View source for Origin of the Domestic Dog

By Dr. Thomas Leitner, Staff Scientist, Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory

'''October 21, 2008'''

[http://sfcomplex.org Santa Fe Complex]

;Abstract
:Man's best friend is also his oldest animal friend. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA from dogs worldwide show that virtually all dog breeds share their ancestry in wolves domesticated in southeastern Asia. Evolutionary analyses showed that using a molecular clock that describes how fast DNA changes over time, this domestication occurred less than 16,000 years ago. Further analyses showed that the domestication most likely took place in the cultures south of Yangtze River from at least 48 female wolf founders. The place and time coincide with the origin of rice agriculture, suggesting an origin among sedentary hunter-gatherers or early rice farmers. The numerous founders indicate that wolf taming was an important cultural trait, and it is noticeable that in this region dogs are since ancient times used as food, offering an alternative explanation for the wolf domestication. The origin of the Australian Dingo will also be discussed.

:Dogs are welcome to this presentation. If you have an unusual breed and would like to donate a few hair shafts (with the root) to future research on dog evolution I would be happy to add it to our sample bank.

Dr. Leitner will be introduced by Dr. Bette Korber, Laboratory Fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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