Investigation: Is a dog more closely related to a coyote or to a wolf?
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Gray Wolf Species Name: Canis lupus Color: Light gray to black Size: 80-120 pounds, 2.5 feet tall Appearance: broad snout, round ears, long tail |
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Coyote Species Name: Canis latrans Color: Light gray to brown Size: 20-50 pounds, 1.5 feet tall Appearance: narrow snout, pointed ears, long tail |
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Dog, Alaskan Malamute Species Name: Canis lupus familiaris Color: Gray and white or brown and white Size: 70-80 pounds, 2 feet tall Appearance: broad snout, round ears, long tail |
1. Examine the images and descriptions above.
Underline any similarities between the dog and the wolf.
Place a star ✭ next to any coyote traits that are similar to the dog.
2. Based on appearance alone, which do you think is the most closely related to a dog?
Part 2: Phylogenetic Trees
Once scientists learned how to sequence DNA, that became a great resource for determining relationships. A phylogenetic tree shown below is based on DNA evidence and similarities in appearance.
3. Branch points are called “nodes” and they indicate a more recent common ancestor from which each branch species has descended from.
- Place a box to indicate the node or common ancestor of all the fox species.
- Place a triangle to indicate the node or common ancestor of all the canis species.
4. Which two members of the canis group have the most recent common ancestor? ________________________________
5. A species name has two words, a system called BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE. The first word of a species name refers to its GENUS. For example, wolves, coyotes and dogs all belong to the genus “CANIS.”
What is the genus for the foxes? ________________________________
6. In some cases, a third name is given to the animal to indicate a SUBSPECIES.
What animal on the chart is a subspecies? _______________________________________
What is this animal's full scientific name ? _________________________________________
7. Final Synthesis: Is a dog more closely related to a coyote or to a wolf? ______________________
Provide EVIDENCE from the phylogenetic tree to support your position.
8. Extension: Is a red wolf or a domestic dog more closely related to a common fox? Use the phylogenetic tree to explain your answer.
Related Resources
Practice with Taxonomy and Classification: reinforcement activity, focuses on kingdoms and scientific names
Bear Species and DNA – activity from Learn.Genetics explores relationships between different types of bears
Snake Detection Hypothesis – study showing how humans may have evolved the ability to detect snakes
Speciation on Daphne Major (Big Birds Get No Love) – data analysis showing how the size of finch beaks changes as a result of a drought