Wolves and coyotes are most often brownish-greyish in color, but sometimes they’re a deep, dramatic black, as in this photo.
Wolves in Yellowstone
Now, researchers have learned that the wild ones owe that coloring to their domesticated cousin, the dog.
Researchers examined strings of wolf, coyote and dog DNA to find the mutation responsible for melanism. They found that it first took place thousands of years ago.
Mousepad from Dogstuff
It’s possible that the mutation was originally passed from wolves to dogs. Or it might have started in dogs, soon after they began to be domesticated.
Either way, after dogs were brought to the New World, they passed the mutation on to the wolf and coyote populations.
Art print from Dogstuff
It’s rare for a domesticated species to give a genetic advantage to a wild animal. But the mutation would not survive unless it had some benefit, researchers say.
Black-colored wolves are more common in forested areas, as opposed to those who live on the open tundra. Scientists are still trying to determine what benefit melanism provides.
