Origins and genetic legacy of prehistoric dogs

[left-of-center2012]

Dog domestication was multifaceted

Dogs were the first domesticated animal, likely originating from human-associated wolves, but their origin remains unclear. Bergstrom et al. sequenced 27 ancient dog genomes from multiple locations near to and corresponding in time to comparable human ancient DNA sites (see the Perspective by Pavlidis and Somel). By analyzing these genomes, along with other ancient and modern dog genomes, the authors found that dogs likely arose once from a now-extinct wolf population. They also found that at least five different dog populations ∼10,000 years before the present show replacement in Europe at later dates. Furthermore, some dog population genetics are similar to those of humans, whereas others differ, inferring a complex ancestral history for humanity's best friend.

Full article:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6516/557.full

[Polly Hennessey]

1. So, we still don't know.

[left-of-center2012]

2. Traced back to two dogs

Fido and Spot.

(I may be wrong)

[Buckeye_Democrat]

3. Didn't the silver fox experiments in Russia...

... pretty much settle how they were domesticated?

Considering how it was EASY to domesticate those foxes after just a few generations, it was believed that ancient humans didn't have to expend much energy to do it. The wolves who were less afraid and lingered around human tribes for scraps would procreate with each other. Then after a few wolf-generations of that... voila! Doggies!