Evolution + domestication Flashcards
What is evolution
change in animal species and speciation over time
How does evolution happen
Variation
Survival
Inheritance
Reproductive success
How are animals classified
By clades
What is a clade
a unit that contains all the descendants of a single ancestral species
What evidence do clade classification use
Morphological or molecular
What is domestication
the process of adapting wild animals for human use
Why did domestication occur
People were changing from hunting /gathering to agriculture
Criteria for domestication
Flexible diet
rapid growth (so can be eaten)
breed in captivity
pleasant and calm animals (animals that wont kill you)
modifiable social hierarchy (a lot of females and a couple males)
Morphology to describe domesticated animals
smaller
richer colours
reduced weaponry
shorter muzzle
shorter hair
fat deposits
smaller brain
smaller sense organs
neoteny (juvenile characteristics in adult)
