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The northwestern wolf, ''Canis lupus occidentalis'', also known as the Mackenzie Valley wolf〔 or northern timber wolf〔 is a subspecies of gray wolf in western North America. It ranges from the upper Mackenzie River Valley, southward into central Alberta.〔Mech, L. David (1981), ''The Wolf: The Ecology and Behaviour of an Endangered Species'', University of Minnesota Press, p. 352, ISBN 0-8166-1026-6〕 Along with ''C. l. nubilus'', ''C. l. occidentalis'' is the most widespread member of the five gray wolf subspecies in North America, with at least six different synonyms. The subspecies was first written of by Scottish naturalist Sir John Richardson in 1829. He chose to give it the name ''occidentalis'' in reference to its geographic location rather than label it by its color, as it was too variable to warrant such.〔Richardson, J. (1829) ''Fauna boreali-americana, or, The zoology of the northern parts of British America'', London : J. Murray (), pp. 60-65〕 Phylogenetic analyses of North American gray wolves show that there are three clades corresponding to ''C. l. occidentalis'', ''C. l. nubilus'' and ''C. l. baileyi'', each one representing a separate invasion into North America from distinct Eurasian ancestors. ''C. l. occidentalis'', the most northwestern subspecies, is descended from the last gray wolves to colonize North America. It likely crossed into North America through the Bering land bridge after the last ice age, displacing ''C. l. nubilus'' populations as it advanced, a process which has continued till present times.〔 The northwestern wolf has been responsible for a few, but notable attacks on humans, with at least two fatal attacks in the 21st century in which both victims were partially eaten: in 2005, a man was killed in Saskatchewan, Canada,〔McNay, M. E. (2007) "A Review of Evidence and Findings Related to the Death of Kenton Carnegie on 8 November 2005 Near Points North, Saskatchewan". Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, Alaska.〕 while in 2010, a woman was killed while jogging near Chignik Lake in Alaska.〔Butler, L., B. Dale, K. Beckmen, and S. Farley. 2011.(Findings Related to the March 2010 Fatal Wolf Attack near Chignik Lake, Alaska ). Wildlife Special Publication, ADF&G/DWC/WSP-2011-2. Palmer, Alaska.〕 ==Description== Northwestern wolves are one of the largest subspecies of wolves with grown males weighing between 100 and 135 pounds (45–61 kg) in British Columbia.〔(Table listing the 1996 Northwestern wolves introduced into Idaho ). Forwolves.org (2002-11-01). Retrieved on 2012-12-29.〕 The adult males of this subspecies average in Alberta. and in Yukon. The heaviest recorded specimen was killed on 70 Mile River in east-central Alaska on July 12, 1939 and weighed .〔Lopez, Barry H. (1978). ''Of Wolves and Men''. J. M. Dent and Sons Limited. p. 18. ISBN 0-7432-4936-4.〕 Sir John Richardson described the northwestern wolf as having a more robust build than the European wolf, with a larger, rounder head and a thicker, more obtuse muzzle. Its ears are also shorter, and its fur bushier.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Northwestern wolf」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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