To address a recent petition to list alexander archipelago wolves under the endangered species act, the USFWS has requested new information regarding 1) genetics of alexander archipelago wolves in…

To address a recent petition to list alexander archipelago wolves under the endangered species act, the USFWS has requested new information regarding 1) genetics of alexander archipelago wolves in southeast alaska, and 2) information related to population dynamics between wolves in coastal BC and southeast alaska. Given the high level of genetic structuring seen in some coastal wolf populations, a major GAP in our knowledge of alexander archipelago wolves is the degree of genetic connectivity among populations throughout the entire subspecies range, and especially across the international border. We propose to obtain wolf DNA samples from throughout southeast alaska, coastal british columbia, and adjacent areas of interior BC, the yukon territory, and alaska for broadscale population genetic context. We will use samples already collected from southeast alaska, the yukon territory, vancouver island, and interior BC, and coordinate with the province of BC to collect hair samples from the BC coast area. We will genotype at least 500 wolves using 24 microsatellite loci and DNA from the collected samples. Our goal is to characterize spatial genetic structure, distribution of genetic diversity, and define areas of genetic connectivity across the occupied subspecies range for the first time. This information will be valuable in assessing genetic structure of wolves at multiple spatial scales and will inform current and future decisions regarding the conservation and management of wolves in southeast alaska. Furthermore, our research will shed light on the amount of gene flow among populations and help US predict the ability of wolves to move among islands, and between islands and the mainland, an important consideration in determining viability of populations.