Coat Colour Polymorphism and Signs of Hybridisation in Golden Jackals ( <i>Canis aureus</i> ) in Türkiye

Abstract In this study, the coat colour polymorphism in the golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) was studied on 29 specimens from 19 different localities in Türkiye. Geographically distinct coat colour variations were detected among these individuals. In addition, a jackal specimen with partially atypical morphology, which is a potential signal of jackal-wolf hybridisation, was observed in Kırklareli province in Turkish Thrace. Various biological samples of this specimen were analyzed genetically and morphologically to determine its ancestry. Our morphological evaluation, together with mitochondrial (mt) DNA nucleotide sequence BLAST results, indicated the golden jackal origin of this specimen. The coat colour polymorphism found in golden jackals in this study may indicate local adaptations specific to the locality or different phylogenetic lineages. Therefore, studies of the phylogenetic relationships of the Turkish golden jackal need to be conducted on a broad scale and incorporate mtDNA markers. Additionally, uniparental and biparental molecular markers should be used to investigate possible origins of individuals with atypical morphology, which potentially indicate genetic hybridisation of the Turkish golden jackal with other Canis species.