Lecture 33 Evolution & Domestication - Dogs Flashcards
Closest relatives of dogs are the
Grey Wolves (Canis lupus)
The dog and grey wolf are ____ Taxa
Sister
The order Carnivora includes
-over 260 species
-dogs, cats, bears, foxes, seals, wolves
Wolves, domestic dogs, foxes, coyotes, and dingoes are part of the family ____ in the order ____
Canidae; Carnivora
The ancestor of the order Canidae is the genus ____
Miacis
Genus Miacis is (3)
-ancestor of Canidae
-found in North America
-small, weasel-like mammal ~60 million years ago
Miacis evolved into ____
Cynodictis
Cynodictis was
The first true dog-like mammal, the “in between dog”
Evolution of dogs / wolf ancestors are characterized by the acquisition of these three traits
- Elongation of the limbs and feet (running)
- Carnassial teeth specialized for shearing (meat)
- Expanded cranium and brain (intelligence)
Two branches of Cynodictis are
Africa and Eurasia
The Eurasian branch of Cynodictis is
Tomarctus
Tomarctus is
The progenitor of wolves, dogs, and foxes (Eurasian branch of Cynodictis)
Domestication has an effect on
Evolution
Evolution of dogs is tightly connected to
Domestication
The process of developing a mutually useful relationship between animals and humans is called
Domestication
Domestication is the
Process of developing a mutually useful relationship between animals and humans
Domesticated species have undergone
An evolutionary process influenced by humans to meet their needs
Reproductive isolation
The product of a breeding population that is genetically isolated from the wild species
Domestication occurred
With different animals, at different times, in different parts of the world
6 criteria for domestication
- Flexible diet
- Reasonable growth rate
- Breed in captivity
- Pleasant disposition
- Steady temperament
- Modifiable social hierarchy
Dogs were domesticated in ___ around ____ years ago
Eurasia; ~20,000-40,000
Sequences of mitochondrial DNA in the dog and grey wolf differ by
0.2%
It was originally thought dogs evolved from ___ and were thus called ____
The Eurasian Grey Wolf; Canis lupus familiaris (subspecies)
Recent data indicate the dog and wolf evolved from
A now extinct common wolf ancestor
Genetic overlap between dogs and wolves is the result of
Repeated interbreeding AFTER the domestication of the dog
There is ___ from wolves to dogs, but ____ from dog to wolf
Limited gene flow; substantial gene flow
Two theories on the domestication of dogs
-initial wolf population split into European and Asian with modern dogs being derived almost exclusively from ASIAN dogs
-initial wolf population split into European and Asian with modern dogs being represented by BOTH
AMY2B is a ____ that breaks down ___
Enzyme; starch
The first domesticated species was the
Dog
Wolves following ____ of early humans would have given up ____
Migratory patterns; territory
Similarities between human families/societies and dog/wolf packs are (6)
-hierarchical order
-work co-operatively
-strong kinship ties
-suspicious of outsiders
-care for and protect the young
-ability to interpret moods
Left gaze bias is
When humans (and dogs) meet a new face and their gaze shifts left to settle on the right face which is better at expressing one’s emotional state
Dogs read human gestures as seen in (2)
-left gaze bias
-finger pointing
Co-evolution of dogs and humans can be seen in
Genomes: diet and digestion, neurological processes, and disease
Extended eye contact between dogs and their humans increases
Oxytocin levels in both
Oxytocin plays a role in
Maternal bonding and promotes trust and empathy
Retention of juvenile traits is called
Paedomorphosis
Paedomorphosis is seen through (4)
-floppy ears
-shorter muzzle
-broader face
-playfulness
Belyaev’s Experiment mimicked
Dog domestication through silver foxes
Pleiotropy is
One gene that affects several traits
Some selection processes that influence wild animals are removed or disrupted in domestication, this includes (4)
-reduced fighting between males
-fewer males for females to choose from
-more reliable food source
-fewer predators
Oldest modern dog breeds are no more than
500 years old
Most modern dog breeds originated
About 150 years ago during the Victorian Era
