Meeting Abstract

33-2   09:15 - 09:30  The Impact of Historical Sympatry on Wolf-like Canid Genetics and Ecology in the Southern Great Plains Cortes, CS*; Smith, KS; Monroe, CR; Czaplewski, NJ; Postoak, B; Leland, BC; Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences; Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences; University of Oklahoma; University of Oklahoma; Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences; University of Oklahoma celine.cortes@okstate.edu

Human persecution of wolf-like canids (Canidae: Canis) in North America has severely impacted their geographic range and diversity. This is notably evident in the Southern Great Plains of the U.S., spanning the states of Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Prior to the end of the 20th century, this region supported the now extinct Great Plains wolf (C. lupus nubilus), in addition to the locally extinct gray wolf (C. lupus), red wolf (C. rufus), and Mexican wolf (C. lupus baileyi). Current diversity has been reduced to the coyote (C. latrans) and domestic dog (C. lupus familiaris), yet effects of wolf presence persist. Wolf-like canids are known to hybridize, and mesopredators such as coyotes likely experienced an expansion in potential food items following wolf extinction. By applying genomic and isotopic analyses to modern and subfossil wolf-like canid specimens, we can investigate effects of historical sympatry on their genetics and ecology through time. Molecular analyses will include mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing for taxonomic ID and measures of relatedness to assess extent of hybridization. Isotopic analyses will include radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating for chronological age, and measurements of ¹³C and ¹⁵N for dietary composition and relative trophic position. Preliminary radiocarbon dating revealed chronological ages from 680 +/- 30 to 100 +/- 30 years before present. mtDNA sequencing of morphologically identified wolves has identified two gray wolves and two domestic dogs, suggesting introgression. Additional specimens are currently being analyzed and will allow for more robust temporal and geographic coverage to assess change in community structure through time. It is imperative we investigate the impact of wolf occupation on historical communities to inform existing wolf recovery programs and anticipate ecological shifts due to natural wolf recolonizations.