First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event
We document the first appearance of a wolf pack with black individuals in France. Black-coated wolves are excessively rare in Europe and are usually suspected of being wolf x dog hybrids. Camera trapping (CT) was used to characterize the phenotypes of the wolf pack’s grey and black wolves. We used a...
Збережено в:
| Опубліковано в: | Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii) |
|---|---|
| Дата: | 2025 |
| Том: | 59 |
| Випуск: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 2707-7268 |
| Автори та афіліації: |
|
| Автори: | , |
| Формат: | Стаття |
| Мова: | Англійська |
| Опубліковано: |
Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2025
|
| Онлайн доступ: | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/699 |
| Теги: |
Додати тег
Немає тегів, Будьте першим, хто поставить тег для цього запису!
|
| Назва журналу: | Zoodiversity |
| Завантажити файл: |
|
Репозитарії
Zoodiversity| _version_ | 1874092732827303936 |
|---|---|
| author | Roda, F. Philibert, J.-N. |
| author_facet | Roda, F. Philibert, J.-N. |
| author_institution_txt_mv | [
{
"author": "F. Roda",
"institution": "SIS Faune\/ Wild SIS, France",
"orcid": ""
},
{
"author": "J.-N. Philibert",
"institution": "Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs du Var, France",
"orcid": ""
}
] |
| author_sort | Roda, F. |
| baseUrl_str | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/oai |
| collection | OJS |
| container_end_page | |
| container_issue | 5 |
| container_start_page | |
| container_title | Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii) |
| container_volume | 59 |
| datestamp_date | 2026-08-20T12:37:07Z |
| description | We document the first appearance of a wolf pack with black individuals in France. Black-coated wolves are excessively rare in Europe and are usually suspected of being wolf x dog hybrids. Camera trapping (CT) was used to characterize the phenotypes of the wolf pack’s grey and black wolves. We used a detection dog to rapidly identify and noninvasively collect fresh wolf scats. The male wolf of the breeding pair exhibited the typical phenotype of a grey wolf, whereas the reproducing female was black-coated. Four of the six pups were black, and two were grey. Analysis of microsatellite markers, using French wolves genotypes as reference, revealed that none of the wolves were first or second generation hybrids. In accordance with previous studies, we conclude that atypical phenotypes makes it possible to suspect wolf x dog hybridization, but genetic analyses remain necessary to assign an individual canid to a genetic class. |
| doi_str_mv | 10.15407/zoo2025.05.399 |
| first_indexed | 2025-10-28T02:54:17Z |
| format | Article |
| fulltext |
DOI 10.15407/zoo2025.05.399
UDC 599.742.11:575.857(44-13)
FIRST MENTION OF A WOLF-PACK WITH
BLACK PHENOTYPES IN PROVENCE
(SAINTE-BAUME, FRANCE): GENETIC INVESTIGATION
OF A SUSPECTED HYBRIDIZATION EVENT
F. Roda *, 1, J.-N. Philibert 2
1 Wildlife Scientific Interest Society — Wild SIS/ SIS Faune, Société d’Intérêt Scientifique
pour la Faune sauvage, 757 chemin du Collet Redon, 83136 Rocbaron, France
2 Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs du Var, Place Georges Clémenceau,
21 rue de Tielt, 83170 Brignoles, France
* Corresponding author
E-mail: roda_fabrice@yahoo.fr
F. Roda (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7963-7287)
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:27DBAC96-20EB-4CA2-852E-493810DCB3D4
Fauna
and Systematics
Zoodiversity, 59(5): 399–412, 2025
© Publisher Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the NAS of Ukraine, 2025. The article is
published under an open access license CC BY-NC-ND (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by-nc-nd/4.0/)
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France):
Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event. Roda, F., Philiber, J.-N. — We doc-
ument the first appearance of a wolf pack with black individuals in France. Black-coated wolves
are excessively rare in Europe and are usually suspected of being wolf × dog hybrids. Camera
trapping (CT) was used to characterize the phenotypes of the wolf pack’s grey and black wolves.
We used a detection dog to rapidly identify and noninvasively collect fresh wolf scats. The male
wolf of the breeding pair exhibited the typical phenotype of a grey wolf, whereas the reproducing
female was black-coated. Four of the six pups were black, and two were grey. Analysis of micro-
satellite markers, using French wolves genotypes as reference, revealed that none of the wolves
were first or second generation hybrids. In accordance with previous studies, we conclude that
atypical phenotypes make it possible to suspect wolf × dog hybridisation, but genetic analyses
remain necessary to assign an individual canid to a genetic class.
Ke y words : Canis lupus, (wolf-dog) hybrid, hybridisation, large carnivore, detection dog, fae-
cal samples, camera trapping, genotype.
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
400
Practitioner Points
Black-coated wolves are excessively rare in Europe and are usually suspected of being wolf × dog
hybrids.
We used a detection dog to rapidly identify and noninvasively collect fresh wolf scats.
Analysis of microsatellite markers, using French wolves genotypes as reference, revealed that
none of the wolves were first or second generation hybrids.
Introduction
Wolves are recolonising parts of their historic range in the French Alps, following the
first official confirmation of the species return in the early 1990s in this area (Peillon
& Carbone 1993; Valière et al. 2003). In France, wolf recovery is occurring in areas
of intensive sheep breeding activity. In these regions, livestock depredation attribut-
ed to wolves can be considerable (> 12,000 heads in 2019), causing substantial eco-
nomic and social impact (Données DDT(M)-DREAL Auvergne Rhône-Alpes 2019).
The conflict over wolves is particularly prominent in areas of recent wolf recolonisa-
tion as people are unaccustomed to sheep depredation and herds are not often well
protected (Chapron et al., 2014).
Recently, wolf hybridisation has become a very hot topic in France (Reportage
France 3, 2017). Wolf × dog hybridisation occurs regularly in Europe (Vilà et al.,
2003; Godinho et al., 2011; Randi et al., 2014; Kusak et al., 2018) and 3.6% of French
wolves are F1 hybrids and an additional 7.2% are carriers of dog genes but potential-
ly with distant ancestry (Duchamp & Queney, 2018). European authorities recom-
mend eliminating wolf × dog hybrids, as introgression of dog genome in wolf popu-
lation may constitute a serious conservation concern (Council of Europe, 2014).
Based on this European recommendation, a collective of sheep farmers and politi-
cians contested the results of the wolf population monitoring carried out by the
French authorities. Wolf opponents claimed that all French wolves are hybrids (ON-
CFS, 2018); politicians proposed accordingly to eliminate them (Sénat, 2017).
In this political context, wolves with atypical phenotypes are usually suspected
of being hybrids. In general and with consensus in Europe, an atypical phenotype
may suggest the occurrence of wolf × dog hybridisation, but genetic analyses remain
necessary to reliably assign an individual canid to a genetic class (Wolf, dog or hy-
brid; Galaverni et al., 2017; Pilot et al., 2018; Donfrancesco et al., 2019). In North
America, black wolf phenotypes are common and may locally represent 50% or more
of the population (Gibson et al., 2002; Hedrick et al., 2014). In contrast to the situa-
tion in North America, the black phenotype is rare in Europe: based on sampling of
700 wolves made in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania and Bulgaria, only one wolf
was found with a black coat (W. Jedrzejewski, as reported in Apollonio at al., 2004);
in a recent study Kusak et al. (2018) showed that a few samples collected in Croatia
corresponded to black phenotypes. An exception is represented by the Italian north-
ern Apennines, where black wolves occur locally at a non-negligible frequency
(Apollonio et al., 2004; Caniglia et al., 2013). The genetic base of the black coat in
wolves is a 3 nucleotides deletion at the β-defensin gene CDB103 that could be of
domestic dog origin and therefore a signal of hybridisation (Candille et al., 2007).
According to Galaverni et al. (2017), the black coat was also found in canids with
First Mention Of A Wolf-Pack With Black Phenotypes In Provence...
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
401
genomic profiles that clustered with wolves and showed no sign of dog ancestry, so
genetic analyses are therefore needed to determine whether a black individual shows
any recent dog ancestry. From 1992 to 2016, French authorities (ONCFS, 2016) de-
tected no wolf with “atypical phenotype” (sensu Kusak et al., 2018). Between 2016
and 2019, sheepherders and game hunters reported sporadic sights of wolves with
atypical phenotypes, but there were no photographs to support these observations.
In 2019, a black female wolf was killed at “La Malle” (Alpes Maritimes) and the ex-
pertise report concluded that the canid was a wolf without any sign of dog admixture
(ONCF, 2019). This female wolf exhibited a w22 haplotype (typical from Italian
wolves), and it is likely that this female may have originated from Italian northern
Apennines.
During the summer of 2021, previously unrecorded male and female wolves
were photographed in the Sainte-Baume Regional Park. The male exhibited a typical
grey wolf phenotype, whereas the female was black-coated (Fig. 1). Because the
visual analysis of the available photographs of the female phenotype did not allow a
reliable discrimination between a wolf, a shepherd type dog or a dog x wolf hybrid,
the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs du Var placed a set of Camera traps
(CT) on the area, to monitor the wolf couple presence and identify possible repro-
duction events. In a previous study (Roda et al., 2022), CT captured no free ranging
dogs during 9 months of monitoring (or during this study), so we assumed that there
were no free ranging dogs in the Park. Thanks to the surveys, at the end of August,
in the territory of the Sainte-Baume regional Park, six young pups were detected,
four of them showing the atypical black coat (Fig. 2). Within the same litter, animals
with the typical grey wolf pattern coexisted with others with a melanic coat (Fig. 3).
This was the first time, in France, that a pack consisting of several wolves with atyp-
ical phenotypes has been identified and investigated.
Fig. 1. First photographs of the breeding adults of the Sirius Black pack. On the left the male has
a typical grey wolf colouration contrast between the dark back (1) and lighter belly and white face
mask (2). The female has a black coat and does not have a white face mask (3). The phenotype
alone of the female does not make possible to determine whether it is a wolf with atypical coat, a
shepherd type dog or a wolf × dog hybrid. © Jean-Noël Philibert
1
2
3
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
402
We used a dog trained to detect wolf scats to rapidly and non-invasively collect
fresh fecal samples for genetic analysis, and conduct a more intensive and accurate
investigation of the newly established pack, called “Sirius Black”. To avoid polemics
and allow comparisons with genotypes published by French authorities, we choose
to send our samples to ANTAGENE, the same private laboratory used by the French
Office of Biodiversity (ONCFS, 2018; Duchamp & Queney, 2018).
Fig. 2. Two pups with atypical black coats (Sirius Black pack). The black colour of the coat (1)
is uniform in these pups, there is no contrast between the back and the belly and the white face
mask (2) is absent in these pups, as in their parent female wolf. Coat may be described as “bluish
grey” (right pup) or “silver-black” (left pup). © Jean-Noël Philibert
Fig. 3. Two pups of the same litter with different phenotypes (Sirius Black pack; photograph taken
in August). The left pup has a typical grey wolf phenotype with marked contrast between back
and belly (1) and a white face mask (2). The second pup (right) has an atypical uniform black
coat. © Jean-Noël Philibert
1
2
1
2
First Mention Of A Wolf-Pack With Black Phenotypes In Provence...
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
403
Material and Methods
We used a trained detection dog to find fresh scats, following a protocol previously
described in Roda et al., 2021 and Roda et al., 2022. Briefly, the team surveyed tran-
sects that were preferably circular for logistical reasons (return to the vehicle). The
Sainte-Baume Regional Park (43°32 N; 5°83 E; https://inpn.mnhn.fr/espace/protege/
FR8000053) is home of three referenced wolf packs (Lupi, Neowise, Vega), in addi-
tion to the recently established wolf pack (Sirius Black). Wild boar abundance varies
significantly throughout the massif (Roda & Roda, 2024), with high numbers har-
vested (6.3 wild boars killed/km²/year). In contrast, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)
are scarcer (0.9 animals killed/km²/year. A small cluster of approximately 50–100
fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), has been recently intro-
duced by game managers (Krammer, 2016; Roda, 2016). Livestock animals are ab-
sent in the prospected area. The first wolf reproduction occurred in 2020 (Pou-
lard et al., 2021). The marking sites of the wolf packs are well-known (Fig. 4), have
been extensively studied (Roda et al., 2022) and individual wolves were recently ge-
netically identified (unpublished data). Twenty scat samples were collected at two
dates (26th and 30th October 2021) stored individually in a frozen sealed plastic
bags and analyzed for 22 markers. Genetic analyses were performed by a subcon-
Fig. 4. Study area, showing the territory of the four wolf packs present in the Sainte-Baume Re-
gional Park. The administrative boundaries of the Park are shown in light grey. White triangles
indicate marking sites where scats of the “Sirius Black” wolf pack were collected, black triangles
indicate marking sites of three adjacent wolf packs. Red triangles indicate marking sites at the
edge of two adjacent wolf packs (Sirius Black and Neowise) where scats were collected. Nw: Ne-
owise wolf pack; Lu: Lupi wolf pack; SB: Sirius Black wolf pack; Vg: Véga wolf pack. Marking sites
of the Lu, SB and Vg packs outside Park boundaries are not shown
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
404
tracted private laboratory (ANTAGENE, https://www.antagene.com/en). We chose
to use this laboratory because it is the one that has been used for years by the French
Office of Biodiversity in France, so that the genotypes identified in our study can
feed the database and population model of the French Office of Biodiversity. All
samples were analyzed using a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) species identification
test, as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multitube approach based on 22
micro-satellite markers: AHT103, AHT111, AHTk211, CPH02, C09.173, CPH05,
CFX30371, CXX.279, FH2161, FH2054, Dbar1, REN162C04, FH2010 & C27.442
(Godinho et al., 2015); FH2096, FH2088, FH2004, FH2140 & FH2137 (Francisco et
al., 1996), C09.250 (Ostrander et al., 1993), PEZ17 (Neff et al., 1999), INU030 (Ji et
al., 2007) and one sex-specific marker for individual gender identification (AMEL, Ji
et al., 2007). Extraction methods, PCR protocols and individual identification proce-
dure as well as genotype reliability testing are described in detail in Valière et al.,
2003. A quality index (QI) was calculated for each sample by comparing each repli-
cate genotype on each marker to the consensus genotype (Miquel et al., 2006). The
QI were then averaged over all repeats for each locus, and then over all loci for an
individual to obtain a QI per sample.
To assign individual genetic profiles to their taxon (wolf, dog), a Bayesian clus-
tering approach was implemented. The computer program STRUCTURE v.3.4
(Pritchard et al., 2000; Falush et al., 2003) was used to cluster individuals according
to their species with the admixture model, correlated alleles frequencies and prior on
reference populations (POPINFO = 1), with a burn-in of 100,000 and 500,000 itera-
tions of the MCMC chain. Twenty repetitions were performed with the number of
cluster K set on 2 and probabilities and credibility intervals were averaged over the
20 repeats. As references, ANTAGENE included in the analysis domestic dogs
(breeds and village dogs) and grey wolves from the French population. Hybrids were
detected based on the assignment probabilities obtained with STRUCTURE (Bohling
& Waits, 2011). Individuals whom 95% credibility interval encompassed either 0 or
1 were considered as individuals with no-admixture and the remaining individuals
were considered as hybrids. All the genetic procedures and analyses are detailed in
Supplementary Material S1.
The genotypes obtained in this study were compared with those from the Data-
base of the French Office of Biodiversity to examine the genetic proximity of Sirius
Black wolves with other French wolves. For this analysis (different from the analysis
with STRUCTURE provided by the ANTAGENE laboratory, as the data used by
ANTAGENE are not freely available) we used the dataset freely provided in Duchamp
& Queney (2018), ONCFS (2019) and OFB (2021) for comparison purpose. The
sample size consisted of 41 dogs genotypes, seventeen F1 wolf-dog hybrids geno-
types, 62 back-cross genotypes and 579 wolf genotypes (OFB, 2021).
Camera trapping was simultaneously conducted in the “Neowise” and “Sirius
black” wolf pack territory from 1 June 2021 to 1 January 2022, using 5 cameras. CT
use allowed characterising wolf phenotypes. Remote motion-activated cameras were
placed on forest roads used by wolves. Each camera trap was active 24 h day-1, 7 days
week-1, and was visited by observers at variable intervals (from 2 to 20 days) in order
to change batteries and SD cards. All cameras were provided with a passive infrared
sensor and LED flash.
First Mention Of A Wolf-Pack With Black Phenotypes In Provence...
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
405
The supplementary material (S1: Methods and S2: Genotypes) can be downloaded
on the Figshare repository: https://figshare.com/ndownloader/files/51849224.
Results
Wolf phenotypes
CT allowed to regularly capturing images of wolves of the two adjacent wolf packs
(Sirius Black and Neowise). Good quality photographs allowed characterising the
phenotypes aging-changes of black individuals. As they aged, the young’s black coat
thinned lightly, displaying a palette of colours between dark silver and grey-blue
black. An important contrast appeared between the colour inside the legs (beige as
in the typical grey wolves) and the rest of the coat much darker. The belly was also
lighter than the back, tending towards beige or red (Fig. 5).
Genet ic results
A total of 20 putative wolf scats samples were detected and collected, 17 in the Sirius
Black pack area and three at the edge of the territory with Neowise pack. Eighteen
(90%) genotypes out of the 20 analyzed scats were assigned to the grey wolf species
(mean posterior probability of 0.998; standard error: 0.001); the two last samples
were of very poor quality and no species could be identified. Fourteen samples (70%)
resulted in reliable multilocus genotypes (see Supplementary Material S2). Seven
different wolves were identified. The three samples found at the edge of the Sirius
Black/Neowise territory were recaptures of two previously known wolves, the dom-
inant female and male from the adjacent Neowise pack. All other genotypes (11 out
of 14) were identified as belonging to five previously unknown wolves from the new
Fig. 5. Two photographs showing young wolves that have reached their adult size (Sirius Black
pack). Despite the overall appearance of atypical black coat, there is (1) a difference in colour be-
tween the back (darker) and the belly (lighter, tending toward beige/red). Adult individuals have
(2) no white facial mask; the inside of their legs is (3) beige as individuals with the characteristic
grey wolf phenotype (compare with Figures 3 and 4). © Frédéric Gervais
2
2
3
1
1
3
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
406
Sirius Black pack. All haplotypes were already known. Association between cam-
era-trap data and scat genotyping allowed identifying the dominant individuals and
the pups. In particular, four samples were identified as belonging to the dominant
male and two samples to the dominant female of the Sirius Black. The last 5 samples
(out of 14) were identified as belonging to three pups of Sirius Black pack (Table 1).
Analyses did not reveal any recent hybridisation (F1 or F2). No samples were associ-
ated with a domestic dog breed (Canis lupus familiaris). The genotype of the Sirius
Black pack’s black-coated reproducing female was very close related to that of anoth-
er black female wolf legally killed in the French Alps (ONCFS, 2019; see Supplemen-
tary Material S2).
Discussion
The appearance of black wolves in the Provence region highlights the issue of wolf ×
dog hybridisation in France. The “black coat” phenotype association with hybridisa-
tion has been confirmed in a recent genomic study by Caniglia et al. (2013) conduct-
ed in neighbouring Italy, in accordance with previous hypotheses derived from
North American wolves suggesting the ancient introduction of dog genome around
the genomic region of the β-defensin gene (Anderson et al., 2009). This phenotype is
likely a signal of dog-derived genetic introgression in the wolf gene pool. Other stud-
ies found black-coated individuals to be genetically wolves (Galaverni et al., 2017).
One must keep in mind that our results don’t show that black wolves are not hybrids,
but that they are not first or second-generation hybrids. The interpretation of data
results is greatly sensitive to the sample size of the dog and wolf populations used as
reference (see the discussion in Harmoinen et al., 2021; Vik Stronen et al., 2022). In
this study, we used the database of French wolves, free-ranging dogs and hybrids
provided by the French Office of Biodiversity (OFB, 2021). The methodology used in
our study doesn’t allow reliable discrimination of backcrosses hybrids from non-ad-
Table 1 . Summary of genetic results
Identifi-
cation Wolfpack Sexe Status Nb.
samples QI Assign-
ment
Haplo-
type P wolf <Cl95 >Cl95
Neo 01 Neowise XY Dominant 1 0.82 Wolf w22 0.999 0.985 1.000
Neo 02 Neowise XX Dominant 2 0.98 Wolf w22 0.998 0.978 1.000
SB01 Sirius Black XY Dominant 4 0.93 Wolf w22 0.999 0.986 1.000
SB02 Sirius Black XX Dominant 2 0.96 Wolf w22 0.998 0.972 1.000
SB03 Sirius Black XY Pup 1 0.66 Wolf w22 0.999 0.983 1.000
SB04 Sirius Black XX Pup 2 0.99 Wolf w22 0.995 0.930 1.000
SB05 Sirius Black XY Pup 2 0.95 Wolf w22 0.999 0.985 1.000
Note . Identification: name of each individual wolf. nb. samples: number of genetic scat samples
found for each individual wolf. QI: quality index of the sample. If more than one sample available
for each individual wolf, the best QI value is shown. Hybridization: hybridization diagnostic (see
methods); no hybrids found in this study. Haplotype: haplotype diagnostic. All wolves were from
italo-alpine lineage (haplotype w22, sensu Pilot et al., 2010). P wolf: assignment probabilities
obtained with STRUCTURE (Bohling & Waits, 2011). < CI95: inferior 95% credibility interval. >
CI95: superior credibility interval.
First Mention Of A Wolf-Pack With Black Phenotypes In Provence...
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
407
mixed wolves (VonHoldt et al., 2013); this assertion makes consensus in Europe
(Duchamp & Queney, 2018; Pilot et al., 2018). In other words, the dog origin of this
(black) phenotype is sufficient to suspect a hybridisation event but a genetic assess-
ment is necessary to assign an individual to a wolf or hybrid class; and the timeline
on which the dog genome introgression occurred remains speculative beyond the
two first generations. This suggests that the hybridisation event originated several
generations in the past and most of the dog-derived alleles in such individuals have
been lost, resulting in wolf genetic profile without admixture (Galaverni et al., 2017;
Pilot et al., 2018). An analysis of recent data (2008–2018 periods) shows that hybrid-
isation events in France occurred in three hotspots in the French Alps: one in Tinée,
another in Maurienne and the last in Vercors (Duchamp & Queney, 2018). Wolves
colonised France from neighbouring Italy as a consequence of the range expansion
of the Italian population (Fabbri et al., 2007; Ciucci et al., 2009). Until recently, there
were no black-coated wolves in France so it seems reasonable to hypothesise that the
apparition of this phenotype in Provence is a consequence of gene flow originating
from Italy; alternatively, it is possible that the hybridisation event occurred relatively
recently in the French Alps. Black coat diffusion could be explained by strong posi-
tive selection and very rapid adaptations related to habitat (Caniglia et al., 2013) or
immunity (Cubaynes et al., 2022), or both.
As a by-product of our study, we note that the combination of CT and use of
detection dog to collect non-invasive wolf samples allow to rapidly and efficiently
perform a genetic investigation of suspected hybridisation events, and conduct mon-
itoring projects on wild and elusive species, like wolf. The combination of remote
sensing and genetic analysis of non-invasive biological material is not new. In most
cases the two methods are run in parallel to collect as much data as possible (Karanth
et al., 2006; Mattioli et al., 2018). The analysis of scats produced by visually identifi-
able individuals has the potential to give full details on the structure of local packs
and on the nature of breeding pairs (Canu et al., 2017). In our study, we obtained the
genetic samples in two half days of field work thanks to the use of the detection dog.
In a context of strong tensions related to the hot topic of hybridisation in France,
speed to achieve results is fundamental. Indeed, the French Ministry of the Environ-
ment noted in a recent report that genetic results must be shared quickly; otherwise
some actors will continue to confuse the public with fake news (Rapport CGED/
CGAAER, 2019).
In conclusion, this study is the first to detail black-coated wolf phenotypes in
France. Genetic analyzes suggest that all the sampled canids were wolves without any
sign of dog admixture; or alternatively that dog genome was too diluted to be detect-
able. During the 2021–2022 winters all the young wolves with black phenotypes dis-
persed. There was no reproduction in summer 2022 in the Sirius Black wolf-pack,
but a new wolf-pack including pups with black phenotypes was established during
summer 2022 at 60 km of the Sainte-Baume area. The genetic monitoring of these
black-coated wolves and their offspring is of scientific interest and will inform on the
gene flow in French wild wolves populations. As a byproduct of our study, we con-
clude that a combination of CT and dog surveys to collect DNA samples is a good
tool to rapidly respond to situations of urgency concerning suspicion of hybridisa-
tion events.
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
408
Acknowledgements. A special thanks to the Fédération Départementale des
Chasseurs du Var which financed the camera traps and funded genetic analyses: this
study could not have occurred without its logistical and financial support. The detec-
tion dog Newt was initially trained (by F. Roda) and used for three years by the
French Office of Biodiversity; so here we are particularly grateful to the French Of-
fice of Biodiversity without which a part of this work would not have been possible.
The ANTAGENE laboratory developed and validated the panel of 22 microsatellites
and sex determination markers and set up the statistical analysis methodology We
thank Frédéric Gervais who freely provided good quality photographs of the Sirius
Black wolf-pack. We thank Gaetan Ayache and the Sainte-Baume Regional Park that
furnished cartographic help. We thank Alice Cheylan for reviewing and editing the
English version. We are grateful to Gilles Cheylan who reviewed an early draft of this
manuscript. We are especially grateful to the anonymous reviewers who helped to
improve this manuscript. And of course, we thank “Newt des Gardiens de Cendril-
lon”: Good dog, good job!
Ethic statements. All authors agree with the contents of the manuscript and its
submission to the journal. Neither the manuscript nor any parts of its contents are
currently under consideration or published in another journal. All authors disclose
any potential conflict of interest with other people or organizations that could inap-
propriately influence their work. The Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs du
Var financed the camera traps and funded genetic analyses.
Data availability. The data supporting this study’s findings will be available in
the Figshare Digital Repository.
Author contribution: Fabrice Roda: Conceptualization (lead), Formal analysis
(lead), Field investigation (equal), Methodology (equal), Resources (supporting),
Writing original draft (lead), Writing –review and editing (lead). Jean-Noël Philib-
ert: Field investigation (equal), Methodology (equal), Resources (lead), Writing
original draft (supporting).
Supplementary Material
S1: Methods
S2: Genotypes
(Supplementary Material: https://figshare.com/ndownloader/files/51849224)
REFERENCES
Anderson, T. M., Vonholdt, B. M., Candille, S. I., Musiani, M., Greco, C., Stahler, D. R.,
Smith, D. W., Padhukasahasran, B., Randi, E., Leonard, J. A., Bustamante, C. D., Ostran
der, E. A., Tang, H., Wayne, R. K. & Barsh, G. S. 2009. Molecular and evolutionary history
of melanism in North American gray wolves. Science, 323, 1339–1343.
Apollonio, M., Mattioli, L. & Scandura, M. 2004. Occurrence of black wolves in the Northern
Apennines, Italy. Acta Theriologica, 49 (2), 281–285.
Bohling, J. H., & Waits, L. P. 2011. Assessing the prevalence of hybridization between sympatric
Canis species surrounding the red wolf (Canis rufus) recovery area in North Carolina.
Molecular Ecology, 20 (10), 2142–2156.
First Mention Of A Wolf-Pack With Black Phenotypes In Provence...
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
409
Candille, S. I., Kaelin, C. B., Cattanach, B. M., Yu, B., Thompson, D. A., Nix, M. A., Kerns, J. A.,
Schmutz, S. M., Milhauser, G. L. & Barsh, G. S. 2007. A β-defensin mutation causes black
coat color in domestic dogs. Science, 318, 1418–1423.
Caniglia, R., Fabbri, E., Greco, C., Galaverni, M., Manghi, L., Boitani, L., Sforzi, A. & Randi E.
2013. Black coats in an admixed wolf + dog pack is melanism an indicator of hybridization
in wolves? Eur J Wildl Res., 59, 543–555.
Canu, A., Mattioli, L., Santini, A., Apollonio, M. & Scandura, M. 2017. “Video-scats”: combining
camera trapping and non-invasive genotyping to assess individual identity and hybrid
status in gray wolf. Wildlife biology, 1. Doi:10.2981/wlb.00355
Chapron, G., Kaczensky, P., Linnell, J. D. C., Arx, von, M., Huber, D., Andrén, H., López-
Bao, J.V., Adamec, M., Álvares, F., Anders, O., Balčiauskas, L., Balys, V., Bedő, P., Bego, F.,
Blanco, J.C., Breitenmoser, U., Brøseth, H., Bufka, L., Bunikyte, R., Ciucci, P., Dutsov, A.,
Engleder, T., Fuxjäger, C., Groff, C., Holmala, K., Hoxha, B., Iliopoulos, Y., Ionescu, O.,
Jeremić, J., Jerina, K., Kluth, G., Knauer, F., Kojola, I., Kos, I., Krofel, M., Kubala, J.,
Kunovac, S., Kusak, J., Kutal, M., Liberg, O., Majić, A., Männil, P., Manz, R., Marboutin, E.,
Marucco, F., Melovski, D., Mersini, K., Mertzanis, Y., Mysłajek, R. W., Nowak, S., Odden, J.,
Ozolins, J., Palomero, G., Paunović, M., Persson, J., Potočnik, H., Quenette, P.-Y., Rauer, G.,
Reinhardt, I., Rigg, R., Ryser, A., Salvatori, V., Skrbinšek, T., Stojanov, A., Swenson, J. E.,
Szemethy, L., Trajçe, A., Tsingarska-Sedefcheva, E., Váňa, M., Veeroja, R., Wabakken, P.,
Wölfl, M., Wölfl, S., Zimmermann, F., Zlatanova, D. & Boitani, L. 2014. Recovery of large
carnivores in Europe’s modern human-dominated landscapes. Science, 346, 1517–1519.
doi:10.1126/science.1257553
Ciucci, O., Reggioni, W., Maiorano, L. & Boitani, L. 2009. Long-distance dispersal of a rescued
wolf from the northern Apennines to the western Alps. J. Wildlife Management, 73 (8),
1300–1306.
Council of Europe. 2014. Recommandation n°173 du Comité permanent, adoptée le 5 décembre
2014, sur les croisements entre les Loups gris sauvages (Canis lupus) et les chiens domestique
(Canis lupus familiaris). https://rm.coe.int/1680746989
Cubaynes, S., Brandell, E. E., Stahler, D. R., Smith, D. W., Almberg, E. S., Schindler, S., Wayne, R. K.,
Dobson, A. P., VonHoldt, B. M., MacNulty, D. R., Cross, P. C., Hudson, P. J. & Coulson, T.
2022. Disease outbreaks select for mate choice and coat color in wolves. Science, 378, 300–
303. DOI: 10.1126/science.abi8745
Données DDT(M)-DREAL Auvergne Rhône Alpes. 2019. Données sur les dommages:
comparatif 2017–2018–2019. http://www.auvergne-rhone-alpes.developpement-durable.
gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/20200327_donnees_dommages_2019.pdf
Donfrancesco, V., Ciucci, P., Salvatori, V., Benson, D., Andersen, L.W., Bassi, E., Blanco, J.C.,
Boitani, L., Caniglia, R., Canu, A., Capitani, C., Chapron, G., Czarnomska, S.D., Fabbri, E.,
Galaverni, M., Galov, A., Gimenez, O., Godinho, R., Greco, C., Hindrikson, M., Hu-
ber, D., Hulva, P., Jedrzejewski, W., Kusak, J., Linnell, J. D. C., Llaneza, L., Lopez-Bao, J. V.,
Mänill, P., Marucco, F., Mattioli, L., Milanesi, P., Milleret, C., Myslajek, R. W., Ordiz, A.,
Palacios, V., Pedersen, H. C., Pertoldi, C., Pilot, M., Randi, E., Rodriguez, A., Saarma, U.,
Sand, H., Scandura, M., Stronen, A. V., Tsingarska, E. & Mukherjee, N. 2019. Unravel-
ling the scientific debate on how to address Wolf-Dog hybridization in Europe. Front. Ecol.
Evol., 7, 175. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2019.00175.
Duchamp, C. & Queney G. 2018. Le suivi génétique des loups en 2018. Bilan de la 1ère année de
mise en œuvre du nouveau marché public. 1–19. https://www.loupfrance.fr/wp-content/
uploads/LE-SUIVI-GENETIQUE-DES-LOUPS-EN-2018_201903.pdf
Fabri, E., Miquel, C., Lucchini, V., Santini,A., Caniglia, R., Duchamps, C., Weber, J-M., Lequet
te, B., Marucco, F., Boitani, L., Fumagalli, L., Taberlet, P. & Randi, E. 2007. From the Apen-
nines to the Alps: colonization genetics of the naturally expanding Italian wolf (Canis lupus)
population. Molecular Ecology, 16, 1661–1671.
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
410
Falush, D., Stephens, M. & Pritchard, J. K. 2003. Inference of population structureusing
multilocus genotype data: linked loci and correlated allele frequencies. Genetics, 164,
1567–1587.
Francisco, L. V., Langston, A. A., Mellersh, C. S., Neal, C. L. & Ostrander, E. A. 1996. A class of
highly polymorphic tetranucleotide repeats for canine genetic mapping. Mammalian ge-
nome : official journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society, 7 (5), 359–362.
Galaverni, M., Caniglia, R., Pagani, L., Fabbri, E., Boattini, A. & Randi, E. 2017. Disentangling
timing admixture, patterns of introgression, and phenotypic indicators in a hybridizing
wolf population. Mol. Biol. Evol., 34 (9), 2324–2339.
Gibson, P. S., Bangs, E. E., Bailey, T. N., Boyd, D. K., Cluff, H. D., Smith, D. W. & Jiminez, M. D.,
2002. Color patterns among wolves in Western North America. Wildlife Bulletin Society, 30
(3), 821–830.
Godinho, R., Llaneza, L., Blanco, J. C., Lopes, S., Álvares, F., García, E. J., Palacios, V., Cortés, Y.,
Telegon, J. & Ferrand, N. 2011. Genetic evidence for multiple events of hybridization
between wolves and domestic dogs in the Iberian Peninsula. Mol. Ecol. 20, 5154–5166. doi:
10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05345.x
Godinho, R., López-Bao, J. V., Castro, D., Llaneza, L., Lopes, S., Silva, P. & Ferrand, N. 2015.
Real-time assessment of hybridization between wolves and dogs: combining noninvasive
samples with ancestry informative markers. Molecular ecology resources, 15 (2), 317–328.
Harmoinen, J., von Thaden, A., Aspi, J., Kvist, L., Cocchiararo, B., Jarausch, A., Gazzola, A.,
Sin, T., Lohi, H., Hytonen, M. K., Kojola, I., Vik Stronen, A., Caniglia, R., Mattucci, F.,
Galaverni, M., Godinho, R., Ruiz-Gonzalez, A., Randi, E., Munoz-Fuentes, V. & Nowak, C.
2021. Reliable wolf-dog hybrid detection in Europe using a reduced SNP panel developed
for non-invasively collected samples. BMC Genomics, 22, 473.
Hedrick, P. W., Stahler, D. R. & Dekker, D. 2014. Heterozygote advantage in a finite population:
black color in wolves. Journal of heredity, 105 (4), 457–465.
Ji, H., Kim, E. H., Lee, K. K., Kang, T. Y., Lee, J. M., Shin, H. D., & Kim, L. H. 2007. Beagle dogs
parentage testing by using 22 ISAG microsatellite markers. Korean Journal of Veterinary
Research, 47 (4), 457–460.
Karanth, K. U., Nichols, J. D., Kumar, N. S. & Hines, J. E. 2006. Assessing tiger population
dynamics using photographic capture-recapture sampling. Ecology, 87, 2925–2937. doi :10.
1890/0012-9658(2006)87[2925 :ATPDUP]2.0.CO ;2
Krammer, M. 2016. Le Daim européen. Biotope, Mèze, 210–211.
Kusak, J., Fabbri, E., Galov, A., Gomerčić, T., Arbanasić, H., Caniglia, R., Galaverni M., Reljic, S.,
Huber, D. & Randi, E. 2018. Wolf-dog hybridization in Croatia. Vet. Arh., 88, 375–395. doi:
10.24099/vet.arhiv.170314
Mattioli, L., Canu, A., Passilongo, D., Scandura, M. & Apollonio, M. 2018. Estimation of pack
density in grey wolf (Canis lupus) by applying spatial explicit capture-recapture models to
camera trap data supported by genetic monitoring. Frot Zool, 15, 38. Doi:10.1186/s12983-
018-0281-x
Miquel, C., Bellemain, E., Poillot, C., Bessière, J., Durand, A. & Taberlet, P. 2006. Quality indexes
to assess the reliability of genotypes in studies using noninvasive sampling and multiple-
tube approach. Molecular Ecology Notes, 6, 985–988.
Neff, M. W., Broman, K. W., Mellersh, C. S., Ray, K., Acland, G. M., Aguirre, G. D., Ziegle, J. S.,
Ostrander, E. A. & Rine, J. 1999. A second-generation genetic linkage map of the domestic
dog, Canis familiaris. Genetics, 151 (2), 803–820.
OFB. 2021. Flash n°14. Flash données génétiques. https://www.loupfrance.fr/wp-content/
uploads/FLASH_DONNEES_GENETIQUES_2021.pdf
ONCFS. 2016. Observations de loups noirs : des informations un peu obscures ! Bulletin du
Réseau Loup n°34. https://www.loupfrance.fr/pdf/Bulletin-Reseau-Loup-2016-N34_loup.
noir;fiabilite;hybridation.pdf
First Mention Of A Wolf-Pack With Black Phenotypes In Provence...
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
411
ONCFS. 2018. Hybridation de la population de loups en France : l’ONCFS assume les méthodes
avec lesquelles il travaille. Communiqué de presse. https://www.loupfrance.fr/wp-content/
uploads/Communiqué-de-presse-03-07-2018-Hybridation-de-la-population-de-loups-en-
France-l’ONCFS-assume-les-méthodes-avec-lesquelles-il-travaille.pdf
ONCFS. 2019. Rapport d’expertise. https://www.loupfrance.fr/wp-content/uploads/expertise-_
Genet_D0619010_def.pdf
ONCFS. 2020. Rapport d’expertise. https://www.loupfrance.fr/wp-content/uploads/Rapport-
expertise-génétique-OFB-dépouille-Montmeyran-8.08.2019.pdf
Ostrander, E. A., Sprague, G. F. & Rine, J. 1993. Identification and characterization of
dinucleotide repeat (CA) n markers for genetic mapping in dog. Genomics, 16,
207–213.
Peillon, A. & Carbone, G. 1993. Bienvenue aux loups. Terre Sauvage, 73, 23–43.
Pilot, M., Greco, C., VonHoldt, B. M., Randi E., Jedrzejewski, W., Sidorovich, V. E., Konopins
ki, M. K., Ostrander, E. A. & Wayne, R. K. 2018. Widespread, long-term admixture between
grey wolves and domestic dogs across Eurasia and its implications for the conservation
status of hybrids. Evolutionary applications, 11, 662–680.
Pilot, M., Branicki, W., Jedrzejewski, W., Goszczynski, J., Jedrzejewska, B., Dykyv, I., Shkvy
rya, M. & Tsingarska, E. 2010. Phylogeographic history of the grey wolves in Europe. BMC
Evolutionary Biology, 10, 104, 1–11.
Poulard, F., Dietrich, R., Nasi, N. & Roda, F. 2021. Suivi d’une meute de loups au Coeur de la
Provenceà l’aide d’un chien de detection et de pièges photographiques: predation, utilization
de l’espace, et comportement de marquage par les loups en function des saisons. Faune
PACA Publication, 108, 1–27 + Annexes.
Pritchard, J. K., Stephens, M. & Donelly, P. 2000. Inference of population structure using
multilocus genotype data. Genetics, 155, 945–959.
Randi, E., Hulva, P., Fabbri, E., Galaverni, M., Galov, A., Kusak, J., Bigi, D., Bolfıkova, B. C.,
Smetanova, M. & Caniglia, R. 2014. Multilocus detection of wolf × dog hybridization in
italy, and guidelines for marker selection. PLoS One 9:e86409.
Rapport CGEDD/CGAAER. 2019. Rapport CGEDD n°012414-P, CGAAER n°18097.
Le loup et les activités d’élevage: comparaison européenne dans le cadre du plan
national d’action 2018/2023. https://www.vie-publique.fr/sites/default/files/rapport/
pdf/271785.pdf
Reportage France 3, 2017. Reportage France 3 des publications des résultats des analyses AND de
loups. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRGF1L2BlIg
Roda, F. 2016. Le Cerf élaphe. In: LPO PACA, GECEM & GCP. Les mammifères de Provence-
Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Biotope, Mèze, 206–207.
Roda, F., Sentilles, J., Molins, C., Duchamp, C., Hansen, É. & Jean, N., 2021. Wolf scat detection
dog improves wolf genetic monitoring in new French colonized areas. Journal of Vertebrate
Biology, 69 (3).
Roda, F., Poulard, F., Ayache, G., Nasi, N., D’Antuoni, C., Mathieu, R. & Cheylan, G. 2022. How
do seasonal changes in adult wolf defecation patterns affect scat detection probabilities.
Journal of Vertebrate Biology, 71 (22043), 22043. 1–12.
Roda, F. & Roda, J. M., 2024. Signs of foraging by wild boar as an indicator to monitor wild boar
impact on ground nesting birds. Journal of vertebrate Biology, 73 (23103), 1–16.
Sénat, 2017. Question écrite n°02075 de mme Martine Berthet (Savoie–Les Républicains).
Journal Officiel du Sénat du 16/11/2017. 3558. https://www.senat.fr/questions/base/2017/
qSEQ171102075.html
Valière, N., Fumagalli, L., Gielly, L., Miquel, C., Lequette, B., Poulle, M. L., Weber, J. M.,
Arlettaz, R. & Taberlet, P. 2003. Long-distance wolf recolonization of France and
Switerland inferred from non-invasive genetic sampling over a period of 10 years.
Animal conservation, 6, 83–92.
F. Roda & J.-N. Philibert
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2025. Vol. 59, No. 5
412
Vik Stronen, A., Aspi, J., Caniglia, R., Fabbri, E., Galaverni, M., Godinho, R., Kvist, L., Mattucci, F.,
Nowak, C., von Thaden, A. & Harmoinen, J. 2022. Wolf-dog admixture highlights the need
for methodological standards and multidisciplinary cooperation for effective governance of
wild x domestic hybrids. Biological Conservation, 266, 109467.
Vilà, C., Walker, C., Sundqvist, A.-K., Flagstad, Ø., Andersone, Z., Casulli, A., Casulli A.,
Valdmann H., Halverson, J. & Hellegren H. 2003. Combined use of maternal, paternal and
bi-parental genetic markers for the identification of wolf–dog hybrids. Heredity, 90, 17–24.
doi: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800175
VonHoldt, B. M., Pollinger, J. P., Earl, D. A., Parker, H. G., Ostrander, E. A. & Wayne, R. K. 2013.
Identification of recent hybridization between gray wolves and domesticated dogs by SNP
genotyping. Mamm Genome, 24, 80–88.
Received 30 September 2024
Accepted 21 October 2025
|
| id | oai:ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua:article-699 |
| institution | Zoodiversity |
| issn | 2707-7268 |
| keywords_txt_mv | |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-08-21T01:01:45Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| record_format | ojs |
| resource_txt_mv | ojsakademperiodykaorgua/39/5ae6e2c4e8bb401dc18587ffc8497339.pdf |
| spelling | oai:ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua:article-6992026-08-20T12:37:07Z First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event Roda, F. Philibert, J.-N. Canis lupus (wolf-dog) hybrid hybridisation large carnivore detection dog faecal samples camera trapping genotype We document the first appearance of a wolf pack with black individuals in France. Black-coated wolves are excessively rare in Europe and are usually suspected of being wolf x dog hybrids. Camera trapping (CT) was used to characterize the phenotypes of the wolf pack’s grey and black wolves. We used a detection dog to rapidly identify and noninvasively collect fresh wolf scats. The male wolf of the breeding pair exhibited the typical phenotype of a grey wolf, whereas the reproducing female was black-coated. Four of the six pups were black, and two were grey. Analysis of microsatellite markers, using French wolves genotypes as reference, revealed that none of the wolves were first or second generation hybrids. In accordance with previous studies, we conclude that atypical phenotypes makes it possible to suspect wolf x dog hybridization, but genetic analyses remain necessary to assign an individual canid to a genetic class. Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 2025-08-11 Article Article application/pdf https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/699 10.15407/zoo2025.05.399 Zoodiversity; Vol. 59 No. 5 (2025): Zoodiversity Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii); Том 59 № 5 (2025): Zoodiversity 2707-7268 2707-725X 10.15407/zoo2025.05 en https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/699/338 Copyright (c) 2025 Fabrice Roda, Jean-Noel Philibert |
| spellingShingle | Roda, F. Philibert, J.-N. First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event |
| title | First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event |
| title_full | First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event |
| title_fullStr | First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event |
| title_full_unstemmed | First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event |
| title_short | First Mention of a Wolf-Pack with Black Phenotypes in Provence (Sainte-Baume, France): Genetic Investigation of a Suspected Hybridization Event |
| title_sort | first mention of a wolf-pack with black phenotypes in provence (sainte-baume, france): genetic investigation of a suspected hybridization event |
| topic_facet | Canis lupus (wolf-dog) hybrid hybridisation large carnivore detection dog faecal samples camera trapping genotype |
| url | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/699 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rodaf firstmentionofawolfpackwithblackphenotypesinprovencesaintebaumefrancegeneticinvestigationofasuspectedhybridizationevent AT philibertjn firstmentionofawolfpackwithblackphenotypesinprovencesaintebaumefrancegeneticinvestigationofasuspectedhybridizationevent |