What is the evolutionary history of the red wolf?
A) The red wolf (Canis rufus) was always a species and evolved independently from Canis lupis as a result of geographic isolation when humans modified the landscape.
B) The red wolf (Canis rufus) was always a species and evolved independently from Canis latrans as a result of geographic isolation when humans modified the landscape
C) The red wolf (Canis rufus) was never a species that evolved independently. It is a hybrid Canis rufus and C. latrans.
D) None of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The red wolf (Canis rufus) is not a distinct species, but is rather a hybrid of grey wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). This hybridization occurred as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human activities, leading to population mixing and interbreeding between the two species. While red wolves were once considered a separate species, genetic analysis has shown that they are not distinct enough from coyotes or grey wolves to warrant separate species status.

What Is the Evolutionary History of the Red Wolf