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What is the taxonomy of domesticated dogs?
What is the taxonomy of domesticated dogs?
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Carnivora, Suborder: Caniformia, Family: Canidae
When did canids first arise?
When did canids first arise?
~40 million years ago
What was the first canid called and where was it found?
What was the first canid called and where was it found?
Prohesperocyon wilsoni, found in what is now southwest Texas
What characteristics qualified it as a canid?
What characteristics qualified it as a canid?
What is a bulla?
What is a bulla?
What three subfamilies were canids divided into?
What three subfamilies were canids divided into?
What are characteristics of Hesperocyoninae?
What are characteristics of Hesperocyoninae?
What are characteristics of Borophaginae?
What are characteristics of Borophaginae?
What are characteristics of Caninae?
What are characteristics of Caninae?
What was the original classification of the domestic dog?
What was the original classification of the domestic dog?
When was the classification of domestic dog changed, and to what was it changed?
When was the classification of domestic dog changed, and to what was it changed?
Why was the domestic dog reclassified?
Why was the domestic dog reclassified?
What is the origin of domesticated dogs?
What is the origin of domesticated dogs?
When did domestication of dogs from wolves occur?
When did domestication of dogs from wolves occur?
What was going on with civilizations during the Upper Paleolithic period?
What was going on with civilizations during the Upper Paleolithic period?
When and where was the earliest known dog discovered?
When and where was the earliest known dog discovered?
What do paleolithic (proto-dogs) most resemble?
What do paleolithic (proto-dogs) most resemble?
True or false: Domestication occurred one way.
True or false: Domestication occurred one way.
What different ways could domestication have occurred?
What different ways could domestication have occurred?
What two characteristics were ancient dogs unknowingly selectively bred for?
What two characteristics were ancient dogs unknowingly selectively bred for?
What definitive documentation is there of domestication?
What definitive documentation is there of domestication?
How are older groups of dogs determined?
How are older groups of dogs determined?
Where and what breeds are considered the oldest ones?
Where and what breeds are considered the oldest ones?
What is the Saluki?
What is the Saluki?
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Study Notes
Taxonomy of Domesticated Dogs
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Suborder: Caniformia
- Family: Canidae
Origin of Canids
- Canids first appeared approximately 40 million years ago.
- The first canid, Prohesperocyon wilsoni, was discovered in present-day southwest Texas.
- Key characteristics include the loss of the upper third molar and an enlarged bony bulla.
Bulla Definition
- A bulla is a rounded covering over the middle ear, important in canid anatomy.
Canid Subfamilies
- Canids are divided into three subfamilies:
- Hesperocyoninae: Thrived around 39.7 to 15 million years ago, primarily in North America, comprised of 10 genera and 26 species.
- Borophaginae: Existed from 34 to 2 million years ago, featured small omnivores to bear-sized carnivores, found mainly in western North America.
- Caninae: Ranging from 34 million years ago to the present, this living subfamily includes 14 genera and 34 species, with a global distribution except Antarctica.
Domestic Dog Classification
- Originally classified as Canis familiaris and Canis familiaris domesticus by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758.
- In 1993, reclassified to Canis lupus familiaris by the Smithsonian Institution and American Society of Mammalogists based on various studies.
Domestic Dog Origin and Domestication
- Domesticated dogs descended from wolves, particularly the Gray Wolf, showing less than 0.2% mitochondrial DNA difference.
- The domestication date is around 30,000 years ago, coinciding with Upper Paleolithic human settlements transitioning from hunting-gathering to permanent campsites.
Archaeological Findings
- The earliest known dog was found at Goyet Cave in Belgium, dating back 30,000 years.
- Paleolithic dogs resembled Siberian Huskies in appearance and shepherd dogs in size.
Nature of Domestication
- Domestication is a complex process, not a singular event.
- Possible pathways include hunters bringing wolf pups to campsites or less fearful wolves seeking scavenging opportunities with nomadic humans.
Selective Breeding
- Ancient dogs were selectively bred for decreased flight response and increased sociality, key traits for tameness.
Historical Documentation
- First evidence of dog breeds appears in ancient Egyptian artwork dated to 5,000 years ago.
Genetic Variability and Breeds
- Older dog breeds exhibit the greatest genetic variability, reflecting closer ties to wolf ancestors.
- Notable ancient breeds include the Akita and Basenji, predominantly found in Asia and Africa.
The Saluki
- Bred for hunting in desert conditions, especially by Bedouin tribes.
- Known for exceptional stamina and speed, Salukis were bred to hold prey for their masters rather than kill it and possess a uniquely flexible spine.
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