DaddyBobMN

DaddyBobMN t1_iuilw4e wrote

65/25/10 or therabouts seems to be what studies have found.

It's interesting that there may be a correlation between habitat and genetic admixture based on prey size. Eastern coyotes in more settled or urban habitats of New England have tended to be smaller, like a coyote, and show less wolf DNA in their lineage. Those in more remote habitats, especially where large populations of deer are found, are often larger and this is most likely due to the greater percentage of wolf genetics in their makeup.

So in effect there are two distinct groups of hybrids developing in the northeast over time.

Overall it's a fascinating subject for someone like me with a background in wildlife ecology and evolutionary biology. I am jealous of the folks who get to study stuff like this for a living.

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DaddyBobMN t1_iugrpwz wrote

Eastern coyotes have been shown to have a significant percentage of wolf DNA which is why they are larger than genetically purer coyote populations from out west and could explain a somewhat wolf-like appearance in certain individuals.

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DaddyBobMN t1_ita2r0u wrote

The general gist I get from neighbors, coworkers, folks I know around town, etc is that Vermonters have been travelling more this summer and fall as well, probably in line with the rest of the US.

Weekends in NYC, busloads down to Foxborough for a game, flying down to the coast somewhere warmer, the casino in CT, Jersey Shore, Vegas, Nashville, whatever.

More movement, more potential for anything to spread.

It's like people forget that tourism goes both ways. Anyone who has pics of their own trips on social media isn't allowed to complain about leaf peepers or skiers or any other visitors to me.

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