Wolf-dog hybrids in Belarus: identification and rate estimation
https://doi.org/10.29235/1029-8940-2025-70-2-125-134
Abstract
In Belarus, the wolf is classified as an unregulated hunting species, and hunting is permitted throughout the year. For many years, the wolf population has been under hunting pressure, yet a moderate proportion persists. However, the disruption of the territorial and sexual structure of the wolf population in the context of a high numbers of stray dogs and free-ranging dogs, can lead to a number of negative consequences, one of which is hybridization. The paper presents the results of molecular genetic identification of wolf-dog hybrids based on STR analysis and the first data on the prevalence of such animals in Belarus. The obtained data confirm the presence of hybridization of wolves with stray dogs in Belarus, while no data are shown on any geographical conditionality or the concentration of hybrid individuals in the regions of the country.
Keywords
Carnivora,
Canidae,
hybridization,
microsatellites,
STR,
D-loop,
mitochondrial DNA,
Canis lupus,
Canis familiaris,
Belarus
About the Authors
V. O. Molchan
Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Bioresources
Belarus
Belarus
Vladislav O. Molchan – Junior Researcher, Graduate Student
27, Akademicheskaya Str., 220072, Minsk
K. V. Homel
Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Bioresources
Belarus
Belarus
Kanstantsin V. Homel ‒ Ph. D. (Biol.), Leading Researcher.
27, Akademicheskaya Str., 220072, Minsk
M. E. Nikiforov
Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Bioresources
Belarus
Belarus
Michail E. Nikiforov – Academician, D. Sc. (Biol.), Professor, Head of the Laboratory
27, Akademicheskaya Str., 220072, Minsk
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