Florida black wolf explained

The Florida black wolf (Canis rufus floridanus),^[1] also known as the Florida wolf and the black wolf,^[2] is an extinct subspecies of red wolf^[3] that was endemic to Florida.

Species controversy

This wolf is recognized as a subspecies of Canis lupus in the taxonomic authority Mammal Species of the World (2005).^[3]

Currently, this canid is widely considered to be a subspecies of the red wolf Canis rufus^[4] and that a variation in the red wolf's coloring led to the creation of the Florida black wolf.^[5] It was believed by one author that instead of being a subspecies of the red wolf, it was actually a type of coyote.^[6]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Canis rufus floridanus Miller, 1912. Catalogue of Life. December 12, 2022.
2. Book: Wrobel, Murray. Elsevier's Dictionary of Mammals: In Latin, English, German, French and Italian. Elsevier. November 18, 2006. 72. 978-0-444518774.
3. url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgAMbNSt8ikC&pg=PA576
4. Book: Eriksen, John. Brevard County, Florida: A Short History to 1955. B076H69FDW. October 20, 2017.
5. Book: Denny, Lois. Alsatian Shepalute's: A New Breed For A New Millennium. August 2004 . AuthorHouse. 42. 978-1418439224.
6. Book: Standard Handbook of Environmental Science, Health, and Technology. Jay H.. Lehr. Janet K.. Lehr. McGraw-Hill. August 17, 2000. 6. 978-0070383098.