speciation

Based on the article and Mayr’s definition of a species, I think that it is correct to say that coyotes (Canis latrans), wolves (Canis lupus), and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are separate species. The article does mention that in the past, and certainly today, that all three species have the ability to breed with one another, but in Mayr’s definition there is an emphasis on “interbreeding natural populations.” In his article Kays says the last recent account of wolf and coyote mating took place a hundred years ago and was due to low numbers of wolves in the Great Lakes area, maybe caused by overhunting which would not be a natural occurrence. This forced both species to interact in order to try and repopulate. The same occurred between dogs and coyotes as coyotes began moving east but could not find others and instead bred with feral dogs. Kays also states that while interbreeding can happen, its not preferred between each of the species, that they rather be exclusive within their own group. Based on that, I think its safe to call coyotes, wolves, and dogs their own species.