high slopes, moderate temperatures, and areas with low human population and activity while avoiding hyper-arid regions. Estimated values of niche breadth were high, indicating that is a generalist species in the study area. The observed genetic diversity was high, representing the highest value reported so far in this species. We found no signature of population structure, suggesting a single genetic cluster, as well as no evidence of hybridization with domestic dogs.Our results provide valuable ecological and genetic information on a widespread but poorly known carnivore, often disregarded in conservation strategies but under pressure from anthropogenic threats.

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Population genetics of the African wolf (Canis lupaster) across its range: first evidence of hybridization with domestic dogs in Africa

Cited by 9 publications

References 74 publications

Towards resolving taxonomic uncertainties in wolf, dog and jackal lineages of Africa, Eurasia and Australasia

Towards resolving taxonomic uncertainties in wolf, dog and jackal lineages of Africa, Eurasia and Australasia

Consequences of Hybridization in Mammals: A Systematic Review

Habitat use and population genetics of golden jackals in Iran: Insights from a generalist species in a highly heterogeneous landscape

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