Dog Divergence and Evolution

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Questions and Answers

What has contributed to the change in the divergence timeline of domestic dogs?

Improved fossil evidence and better DNA samples (correct)

Advanced breeding techniques in domestic dogs

Development of new dog breeds

Increased human impact on dog behavior

Which characteristic is NOT typically found in domestic dogs compared to wolves?

Wider faces

Curled tails

Floppy ears

Larger incisors (correct)

How have dogs and wolves diverged physically?

Wolves have shorter braincases

Dogs tend to have larger body sizes

Dogs typically have larger eyes than wolves (correct)

Dogs have longer snouts than wolves

Regarding attachment to humans, which statement is true?

Dogs have a stronger attachment to humans than wolves Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the relationship between a husky and a pug?

A husky is more related to a pug than to a wolf Signup and view all the answers

What was found alongside a hominid dwelling that dates back 125,000 years?

Wolf skulls Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Goyet dog found from 32,000 to 35,000 years ago?

It appeared very dog-like with a short snout Signup and view all the answers

During the initial divergence, how did wolves and dogs physically compare?

They looked very similar Signup and view all the answers

What factor did Dmitiri Belyaev hypothesize was crucial for domestication of animals?

Humans kept the tamest animals to live with them. Signup and view all the answers

Which physiological changes occurred in the domesticated silver fox population?

Development of curled tails and floppy ears. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of neural crest cells in the context of domestication?

They influence changes in bone, cartilage, and pigmentation. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key method used by Belyaev in his research on domestication?

Selective breeding of the tamest individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What role did dingoes serve for the Aborigines?

Warmers, cleaners, companions, and guard dogs Signup and view all the answers

What hypothesis can be derived from Belyaev's research regarding behavior and physical traits?

Selection for specific behaviors can result in simultaneous physical changes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of domestication entail?

Adapting wild plants and animals for human use with control over reproduction and care Signup and view all the answers

What does the mtDNA study suggest about the relationship between dingoes and dogs?

They are not separate species and can interbreed Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that humans stole wolf pups to aid in domestication?

Pup theft theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary argument against the commensal theory of wolf domestication?

Humans would not leave enough scraps to attract wolf packs Signup and view all the answers

What does acceptance in relationship to domestication represent?

No change in DNA sequences, but a behavior change occurs Signup and view all the answers

When did the domestication of dogs likely begin in relation to agriculture?

Before the domestication of sheep, goats, and cattle Signup and view all the answers

What significant conclusion can be drawn from the mtDNA studies of dingoes?

Dingoes and dogs have been interbreeding since their introduction to Australia Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in phylogenetic studies?

It is maternally inherited and stable over time. Signup and view all the answers

How did domestic dogs and wolves interact, according to mtDNA studies?

Interbreeding occurred numerous times between the species. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests that the dingo originated from domestic dogs?

Dingos are feral descendants of early domestic dog variants. Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributed to the dingo's arrival in Australia?

Arrival with seafarers approximately 4000 years ago. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the evolution of dogs in North America?

They evolved from Eurasian wolves that crossed the Bering Strait. Signup and view all the answers

Why is mtDNA considered more stable than nuclear DNA?

It exists in a circular form, similar to bacterial DNA. Signup and view all the answers

What role did dingoes have in the lives of Aborigines in Australia?

Dingoes lived alongside humans as valued companions. Signup and view all the answers

What extinct species was mentioned as having faced competition from dingoes?

Thylacine Signup and view all the answers

Which morphological change is specifically associated with the domestication of dogs?

Eye colour Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence found in Oberkassel, Germany suggests burial rituals involving dogs?

Red powder on skeletons Signup and view all the answers

In which ancient civilization were mummified dogs found buried with royalty?

Ancient Egypt Signup and view all the answers

What evidence from North America supports the idea of 'tamed wolves' during the end of the Last Ice Age?

Shortened facial regions of wolf skulls Signup and view all the answers

What purpose did dogs serve in Ancient China besides companionship?

Religious roles Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the petroglyphs depicting domestic dogs in Saudi Arabia?

Curled tails indicate a domestic breed. Signup and view all the answers

What role did dogs play for the Natufians around 12,000 years ago?

Hunting partners Signup and view all the answers

Which large breed of dog was notably used for hunting lions in the Assyrian Empire?

Mastiff-like dogs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dog Divergence

Domestic dogs are considered the same species as wolves, and their evolutionary history includes some interbreeding.
Mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, is a type of genetic material found in mitochondria, which are organelles within cells.
The divergence timeline of domestic dogs from wolves has been reduced from 135,000 years to 30-40,000 years due to improved fossil evidence, DNA sequencing techniques, and analysis of nuclear and mtDNA.
mtDNA is passed down through the maternal lineage, meaning that it only comes from the mother's eggs.
mtDNA studies show that dogs and wolves have interbred at various times, with wolves contributing mitochondrial DNA to dogs.
North American dogs likely evolved from Eurasian wolves, reaching the Americas around 12,000 years ago.
Dingoes, a type of wild dog found in Australia, are believed to have been brought to the continent by seafarers around 4,000 years ago.
Dingoes are descended from domestic dogs and are not a separate species. They have remained isolated in Australia, which has contributed to their feral nature.

Dingo Origin

The dingo is a feral dog that is a descendant of domestic dogs.
The dingo was likely brought to Australia by seafarers approximately 4,000 years ago.
Dingoes have been valued by Indigenous Australians as companions, hunters, and guard dogs.
The dingo is thought to have competed with the thylacine, the largest known carnivorous marsupial, leading to its extinction.

Dog Domestication

Domestication is the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use, involving control over their reproduction and care.
Archeological records suggest that numerous domestic dog ancestors were domesticated near the Fertile Crescent, likely due to the advent of agriculture.
The domestication of dogs may have occurred before the domestication of sheep, goats, and cattle.
Theories on how wolves were domesticated include the commensal theory, where wolves benefited from scraps left by humans, and the intentional capture and rearing of wolf pups by humans.

Wolf Domestication Theories

The commensal theory suggests that wolves were initially attracted to human settlements for scraps.
The theory posits that less aggressive wolves were more likely to benefit from this, while aggressive wolves were driven away or killed by humans.
This theory suggests that the social nature of wolves, with their pack structures and communication, aided in their domestication.
An alternative theory suggests that humans actively captured wolf pups, which would have led to the development of strong bonds between humans and these wolf pups.

Acceptance and the Silver Fox Experiment

Acceptance is a change in behavior without changes in DNA sequences, often observed in captive-bred animals.
Domestication involves changes in DNA sequence, leading to altered behaviors and relationships with humans.
The Silver Fox experiment, conducted by Dr. Dmitri Belyaev, demonstrated that selective breeding for tameness could lead to both behavioral and physical changes in foxes.
This experiment supports the idea that selection for certain traits, like docility, can also lead to the selection of physical characteristics, indicating a connection between neural crest cell development and both behavior and morphology.

Archaeological Evidence

The Oberkassel site in Germany contains a 14,200-year-old domestic dog mandible found near the graves of two humans, providing evidence for early dog burials.
A Natufian burial site about 12,000 years old showcases a human buried with a dog, indicating a close relationship and likely dog use in hunting.
Petroglyphs in Saudi Arabia dating back thousands of years depict humans and dogs together, with representations like curled tails suggesting the presence of domestic dogs and highlighting the interaction between humans and dogs in hunting.

Ancient Domestication Evidence

Wolf skulls with shortened facial regions found near Fairbanks, Alaska, dating back to the end of the Last Ice Age, suggest the presence of "tamed wolves".
Ancient Egypt offers plentiful evidence of dog domestication, with dogs found in households, tombs, and burials.
Dogs in Ancient Egypt were considered companions, and even royalty were buried with their dogs. The Egyptian god Anubis, with the head of a jackal, guarded the afterlife.
Archaeological evidence suggests the use of dogs for hunting, companionship, and religious purposes in Ancient China dating back 6,000 to 7,000 years.
Dog bones were also used as oracle bones in Ancient China, demonstrating their cultural significance.
In Mesoamerica, dogs played a similar role to Ancient China, serving as a source of protein for large populations.
The Assyrian Empire, about 2,500 years ago, utilized mastiff-like dogs for hunting lions and other prey.
Ancient Greece also recognized the value of dogs, utilizing them as sheep guardians, guard dogs, and tracking dogs.

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Description

Explore the evolutionary history of domestic dogs and their connection to wolves. This quiz covers mitochondrial DNA, interbreeding, and the timeline of divergence from wolves. Learn how dogs made their way to America and the role of dingoes in Australia's canine history.