• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
    • Graduate Abstract Locator
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Using Mitochondrial DNA to Determine Coyote-Wolf Hybridization in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Undergraduate #17
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Genetics

Taylor Soto - University of Wisconsin-River Falls


The ongoing argument over the evolutionary history and genetic composition of Canid populations within North America has become primarily relevant to the conservation and management of coyotes and wolves. Over a century ago, the over-harvesting of wolves led to the hybridization between Eastern wolves and Western coyotes in the Northeastern region of the United States, resulting in the coyote-wolf hybrid, the coywolf. Current research suggests that coywolves are highly adaptable and found across various regions of North America. The focus of this research is to use PCR-RFLPs (restriction fragment length polymorphism) to determine if coywolves are present in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A restriction site and a length difference in the control region of mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) was used to differentiate wolf and coyote haplotypes; the restriction site is present in wolves but not coyotes. The DNA was extracted using a QIAGEN DNeasy kit, then PCR was run with a primer pair constructed from the coyote and wolf sequences (Wiley et al. 1998). Specimens were gathered from different regions of the two states by collecting buccal, hair and tissue samples from taxidermists, roadkill and rehabilitation centers. During the pilot study we have found that the coyotes collected do not possess wolf ancestry in the mtDNA. Due to the findings of the initial study further research will be done by expanding the project from 10 to over 100 coyote samples. Future research will be focused on using this method so we can determine if hybridized coyotes are present in Minnesota and Wisconsin without directly interfering with wild populations.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): University of Wisconsin-River Falls Biology Department USE Grant from UW-River Falls (URSCA) McNair Scholars Program

Faculty Advisor: Kevyn Juneau, kevyn.juneau@uwrf.edu

Role: This is my independent research project because I am the one who started it at UW-River Falls. With the help of my research mentor, Dr. Kevyn Juneau I was able to apply for grant funding and start the project in the fall of 2016. From then on, we have worked with taxidermists, wildlife rehabilitators and finding roadkill in order to collect samples for the project. As well as working with Como Zoo in Minnesota to get Gray wolf samples as a control. I have been a part of all aspects of this project including research, lab work, collecting data and presenting the research at top institutions.

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science