Evolutionary history of African Wolf (Canis lupaster)

Juliana Walterová

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This thesis aimed to provide a comprehensive review of taxonomy, geographical range, historical gene flow, population genetics, hybridization, and conflicts of the African wolf (Canis lupaster) through literary research of scientific articles. The African wolf is a unique species genetically distinct from the Golden jackal (C. aureus) and the Grey wolf (C. lupus). In the literature before 2011, it was considered a subspecies of the Golden jackal thanks to their phenotypic similarity. Speciation started during the Middle Pleistocene when dry and cold glacial periods alternated with more humid interglacial periods. During interglacial periods, Sahara was full of grass, like savannah, and enabled the migration and expansion of many species like the African wolf. Its population differentiated into genetically different Northwestern and Eastern populations between 30 and 16 thousand years ago. The Northwestern population experienced ancient introgression from the Grey wolf and Golden jackal; on the other side of the Sahara is the East population with introgression from the currently endangered Ethiopian wolf (C. simensis). Evidence of the recent hybridization of the African wolf with domestic dogs have recently been discovered in Egypt, Senegal, and Ethiopia. This hybridization is considered as a threat to the species through genetic degradation and pathogen transmission. African wolves however face other threats like habitat degradation through anthropogenic changes of the environment and conflict with humans. Farmers are often persecuting African wolves for killing their livestock and these incidents are not regulated in Africa. Conservation and management of African wolves will be necessary, ideally with the education of farmers on how to protect livestock better against the African wolf. The African wolf might potentially compete with the endangered Ethiopian wolf because their ecological niches overlap. They both feed on rodents, so competition for sources is possible in the future.

Keywords

Canis lupaster, hybridization, phylogeny, taxonomy, gene flow

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 25. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: Mgr. Barbora Černá Bolfíková, Ph.D.
• Reader: Pavel Hulva, externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme:
Tropical Agriculture