Agouti sequence polymorphisms in coyotes, wolves and dogs suggest hybridization

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Canid Biology
• Molecular Evolution

Background:

• The Agouti Signal Peptide (ASIP) gene influences coat color in domestic dogs through various alleles.
• Banded hair is common in Canadian coyotes and most wolves, suggesting underlying genetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the polymorphism of the ASIP gene in Canadian wild canids (wolves and coyotes).
• To compare ASIP gene variations between wild canids and domestic dogs.
• To identify potential genetic markers for population studies and hybrid detection.

Main Methods:

• Sequencing of the ASIP coding sequence and flanking regions in wolves and coyotes.
• Comparison of sequences with known domestic dog ASIP alleles.
• Analysis of polymorphisms in the 3' Untranslated Region (UTR) of the ASIP gene.

Main Results:

• Wolf ASIP coding sequences were identical to domestic dogs.
• Coyotes exhibited a novel ASIP variant in exon 4 and polymorphisms in flanking regions and the 3' UTR.
• The R96C ASIP allele, linked to solid black coat color in dogs, was found in one wolf (potentially a hybrid) and not in coyotes.
• Two coyotes showed heterozygosity for mutations associated with fawn coat color in dogs, suggesting hybridization.

Conclusions:

• Coyotes possess distinct ASIP gene polymorphisms compared to wolves and domestic dogs.
• The identified coyote ASIP polymorphisms may serve as valuable markers for population genetics.
• Evidence suggests potential hybridization between coyotes and domestic dogs, indicated by shared coat color gene variants.