![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Abstract
Wolves have the ability to live in different habitats. However, in recent years, in many areas wolf populations have drastically declined and some of them have disappeared. A major concern in the management of wolf populations is the hybridization between wolves and dogs. In some regions, in order to generate strong breeds of guard dogs, wolves and dogs are intentionally hybridized. In this study, gene flow between wolves and dogs in Iran was examined, using a combination of uniparental markers: the mitochondrial DNA control region and four Y chromosome microsatellites. The species of origin of each haplotype was attributed by phylogenetic analyses. A very limited number of haplotypes was shared, suggesting limited gene flow between wolves and dogs in Iran. However, possible factors promoting hybridization are still present in the country and should not be neglected in the future management of the wild species.
Acknowledgements
This study was performed as a master's thesis of the Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, and was supported by the Iranian Department of Environment (DOE), Hamedan province. We express gratitude for the contribution of Arman Ardalan, Ali Shabani, Shahabaddin Montazami, Wahid Zamani, Neda Behdarvand, Zohreh Ghodsi, and all those who helped us with this study.
Supplementary Material
The Annex is given as supplementary information via the “Supplementary” tab on the article's online page (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2014.914708).