Two decades of non-invasive genetic monitoring of the grey wolves recolonizing the Alps support very limited dog introgression.

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License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_0FD3BC907FE5
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Two decades of non-invasive genetic monitoring of the grey wolves recolonizing the Alps support very limited dog introgression.
Journal
Scientific Reports
Author(s)
Dufresnes C., Remollino N., Stoffel C., Manz R., Weber J.M., Fumagalli L.
ISSN
2045-2322 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
2045-2322
Publication state
Published
Issued date
16/01/2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
9
Number
1
Pages
148
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Potential hybridization between wolves and dogs has fueled the sensitive conservation and political debate underlying the recovery of the grey wolf throughout Europe. Here we provide the first genetic analysis of wolf-dog admixture in an area entirely recolonized, the northwestern Alps. As part of a long-term monitoring program, we performed genetic screening of thousands of non-invasive samples collected in Switzerland and adjacent territories since the return of the wolf in the mid-1990s. We identified a total of 115 individuals, only 2 of them showing significant signs of admixture stemming from past interbreeding with dogs, followed by backcrossing. This low rate of introgression (<2% accounting for all wolves ever detected over 1998-2017) parallels those from other European populations, especially in Western Europe (<7%). Despite potential hybridization with stray dogs, few founders and strong anthropogenic pressures, the genetic integrity of the Alpine population has remained intact throughout the entire recolonization process. In a context of widespread misinformation, this finding should reduce conflicts among the different actors involved and facilitate wolf conservation. Real-time genetic monitoring will be necessary to identify potential hybrids and support an effective management of this emblematic population.
Keywords
Animals, Dogs, Genetic Variation, Genotype, Hybridization, Genetic, Phylogeography, Switzerland, Wolves/genetics
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
16/01/2019 16:02
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:18
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