Eastern Coyotes Research Articles

Genetic Characterization of Eastern “Coyotes” in Eastern Massachusetts

This study examined the genetic nature and relatedness of Canis latrans (Coyotes) in eastern Massachusetts (i.e., eastern Coyotes). We characterized 67 animals at the mitochondrial DNA control region, and 55 of those at 8 microsatellite loci. Structure analysis and factorial correspondence analysis of the microsatellite genotypes indicated that the eastern Coyotes in Massachusetts clustered with other northeastern Canis populations and away from western Coyotes, C. lycaon (Eastern Wolves), and C. lupus (Gray Wolves). They contained mitochondrial haplotypes from both western Coyotes and Eastern Wolves, consistent with their hybrid origin from these two species. There was no evidence of either C. lupus familiaris (Domestic Dog) or Gray Wolf mitochondrial DNA in the animals. These results indicate that the eastern Coyote should more appropriately be termed “Coywolf” to reflect their hybrid (C. latrans x lycaon) origin. Genetic data were also used to assess parental and kinship relationships, and confirmed that family units typically contain an unrelated breeding pair and their offspring. Lastly, a synthesis of knowledge of the eastern Coyote as well as implications for Wolf recovery in the northeast US is provided.

A Perspective on the Genetic Composition of Eastern Coyotes

Way et al. (2010) defi ne a coywolf population in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada that originated through hybridization between Canis lycaon (Eastern Wolf) and Canis latrans (Coyote), but they maintain that it is now genetically uniform and only minimally infl uenced by either parental spe- cies. An alternative interpretation of available data is that this northeastern Coyote population is genetically diverse, substantially more Coyote than Eastern Wolf in its genetic composition, and part of a larger population of Coyotes that interbreeds with a hybrid Coyote/Eastern Wolf population in southern Ontario and western Coyotes in western New York and Pennsylvania.

Coyote Habitat Selection and Management Implications for the Gaspésie Caribou

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic disturbances can promote establishment and growth of predator populations in areas where secondary prey can then become threatened. In this study, we investigated habitat selection of eastern coyotes (Canis latrans), a relatively new predator in the vicinity of an endangered population of caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). We hypothesized that coyotes in the boreal forest depend mainly on disturbed habitat, particularly that of anthropogenic origin, because these habitats provide increased food accessibility. Coyotes would likely take advantage of moose (Alces alces) carcasses, berries, and snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) found in open habitats created by logging. To test these predictions, we described coyote diet and habitat selection at different spatial and temporal levels and then compared resource availability between habitats. To do so, we installed Global Positioning System radiocollars on 23 individual coyotes in the Gaspésie Peninsula, eastern Québec, Canada. Coyotes selected clear‐cuts of 5–20 years and avoided mature coniferous forests both at the landscape and home‐range levels. Clear‐cuts of 5–20 years were found to contain a high availability of moose carcasses and berries, and vulnerability of snowshoe hares is known to increase in clear‐cuts. The importance of these 3 food resources was confirmed by the characteristics of core areas used by coyotes and diet analysis. Moose remains were found at 45% of core areas and coyote diet comprised 51% moose on an annual basis. Anthropogenic disturbances in the boreal forest thus seem to benefit coyotes. Our results indicated that the relationship between coyotes and caribou likely involves spillover predation. This knowledge allows managers to consider spillover predation by coyotes as a possible threat for endangered caribou population when the predator depends mainly on habitat of anthropogenic origin and to suggest methods to alleviate it when developing management plans.

Incidental capture of American Crows in coyote-sized box traps

en

Rapid adaptive evolution of northeastern coyotes via hybridization with wolves

The dramatic expansion of the geographical range of coyotes over the last 90 years is partly explained by changes to the landscape and local extinctions of wolves, but hybridization may also have facilitated their movement. We present mtDNA sequence data from 686 eastern coyotes and measurements of 196 skulls related to their two-front colonization pattern. We find evidence for hybridization with Great Lakes wolves only along the northern front, which is correlated with larger skull size, increased sexual dimorphism and a five times faster colonization rate than the southern front. Northeastern haplotype diversity is low, suggesting that this population was founded by very few females moving across the Saint Lawrence River. This northern front then spread south and west, eventually coming in contact with an expanding front of non-hybrid coyotes in western New York and Pennsylvania. We suggest that hybridization with wolves in Canada introduced adaptive variation that contributed to larger size, which in turn allowed eastern coyotes to better hunt deer, allowing a more rapid colonization of new areas than coyotes without introgressed wolf genes. Thus, hybridization is a conduit by which genetic variation from an extirpated species has been reintroduced into northeastern USA, enabling northeastern coyotes to occupy a portion of the niche left vacant by wolves.

Genetic and morphometric analysis of sixteenth century Canis skull fragments: implications for historic eastern and gray wolf distribution in North America

Resolving the taxonomy and historic ranges of species are essential to recovery plans for species at risk and conservation programs that aim to restore extirpated populations. In eastern North America, planning for wolf population restoration is complicated by the disputed historic distributions of two wolf species: the Old World-evolved gray wolf (Canis lupus) and the New World-evolved eastern wolf (C. lycaon). We used genetic and morphometric data from 4- to 500-year-old Canis samples excavated in London, Ontario, Canada to help clarify the historic range of these two wolf species in the eastern temperate forests of North America. We isolated DNA and sequenced the mitochondrial control region and found that none of the samples were of gray wolf origin. Two of the DNA sequences corresponded to those found in present day coyotes (C. latrans), but morphometric comparisons show an eastern wolf, not coyote, origin. The remaining two sequences matched ancient domestic dog haplotypes. These results suggest that the New World-evolved eastern wolf, not the gray wolf, occupied this region prior to the arrival of European settlers, although eastern-gray wolf hybrids cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, our data support the idea of a shared common ancestry between eastern wolves and western coyotes, and that the distribution of gray wolves at this time probably did not include the eastern temperate forests of North America.

Standing-Over in Captive Coywolves, <em>Canis latrans</em> × <em>lycaon</em>

I documented standing-over behavior in a captive Coywolf (Canis latrans × lycaon, Eastern Coyote) pack from April 2002 to October 2003. Standing-over involves an individual positioning its inguinal area over a recumbent (i.e., lying) individual's head. While all five Coywolves in my study pack performed standing-over, the dominant female was responsible for the vast majority. Thus, standing-over appears to be primarily female-oriented, as has previously been reported for Wolves, Canis lupus, and may involve two functions: (1) to advertise the reproductive state of the animal doing the standing-over and (2) to assert dominance via a low-intensity agonistic interaction.

Coywolf, <em>Canis latrans</em> × <em>lycaon</em>, Pack Density Doubles Following the Death of a Resident Territorial Male

We studied a subset of four radio-collared individuals that were a part of a larger study documenting Coywolf (Canis latrans × lycaon; Eastern Coyote) ecology in an urbanized landscape (Cape Cod, Massachusetts), and report on the territory of a typical sized pack that was subdivided roughly in half following the death of the breeding male from the original ("Centerville") pack. The original residents lived in a winter pack size (i.e., after pup/juvenile dispersal) of three or four individuals in a 19.66 km2 territory and a density of 0.15-0.20 individuals/km2, as determined by radio-tracking and direct observations, with their territory bordering that of other monitored packs. Following the death of the breeding male, two other radio-collared Coywolves (a young male from the original Centerville pack and a young female from a bordering pack) shifted their respective territories to overlap the majority of the original Centerville pack's territory. These two groups were the same size as the original pack (three or four individuals each) but occupied smaller territories (5.28 km2 and 12.70 km2) within the previous pack's territory. The combined density for the two new packs was estimated at 0.33-0.45 individuals/km2 or 2.2 times greater than the former pack's density and was 2.5 times (0.38-0.50 individuals/km2) greater when accounting for the slight (12%) overlap between the territories of the two new packs. Our results suggest that local Coyote/Coywolf density (i.e., at the pack level) may increase following the death of the breeding male of a given pack, probably because of the reduced (or lack of) protection of territorial boundaries. This finding has particular relevance to Coyote/Coywolf management programs aimed at reducing local densities via removal of individuals from these populations. Further implications exist for enriching our understanding of the trophic dynamics of urbanized habitats.

Observations of Coywolves, <em>Canis latrans</em> × <em>lycaon</em>, Crossing Bridges and Using Human Structures on Cape Cod, Massachusetts

I directly observed Coywolves (Canis latrans × lycaon; also called Eastern Coyote) successfully crossing over rivers/bays by traveling on paved (i.e., used by vehicles) bridges within their established territories. These data confirm that Coyotes/Coywolves use these narrow corridors in their travels, such as when colonizing new areas. I also report on breeding female, sick, and old Coywolves using human structures, including under overturned boats/canoes, under houses, and under sheds/decks. Breeding females (n = 3) used these sites as dens, and sick (n = 2) and old (n = 2) individuals used them for shelter.

Effects of Hierarchy Rank on Caching Frequency in a Captive Coywolf (Eastern Coyote) <em>Canis latrans</em> × <em>lycaon</em>, Pack

Caching is useful because it ensures a consistent supply of food for animals. However, there is a relative paucity of data concerning which members of canid social units make the most caches. We provide data indicating that dominant members of a captive Coywolf “Eastern Coyote”, (Canis latrans × lycaon) pack did the majority (78%, n = 46 of 59) of caching. Caching is a common activity stereotypically performed by canids, and dominant members of a social unit tend to cache more often.

Genetic Characterization of Hybrid Wolves across Ontario

Four ‘‘races’’ of wolves have been described in Ontario as follows: 1) Canis lupus hudsonicus inhabiting the subarctic tundra, 2) A race (Ontario type) of the eastern timber wolf (Canis lupus lycaon) that inhabits the boreal forests, 3) A second race (Algonquin type) of C. l. lycaon that inhabit the deciduous forests of the upper Great Lakes, and 4) A small wolf (Tweed type) in central Ontario that has been proposed to be a hybrid between the Algonquin type wolf and expanding coyotes, Canis latrans. Using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences and 8 microsatellite loci, we developed DNA profiles for 269 wolves from across Ontario. The distribution of mtDNA was predominantly coyote and the eastern wolf, Canis lycaon, in Algonquin Park and the southern Frontenac Axis with a combination of these mtDNA and gray wolf mtDNA in northern Ontario. Bayesian clustering grouped northern Ontario wolves independent of mtDNA with a second grouping of eastern and Tweed wolves from Algonquin. Individual clustering identified 3 groups represented by 1) northern Ontario wolves, 2) eastern wolves, and 3) Tweed wolves from the Frontenac Axis. Genomic representation analyses indicate that the Tweed wolves are hybrids between the coyote and the eastern wolf and represent the Ontario distribution of the eastern coyote, whereas the wolves in the upper Great Lakes region represent products of historic and/or continuing hybridization between C. lycaon and C. lupus. There was low structuring among wolves in these regions, and Algonquin suggesting a larger northern connected metapopulation with gene flow between the Ontario and Algonquin types.

"Suburban Howls: Tracking the Eastern Coyote in Urban Massachusetts" by Jonathan Way. 2007. [book review

"Suburban Howls: Tracking the Eastern Coyote in Urban Massachusetts" by Jonathan Way. 2007. [book review

Nomadic Behavior of an Old and Formerly Territorial Eastern Coyote, <em>Canis latrans</em>

We document the fate of a female Eastern Coyote on Cape Cod, Massachusetts that was a breeding resident of a ~30 km2 territory for at least six years (1998 – 2004) and then became nomadic. Her behavior dramatically changed in January 2005, when she was located on six occasions sleeping under sheds and/or decks in highly residential neighborhoods at the southeastern edge of her range. On 11 March 2005 she localized in a small area (95% MCP range = 5.85 km2) at the northeastern edge of her old territory, where she remained until 1 March 2006. After briefly associating with other Coyotes (late-February 2006), her movement patterns changed again. She used a much larger area (~200 km2) until she was shot dead in February 2007. Tracking data indicated that she lived in localized areas during this nomadic period, possibly to avoid resident Coyote packs.

Eastern Coyotes, <em>Canis latrans</em>, Observed Feeding on Periodical Cicadas, <em>Magicicada septendecim</em>

Eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) were observed feeding on Periodical Cicadas (Magicicada septendecim) during their once every 17 year emergence (for three weeks) in June 2008.

Movements of Transient Coyotes, <em>Canis latrans</em>, in Urbanized Eastern Massachusetts

I document the movements of five transient (or nomadic) eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) in heavily urbanized eastern Massachusetts. Linear movements from capture location to end location varied from 23.0 to 100.5 km and averaged 63.8 ± 52.0 km for two females and 38.7 ± 17.2 km for three males (t = 0.657, df = 1.15, P = 0.618). Transients ranged in age between 1-2 yr old. There was no relationship between Coyote body weight and dispersal distances (r = 0.389, P = 0.518). Coyotes travel long distances even in human-dominated areas, allowing transients to find vacant territories. Because of the ability of Coyotes to colonize and recolonize areas, I recommend that Coyote management efforts focus more on educating the public about actual Coyote behavior and their life history needs than on killing them.

Social and Play Behavior in a Wild Eastern Coyote, <em>Canis latrans</em>, Pack

I had close and consistent observations of a wild eastern Coyote pack (Canis latrans) from January 2000 to August 2007. During this time, I obtained 3156 radio-locations on a specific radio-collared breeding male (“Sill”) and observed him and/or members of his pack on 375 occasions. The average group size = 3.0 ± 2.3 (SD) Coyotes with 1.9 ± 1.2 (SD) being adults and 1.1 ± 1.9 being pups. Maximal group size involved 12 Coyotes (9 pups, 3 adults). During these observations, Coyotes most often behaved in a friendly manner toward each other as indicated by 80 of my observations involving play between pups, and 15 involving play among adult Coyotes. On the evening of 6 July 2007 I observed the breeding male (>8 yr old), his mate (>5 yr old), one of their full-sized probable yearlings, and five pups playing intensely for 33 minutes. This paper details social and play behavior from this pack, especially from the 6 July 2007 observation.

Details of Eastern Coyote, <em>Canis latrans</em>, Predation on Great Black-backed Gull, <em>Larus marinus</em>, Eggs on Boot Island National Wildlife Area, Nova Scotia

We detail field observations of Eastern Coyote eating Great Black-backed Gull eggs for the first time in the literature. Photographic evidence of the remaining egg shells allowed us to identify the Coyote as the predator.

Rat Poison Kills a Pack of Eastern Coyotes, <em>Canis latrans</em>, in an Urban Area

We document the death of a pack of Eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) from high levels of brodifacoum, a second generation poison that is the active ingredient in some forms of rat poison (e.g., d-Con®). The Coyotes died within a week of each other during late March/early April 2005. This incident indicates the vulnerability of wild animals to commercial over-the-counter rodenticides.

Use of "Micro"-Corridors by Eastern Coyotes, <em>Canis latrans</em>, in a Heavily Urbanized Area: Implications for Ecosystem Management

We document the use of very narrow, linear corridors (termed “micro-corridors”) that facilitated movements by both a transient and a resident group of eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) in a heavily urbanized area in north Boston, Massachusetts. Two corridors are discussed: one, a railroad line through downtown Boston; and two, a hole in a cemetery fence giving access to two separated cemeteries in a region of intense human development. Coyotes can be good subjects to illustrate the use of fragmented landscapes because they are common and thus are abundant enough to study yet are wary and avoid novel things and generally avoid people.

An Ethogram Developed on Captive Eastern Coyotes <em>Canis latrans</em>

We studied capture Eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) from 27-585 days of age and compiled an ethogram on them. A total of 72247 15-sec samples were taken, amounting to 301 h of field time varying between 59.4–61.3 h per Coyote. A total of 540 behavioral patterns was observed amongst the 16 behaviour categories ranging from 9 (miscellaneous) to 72 (explore/investigate) action patterns per parent category. The 16 parent categories that we believed best described and appropriately sorted the behavioural actions were resting, sitting, sitting1, sitting2, standing, traveling, explore/investigating, hunting, feeding, infantile, greeting, self play, play initiating, playing, agonistic, and miscellaneous. Exploring accounted for >31% of all of the behaviours observed with resting and sitting (combined), standing, traveling, and play as categories decreasing in order of most to least frequent. Despite some omissions in our ethogram and drift associated with its ongoing development, we believe that the large amount of data collected made it rigorous enough to be a useful guide for the species. We argue that although future research will no doubt add to and/or modify components of it, its ease of use in the field (in captivity or in the wild) and it being the first complete ethogram described for the species, make it a useful tool for future researchers.