Domestication

Question 1

domestication 1st step: animals were generalists, meaning they were able to:

Answer 1

• Survive on a variety of widely available foods
• Exploit their new domesticated niche with a high potential production rate
• They had relatively simple courtship patterns (one dominant male)
• They were social animals
• They were nonterritorial

Question 2

domestication 2nd step:

Answer 2

• Animals discovered the mutual compatability of our species & chose to act upon it
• animals gained more than they lost -> protection

Question 3

domestication 3rd step:

Answer 3

• Humans would begin breeding animals in captivity
• At this stage, “selective breeding” or “artificial selection” came into play

Question 4

how long does domestication last?

Answer 4

• Domestication lasts 10,000 – 12,000 years
• Continuing evolution of animals, plants, humans

Question 5

what are the results of domestication?

Answer 5

• Differences between breeds of animals or varieties of plants

Question 6

systematic domestication

Answer 6

• Process: animal adapts to man and environment
• Change: adaptation to “captive” situation leads to genetic changes over generations

Question 7

when were cattle domesticated?

Answer 7

• Cattle were domesticated between 8000 and 10,000 years ago

Question 8

when was the zebu cattle domesticated and where did it spread

Answer 8

• about 6000 years before christ
• spread from the indus valley to the tropical zones of most continents reaching china, indochina, and indonesia

Question 9

when and where was the taurine cattle domesticated and what did humans do additionally?

Answer 9

• around 10,000 years ago in near east and africa
• became widespread through europe through migration of farmers
• human selection generated “agrotypes”, which preceded the formation of breeds that differ in color, etc.

Question 10

when and where were pigs domesticated?

Answer 10

• all domestic pigs are descendants from the wild boar belonging to the family of suidae
• domestication in europe between 7000-5000 before christ

Question 11

what is taming?

Answer 11

• Taming is simply the process by which animals become accustomed to human presence (individual level)  many animals can be tamed, however only a few species can be domesticated

Question 12

how is a domesticated species defined?

Answer 12

“species which the evolutionary process has been influenced by humans to meet their needs”
- a defining characteristic of domestication is artificial selection by humans

Question 13

criteria that make an animal suitable for domestication (6)

Answer 13

• Generalist due to flexible diet (manageable)
• Breeding in captivity possible
• Disposition – relatively low in aggression
• Temperament – not too flighty/nervous
• Social hierarchy (recognizes dominance and submission)
• Non-territorial (migrating)

Question 14

special effects of domestication (8)

Answer 14

• Seasonal breeding
• Increased variation in body size
• Appearance
• Brain size
• Skeletal change
• Neoteny
• Castration
• Behavioral patterns

Question 15

when, where and for what purpose was the horse domesticated?

Answer 15

• Around 4000 BC
• For meat, riding, and transport
• In Ukraine, Kazakhstan, eastern or western Europe