Marie-Pier Caya
Université du Québec en Outaouais
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Angélique Dupuch
Yann Surget-Groba
Start: 2024-04-29
End: 2026-08-29
M.Sc. candidate
Supervisor: Angélique Dupuch
Yann Surget-Groba
Start: 2024-04-29
End: 2026-08-29
Project
Wolf-coyote hybridization and genetic integrity of wolf populations in protected territoriesThis project will aim to quantify the hybridization between the wolf and the coyote (Canis latrans). In the North East of America, the expansion of the coyote during the 20th century and human activities having reduced wolf populations have led these two species to hybridize in Ontario and Quebec. The genetic integrity of wolf populations being threatened by this hybridization, an estimate of the level of hybridization is necessary. Protected territories could represent essential habitats for maintaining the genetics of wolf populations by reducing the potential of hybridization with the coyote. Although hybridization between wolves and coyotes is well documented in Quebec, its evaluation mainly focused on samples from exploited territories. As the level of wolf-coyote hybridization in protected territories remains poorly documented, it will be quantified in order to compare it to the one measured in the unprotected territories. To do this, samples of hair, feces and urine of canines from three national parks and one private reserve (protected territories) as well as an unprotected reserve will be taken using fur traps or in the snow. Genetic analyzes will be carried out on these in order to classify the individuals into three categories (wolf, coyote or wolf hybrid) and calculate the proportion of hybrids for each territory. At the same time, an attempt to distinguish wolf, coyote and hybrid howls from SongMeter 4 audio recorders installed in two of the national parks during the summer will be carried out. The results of this project will help feed the conservation, management and communication plans for the territories under study.
