Habitat: Temperate coniferous forest, temperate deciduous forest, wetland. Hybrids also occur in Louisiana and Galveston island (Texas). Now only found in the North Carolina Red Wolf Recovery Area (NCRWRA) of eastern North Carolina extirpated everywhere else.
Hybrids in Louisiana and Galveston Island have a significant amount of this wolf's genes, some of which are no longer found in the "purebred" population.ĭistribution: Historically ranged throughout the American Southeast. Regardless of its evolutionary origins, h ybridization between this wolf and Canis latrans occurs/continues wherever their ranges overlap. Under the hybrid hypothesis, a subspecies of Canis lupus formerly inhabited the defined range of Canis rufus and extensively hybridized with Canis latrans when its numbers plummeted.
It is possible that multiple hypotheses explain this wolf's origin perhaps it diverged from its ancestor then hybridized with other species during its evolution. More genetic research is needed to understand the relations between eastern North American wolves, with a focus on comparing contemporary populations with historical populations.
T he taxonomy and evolutionary history of this wolf are scientifically controversial there are 3 main hypotheses supported by the available data:ġ) This wolf is a distinct species that evolved from the same ancestor as Canis lycaon and Canis latrans (Coyote).Ģ) This wolf is a subspecies of Canis lycaon, which evolved from the same ancestor as Canis latrans.ģ) This wolf is a hybrid (ancient or recent) between Canis lupus (Grey Wolf, Holarctic Wolf ) and Canis latrans, with a higher percentage of DNA from the latter species (under this hypothesis, it might be classified as a "hybrid species"). The validity of these subspecies have not been genetically tested since there has yet to be a range-wide analysis of historical specimens. * Canis rufus gregoryi (Mississippi Valley Red Wolf, Mississippi Valley Wolf) * Canis rufus floridanus (Florida Red Wolf, Florida Wolf) Intraspecific Populations: This wolf is currently classified as either a monotypic species or a single subspecies in genetic studies, but 3 morphological subspecies were historically recognized: Synonyms: Canis ater, Canis floridanus, Canis lupus floridanus, Canis lupus gregoryi, Canis lupus rufus, Canis niger, Canis niger gregoryi, Canis niger niger, Canis niger rufus, Canis lupus X latransĪlso see Scientific Name - the specific/subspecific names that are not formally adopted as the scientific name for this wolf will become synonyms of it. The subspecific name of this wolf would become Canis lycaon rufus (plus Canis lycaon floridanus and Canis lycaon gregoryi if they are recognized - see Intraspecific Populations). If this wolf and Canis lycaon (Eastern Wolf, Northern Red Wolf ) are lumped into the same species (see taxonomic notes), then " Canis lycaon" is the proper specific name due to the rule of nomenclatural priority it is unlikely (albeit possible) that " Canis rufus" will be maintained under a nomenclatural rule exemption. Naming Notes : The North American subspecies of Canis lupus are popularly called the "Timber Wolf," though this vernacular name is rarely used by modern biologists.
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