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| Dogs have become man's best friend accessed 23/5 http://pitvel.com/congruence-between-human-and-dogs/ |
It’s been found that split between wolves and dogs may have
happened up 135 000 years ago. A genetic change that long ago was most likely
caused by the first relationship between wolves and humans being more of a
mutual hunting strategy rather than the one sided use of wolves. About 150 000
years ago, a new, superior species of hominid outcompeted the Neanderthals. Then
the first homo sapiens evolved about 80 000 years ago. These homo sapiens
survived the ice age by preying on deer and mammoths and living in the caves of
Spain and France.
The first canids were quite small and lived in North America
when the ungulates such as horses and antelope dominated. Larger canid predators
evolved quickly and spread into Asia, Europe, Africa and the rest of North
America. The Canis genus was suspected to have evolved in Asia, with today grey
wolf, Canis lupus, evolving around 1
million years ago. Towards the end of the ice age wolves were constantly
scavenging from human kills and so the mutualism began. The humans started
feeding the wolves in return for loyal companionship and help hunting.
The strong social structure of the wolf allowed it to work
successfully hunting due to their knowledge of each other’s position in the
hunt. This social level made the wolves extremely valuable to humans not just in
the ice age hunts, but in years so come such as working together to pull sleds.
This awareness is still very evident in todays “domesticated” dogs, with man’s
best friend knowing who in the family is who.
These examples show that the domestication of dogs is more
of a mutual co-evolution where both parties have benefited out of the
relationship. From previous days of hunting to today’s times of company and
protection.
References:
W. M. Schleidt, M. D. Shalter, 2003, Co-evolution of Humans
and Canids: An Alternative View of Dog Domestication: Homo Homini Lupus, Evolution
and Cognition, vol. 9, No. 1, pages 57-72
Thanks for an interesting look at how our faithful and furry companions have evolved. I’ve enjoyed your evolutionary journey.
ReplyDeleteI understand your point, and the basis from which you derive your theory.
ReplyDeleteThere is, however, a false assumption, which is that the wolf is the proto-dog.
The most likely proto dog would by a hyena like canid. The wolf is just a feral dog, like the dingo. However, the dingo went feral a mere 5000 years ago, while the wolf has been feral since the last ice-age.
It is actually a feral husky.