Coyotes that dwell in New England and Appalachia are approximately 82 percent coyote dna, 9 percent dog dna, and 9 percent wolf dna.
The larger size of the eastern coyotes (compared to the western coyote) is thought to be a result of their rich diet and because they are roughly comprised of 10 percent wolf dna.
The coyote is an invasive species that never dwelled in the east until this past century. It quickly migrated eastward, due to habitat loss in the west. Along the way, the coyote bred with grey and red wolves, which biologists think increased its ability to withstand cooler temperatures, allowing it to adapt to New England and Appalachian winters.
Coyotes prey upon fox and fishers and also out compete them for habitat. Fox and fishers are the best hunters of mice, rats, chipmunks, grey squirrels, and bunnies. Few or no fox and fishers equals an unparalleled abundance of these species.
The increased coyote population has had a direct correlation in the rise in Lyme disease
An additional note about Fishers
http://scientistatwork.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/06/do-fishers-really-eat-cats/
Good Morning Gloucester 