India, May 19 -- Wolves of the Indian subcontinent, both the Indian (Canis lupus pallipes) and Tibetan (Canis lupus Chanco) exhibit an unexpectedly large amount of unique genetic variation, according to a new study by Rice University in the United States.

Rice University professor Lauren Hennelly and her team, which includes scientists from 11 countries, collected and analysed DNA from wolves across Asia.

They found the southern part of Asia to be a hotbed for grey wolf diversity -- an evolutionarily important location that contains information about wolves' past and hope for their future.

Unusually distinct lineages

Wolves are traveling animals with reported journeys reaching over 500 miles. These travels often result in genetic mixi...