Genetics
The Scandinavian wolf population is semi-isolated in south-central Norway and Sweden. Since the foundation of the population in 1983, DNA samples have been collected, which contribute to an almost complete pedigree showing the wolves’ genetic relationships.
The wolf's return to the Scandinavian Peninsula began with a small number of founders and sporadic immigration events over a 30-year period. This has resulted in extensive inbreeding and genetic isolation from neighboring populations in Finland and Russia. We have identified negative effects of inbreeding on several traits that are critical for wolf reproduction. In light of both previous and new knowledge regarding the inbreeding situation within the population, we continue our studies on the effects of inbreeding and genetic diversity, the impact of immigration from nearby populations, and how carnivore management influences the average relatedness within the wolf population.