What is the dire wolf's closest living relative? Is it the gray wolf or the African jackals?
The dire wolf (Canis dirus) was a large, extinct species of wolf that lived in North America during the Pleistocene epoch. It was closely related to the gray wolf (Canis lupus) and the African jackals (Canis mesomelas and Canis adustus). However, the dire wolf's closest living relative is the gray wolf.
The gray wolf and the dire wolf share many physical characteristics, including their large size, long legs, and bushy tails. They also have similar hunting and social behaviors. The African jackals, on the other hand, are smaller and have shorter legs and tails. They also have different hunting and social behaviors.
Genetic studies have also confirmed that the gray wolf is the dire wolf's closest living relative. A study published in the journal "Molecular Biology and Evolution" found that the gray wolf and the dire wolf shared 99.4% of their mitochondrial DNA. This indicates that the two species were very closely related.
Related Questions and Answers
- What is the scientific name for the dire wolf? Answer: Canis dirus
- Where did the dire wolf live? Answer: North America
- When did the dire wolf live? Answer: Pleistocene epoch
- What is the dire wolf's closest living relative? Answer: Gray wolf
- What is the main difference between the gray wolf and the African jackal? Answer: Size
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