Genetic variation in nine northern subspecies of the coyote, Canis latrans

The range of Canis latrans extends from Alaska, south to Central America, and from California east to Nova Scotia. Within this area there are 20 described subspecies, Many of their current distributions were defined without consideration of gene flow. In this study, populations from nine different, contiguous northern subspecies of coyote were analyzed for allozyme variability, and genetic isolation. This was accomplished by comparing muscle tissue proteins electrophoretically on starch gels. A survey of 22 enzyme systems, consisting of 44 loci, was conducted on from 1 to 3 populations from each subspecies. Results of the study revealed that in most cases, the genetic similarity among populations of coyotes examined does not correspond to the subspecific designations described in the literature. Values of heterozygosity were consistent with that of other mammals and in contrast to some theoretical statements, this study presents another example of a large mammal which has average heterozygosity.