New Paper: The Himalayan Wolf in Nepal
Our latest genetic research is underspinning the evolutionary uniqueness of the Himalayan wolf wich is a crucial basis for its taxonomic acknowledgment and conservation!
In this research article we provide an extensive genetic study around Himalayan wolf phylogeny based on field collected data from northwestern Nepal. We contribute to the scientific data base around the Himalayan wolf required to make a taxonomic classification which is crucial for its conservation.
We include phylogenetic analysis of four different regions of the mitochondrial and nuclear genome of the Himalayan wolf and put the Himalayan wolf lineage in evolutionary context of canids from around the globe. We provide novel distribution insights which suggest that the Himalayan wolf lineage is found not only in the Himalayan Mountains but may be found across the Tibetan Plateau habitat. We further summarize and clarify the ambiguous naming used in the past for this wolf lineage.
We conclude that the Himalayan wolf is an evolutionary distinct wolf roaming the high altitudes of Central Asia which merits formal taxonomic description and conservation action.