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Problems and Policy for Species Threatened by Hybridization: The Red Wolf as a Case Study

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Wildlife 2001: Populations

Abstract

Hybridization involving rare and endangered species and subspecies may be a concern if it threatens their genetic integrity. The depth of concern depends somewhat on the definition of species and subspecies that is applied and the evolutionary significance of hybridization at different taxonomic levels. The Endangered Species Act does not distinguish among different taxonomic levels, nor does it directly address protection of hybrids. In this paper, we show, using molecular genetic techniques, that red wolves have hybridized extensively with coyotes and gray wolves. Three hypotheses are given for the origin of the red wolf phenotype and we discuss the policy implications of each hypothesis. We argue that if the captive-bred red wolves are descendants of a once distinct species or subspecies they deserve protection even though they are hybrids. However, if they are entirely a hybrid form, their protection and reintroduction should be questioned.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Susan M. Jenks

    Present address: Department of Psychology, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, 94720, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA

    Susan M. Jenks & Robert K. Wayne

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  1. Susan M. Jenks
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  2. Robert K. Wayne
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry and Resource Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

    Dale R. McCullough  & Reginald H. Barrett  & 

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© 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd

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Jenks, S.M., Wayne, R.K. (1992). Problems and Policy for Species Threatened by Hybridization: The Red Wolf as a Case Study. In: McCullough, D.R., Barrett, R.H. (eds) Wildlife 2001: Populations. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2868-1_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2868-1_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85166-876-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2868-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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