The first record of the golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) in the Russian Subarctic

The range of the golden jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) in Eurasia has undergone significant changes over the past decades, revealed in species expansion and range extensions. The article summarizes literature characterizing the dynamics of the species’ range in Russia, and presents data on appearances of animals far outside established ranges. Here we present the first record of the golden jackal in the northern taiga subzone of Russia in an agriculturally undeveloped region, far beyond the species’ range and its presumed ecological preferences. Species identification was confirmed by morphological and craniometrical examinations, and genetic analysis. This jackal mitochondrial DNA haplotype is associated with populations from Europe and Caucasus. The article suggests the possible routes for the jackal’s travel to this geographical location (64°40′20″ N, 43°22′56″ E) and discusses the possibility of the species inhabiting subarctic areas with severe climatic conditions. Moreover, the authors speculate on the phenomenon of range expansion of the golden jackal.