Wolves Black Color Tied to Gene Mutation in Dogs

nytimes ^ | February 5, 2009

[JoeProBono]

In a bit of genetic sleuthing, a team of researchers has determined that black wolves and coyotes in North America got their distinctive color from dogs that carried a gene mutation to the New World. The finding presents a rare instance in which a genetic mutation from a domesticated animal has benefited wild animals by enriching their genetic legacy, the scientists write in Thursdays Science Express, the online edition of the journal Science. Since black wolves are more common in forested areas than on the tundra, the researchers concluded that melanism the pigmentation that came from the mutation must give those animals an adaptive advantage.

[JoeProBono]

Researchers have determined that black-coated wolves, like these in Yellowstone National Park, got their distinctive color from dogs.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[RichInOC]

I CAN HAS KITTEHBURGER?

[mamelukesabre]

OK. But dogs came from wolves. So black came from wolves.

[JoeProBono]

Aaaaaaah

[atomic_dog]

Canis lupus familiaris

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Interesting final sentence:

************************

But, he added, “This is an important paper that among other things should make us revisit and likely revise what we mean by a ‘pure’ species.”

What would this do to the endangered species ACT?

[JoeProBono]

Canis Lupus Stolichnayas

[central_va]

No , it came from the African Swallow.

[goat granny]

Great Picture......

[mamelukesabre]

THat’s a canis lupis familiaris snoutus smashtus.

[mamelukesabre]

swallowed what? Something black?

[Wolfstar]

Thanks for the beautiful photos of wolves, Joe. :)

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[tubebender]

Nice Puppy...

[JoeProBono]

Catch and release: A pug lands on its back after being let go by the black wolf at Mendenhall Lake.

[Vinnie]

The finding presents a rare instance in which a genetic mutation from a domesticated animal has benefited wild animals by enriching their genetic legacy...

Wonderful diversity.
Uh.. notice how the black wolves are much easier to see than the gray ones.
An advantage??

[JoeProBono]

"black wolves are much easier to see than the gray ones. An advantage??"

Yep. To the caribou

A black wolf chases a bull caribou