http://www.ck12.org Chapter 11. Understanding Biodiversity: Animals: Mammals
Habitat
Coyotes live in North America and Central America. They live mostly in southwestern states of the United States,
however, some live as far north as Alaska. Some live in deserts of Arizona. They also live in urban settings such as
New York, Chicago, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. Their population may continue to spread due to the fact that
they are very adaptable. They make their dens in rocky crevices, logs, coves or dens of other animals. They usually
don’t dig their own dens. They find an abandoned den of a badger or fox, and they make it bigger.
Biology
Cell Biology
Coyotes have eukaryotic cells, like all other animals. Eukaryotic cells are found in animals, fungi, and plants. These
cells are made up of the cell membrane, nucleus, which contains the DNA, ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum,
Golgi bodies, and the mitochondria, as well as other organelles. The cell membrane separates the inner and the outer
parts of the cell. The next part of a cell is the DNA. DNA is a cell’s genetic code that has the blueprints for the rest
of the living organism. The ribosome makes proteins, essential for a cell. The endoplasmic reticulum can either be
rough, which is used for protein synthesis, or smooth, which is used for lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism,
and detoxification. The Golgi body carries proteins inside the cell before they are sent to where they are needed.
The mitochondria is where sugars are burned for energy.
Cells can divide in two ways, mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is the process in which a cell divides the chromosomes
in its nucleus into two identical sets in two new nuclei. Meiosis is the process in which DNA divides to create a cell
with only half the chromosomes needed. This process is used to make gametes for reproduction.
The blood of coyotes and all other mammals has red blood cells without a nucleus. Nerve cells are a vital part of the
body. Nerve cells transfer information around the body. They are used for sound, touch, sight, movement, and other
senses. Skin cells are use primarily for protection. Muscle cells have 3 types: skeletal, which is used for locomotion
(movement), smooth, which are used in the walls of intestines, and cardiac, which are used in the heart.
Genetics
The results of genetic analysis show that, on average, roughly 10 to 15 percent of the genetic makeup of the eastern
coyotes is wolf. Coyotes in the eastern United States and Canada are actually gray wolf hybrids.
Evolution
The first animal fossils were found 630 million years ago. Amniotes evolved about 350 million years ago. Amniotes
were the first land vertebrates. Amniotes are animals that produce eggs with internal membranes that let gases pass
through but not water. In the amniotic egg, an embryo can breathe without drying. Amniotic eggs were the first
eggs that could stay on land. One important amniote group to evolve was the synapsids, which then evolved into
mammals.Canisis about 5 million years old, while the coyote evolved about 1.18 million years ago.
Ecology
Coyotes are prey to only two animals, the gray wolf and the mountain lion, and are hunted by humans. Ninety
percent of their diet is made up of mammals like voles, prairie dogs, eastern cottontail rabbit, ground squirrel, and