In the northeastern regions of United States and Canada, inhabitants encounter a curious canid that, at first glance, looks like a coyote, but is larger and moves more like a wolf.
This animal, popularly called ‘coywolf’ or coywolf, has sparked a debate in the scientific community.
The main discussion revolves around whether this animal should be considered a new species. Genetic research has discovered that these animals are actually coyotes with a significant mix of wolf and some characteristics of domestic dog, varying according to geographical location.
For those living near urban areas, this means that managing and coexisting with these animals is based more on their behavior than on their taxonomic classification.
Historically, the coyote has expanded its territory eastward over the last 200 years due to changes in the landscape.
A report from the Wildlife Conservation Society documents their presence in Michigan around 1900 and in southern Ontario by 1919, before their proliferation in the northeastern part of America.
The disappearance of wolves in large areas and the transformation of the habitat due to logging and urbanization have facilitated the appearance of coywolves in places like the Great Lakes region, where the crossing between coyotes and wolves is not an anomaly.
A study published in Molecular Ecology analyzed 63 SNP markers in 427 canids, finding a genetic mix of coyote, wolf, and dog among the eastern populations.
Discovery of the ‘coywolf’
This suggests that eastern coyotes are a ‘hybrid swarm’ with varying levels of genetic mixing.
In areas with abundant white-tailed deer populations, it was observed that coyotes tend to have more wolf-like characteristics, indicating a possible local adaptation to the environment.
While some researchers, like Way and Lynn, propose that this animal deserves a scientific designation as Canis oriens, others like Kays and Monzón argue that there is no reproductive isolation to justify its classification as a distinct species.
The debate is not merely academic. In urban environments, the presence of eastern coyotes can increase conflicts where there is easy access to food, such as garbage or unsupervised pets.
A report from the WCS already indicated that human feeding of these animals is related to aggressive behaviors.
As preventive measures, authorities in Massachusetts recommend not feeding coyotes, removing attractants, keeping pets on a leash, and using safe methods to scare them away if they get too close.
The arrival of the coyote can also alter ecosystems, affecting smaller predators like foxes and feral cats. A study in Scientific Reports documented changes in habitat use by these animals on barrier islands.
