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The origins of the enigmatic Falkland Islands wolf

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremy J. Austin

    (Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace
    Museum Victoria, Carlton Gardens)

  • Julien Soubrier

    (Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace)

  • Francisco J. Prevosti

    (División of Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’—CONICET, Avenida Angel Gallardo 470)

  • Luciano Prates

    (División of Arqueología, Museo de La Plata)

  • Valentina Trejo

    (Martín Alonso Pinzón 6511, Las Condes)

  • Francisco Mena

    (Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (R10C1003), I. Serrano 509)

  • Alan Cooper

    (Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace)

Abstract

The origins of the extinct Falkland Islands wolf (FIW), Dusicyon australis, have remained a mystery since it was first recorded by Europeans in the seventeenth century. It is the only terrestrial mammal on the Falkland Islands (also known as the Malvinas Islands), which lie ~460 km from Argentina, leading to suggestions of either human-mediated transport or overwater dispersal. Previous studies used ancient DNA from museum specimens to suggest that the FIW diverged from its closest living relative, the South American maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) around 7 Ma, and colonized the islands ~330 ka by unknown means. Here we retrieve ancient DNA from subfossils of an extinct mainland relative, Dusicyon avus, and reveal the FIW lineage became isolated only 16 ka (8–31 ka), during the last glacial phase. Submarine terraces, formed on the Argentine coastal shelf by low sea-stands during this period, suggest that the FIW colonized via a narrow, shallow marine strait, potentially while it was frozen over.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy J. Austin & Julien Soubrier & Francisco J. Prevosti & Luciano Prates & Valentina Trejo & Francisco Mena & Alan Cooper, 2013. "The origins of the enigmatic Falkland Islands wolf," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2570
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2570
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