Texas Wolf
Encyclopedia
The Texas Wolf also known as the Texas Gray Wolf, was a subspecies
of the gray wolf
, Canis lupus, that primarily roamed in Texas
and New Mexico
. The subspecies became extinct in 1942, but was merged posthumously into a taxonomic
category beneath the Mexican wolf
.
.
s Bogan and Mehlhop that the Texas Wolf be merged taxonomically under the banner of the Mexican Wolf
, as the genetic differences between the two were incredibly slim and their ranges overlapped considerably. The US Fish and Wildlife Service accepted this proposal in 1983 and merged the subspecies, removing the Texas wolf from taxonomic classifications.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the gray wolf
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
, Canis lupus, that primarily roamed in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. The subspecies became extinct in 1942, but was merged posthumously into a taxonomic
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
category beneath the Mexican wolf
Mexican Wolf
The Mexican Wolf is a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. It is native to North America, where it is the rarest and most genetically distinct subspecies.- Physical features :...
.
Description
The subspecies was described as being dark colored, with mixtures of black and grey across its entire body and light patches of cinnamon coloring on the top of its head. It measured 135–150 cm in length, and weighed 27–36 kg, very similar in size and appearance to the Mogollon Mountain WolfMogollon Mountain Wolf
The Mogollon Mountain Wolf was a subspecies of the gray wolf, Canis lupus, and primarily roamed in Arizona and New Mexico. It became extinct in 1942 and was later conglomerated under the taxonomic banner of the Mexican wolf....
.
History
It was suggested, in 1980, by biologistBiologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
s Bogan and Mehlhop that the Texas Wolf be merged taxonomically under the banner of the Mexican Wolf
Mexican Wolf
The Mexican Wolf is a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. It is native to North America, where it is the rarest and most genetically distinct subspecies.- Physical features :...
, as the genetic differences between the two were incredibly slim and their ranges overlapped considerably. The US Fish and Wildlife Service accepted this proposal in 1983 and merged the subspecies, removing the Texas wolf from taxonomic classifications.