New Genetics Study on Dogs' Evolution from Wolves

[Yardener]

It's unclear how/when exactly dogs evolved from wolves. One theory is that wolves became domesticated as our hunting companions around 40,000 years ago. Another theory, one bolstered by this recent genetics study, is that wolves became domesticated as a result of feeding on our garbage. This occured once we moved from a hunter/gatherer lifestyle to a more agricultural one around 11,000 years ago.

This study basically compared the wolf genome w/ the domesticated dog and found areas of difference. Then they looked at the genes in those areas and what their funcitons are. Two things: brain and digestion.

The digestion piece is the key evidence here. Dogs have on average 7x the enzyme capacity to digest starches compared to wolves. So, by natural selection, those wolves that could more readily digest our agricultural waste grains had an advantage and passed that trait on.

The brain difference is not as well understood, but probably has to do with the more passive, puppy-like traits that dogs exhibit, which early humans then selected for. (An interesting correlary is a Russian study showing domestication of foxes w/in a few generations by selecting for passivity traits - in the process they develop droopy ears.)

In all likelihood, the domestication of dogs from wolves happened many times w/ many different populations over many thousands of years for different reasons. And those semi-wolf populations then interbred back and forth.

good study summary:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21142870

original article:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature11837.html

 

[AncientEnemy]

how did they go from wolf to chihuahua is the real question. who carefully selected the small yappy annoying traits to breed

 

[Iroh]

how did they go from wolf to chihuahua is the real question. who carefully selected the small yappy annoying traits to breed

Women.

 

[Yardener]

how did they go from wolf to chihuahua is the real question. who carefully selected the small yappy annoying traits to breed

lol. indeed. I think, actually, domesticated dogs exhibit the most physical variety of any single species. It's really amazing to think about how much diversity emerged from wolves in a relatively short evolutionary time scale. And probably all by the (un)natural selection of humans selecting for desired traits.

 

[Iroh]

^ you can see they have also crossbreathed with cows.

 

[Black Viking]

It was probably those weakling wolves with no hope that were left to eat our trash, while others ate meat.

Could explain brain difference lol

 

[Cestus]

lol. indeed. I think, actually, domesticated dogs exhibit the most physical variety of any single species. It's really amazing to think about how much diversity emerged from wolves in a relatively short evolutionary time scale. And probably all by the (un)natural selection of humans selecting for desired traits.

 

[Yardener]

Damn. That's a creepy picture. Individual genetic abnormalities causing dwarvism or gigantism aren't considered for intraspecies comparison. In true natural selection, I doubt either of those humans would have survived infancy.

Just saw today's Washington Post has an article on this:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...510-11e2-85f5-a8a9228e55e7_story.html?hpid=z4

interesting quote on the behavior changes seen in dogs:
"How those genetic mutations explain dog behavior is a topic of future research. However, the fact that so many are involved in brain maturation supports the theory that dogs are really wolves that never grew up.

Sociability around strangers, curiosity and playfulness are traits seen in both wolf pups and dog pups. So are floppy ears, broader faces and liberal tail-wagging. They all persist in adult dogs but are largely extinguished in adult wolves."

and here's a link for that Russian study domesticating foxes I mentioned:
http://www2.webmatic.it/workO/s/113/pr-1519-file_it-Trut Russ J genet.pdf

 

[SammyPops]

Women.

Well played sir.

National Geographic had a show on this. It was cool. Stated dogs DNA string has more hooks than any other known animal, allowing for very rapid evolution.

 

[Merlotte's]

SOON

 

[Noob]

yesterday i gave my dog a long hug and went into deep thought about how the relationship between humans and wolves started.

 

[Yardener]

yesterday i gave my dog a long hug and went into deep thought about how the relationship between humans and wolves started.

Ha! Yeah, I know the feeling. I really love my dogs and get the sense it's genuinely mutual (maybe I'm being anthropomorphic, but still).

It's really a cool case of co-evolution between two species. Dogs are the way they are in large part b/c of us. Meanwhile, many anthropologists believe humans wouldn't have become so successful if it wasn't for our canine friends helping us out along the way (i.e. hunting, shepherding, as pack animals in artic climates, etc)

 

[HomerThompson]

yesterday i gave my dog a long hug and went into deep thought about how the relationship between humans and wolves started.

Gay!

 

[Car]

Lol we go back waaay longer than 11,000 years, as far as being civilized

 

[KilledByDeath]

how did they go from wolf to chihuahua is the real question. who carefully selected the small yappy annoying traits to breed

From what i remember, my chinese friend was telling me they wanted the dogs to be small enough to sit in the sleeves of powerful chinese leaders back in the day and when someone approached them, they would bark and or attack.
Not sure if its true, but thats the story i heard.

 

[mister who]

What about feral dogs? Do they exhibit similar behaviors to wolves? Like the whole pack mentality and hierarchy?

 

[KilledByDeath]

yesterday i gave my dog a long hug and went into deep thought about how the relationship between humans and wolves started.

There is a tale my grandmother told me a long time ago, ill share.

Back when our ancestors were allowed to rise up from the dirt they were weak and had a hard time dealing with predators and hunting, they didnt know what foods to eat and were dying off, then wolf came and told man, if you let me sit by your fire then i will teach you how to hunt.
Today it is evident when we look at our closest companion "dog", our spirit remembers the pact that was made all that time ago, so today it is our responsibility to keep our end of the bargain and protect them.




BTW, my wolf hybrid behaves just fine, in fact he usually babysits my son for me while im making food and sings to him when he cry's.
because im so shameless here is a pic of him at 6mo

He is 2nd generation Husky/Tundra wolf hybrid, His mum on the other hand was a monster of a dog i tell you, truly a vision of power and dominance.

 

[Noob]

Gay!

well i do like men lol

 

[KilledByDeath]

What about feral dogs? Do they exhibit similar behaviors to wolves? Like the whole pack mentality and hierarchy?

Yes i have been hearing about the crazy packs of wild dogs in the CA desert alot recently, apparently they hunt rabbit, field mice, lizards and whatnot and avoid humans. Gonna have to take a trip out there soon and get some pics.

ZookeeperGabe probably knows a bit more about this than me, hopefully he sees this.

 

[Noob]

There is a tale my grandmother told me a long time ago, ill share.

Back when our ancestors were allowed to rise up from the dirt they were weak and had a hard time dealing with predators and hunting, they didnt know what foods to eat and were dying off, then wolf came and told man, if you let me sit by your fire then i will teach you how to hunt.
Today it is evident when we look at our closest companion "dog", our spirit remembers the pact that was made all that time ago, so today it is our responsibility to keep our end of the bargain and protect them.




BTW, my wolf hybrid behaves just fine, in fact he usually babysits my son for me while im making food and sings to him when he cry's.
because im so shameless here is a pic of him at 6mo

He is 2nd generation Husky/Tundra wolf hybrid, His mum on the other hand was a monster of a dog i tell you, truly a vision of power and dominance.

Thats actually a pretty cool story

and that wolf hybrid is BEAUTIFUL