Articles tagged with Animal Domestication
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Researchers analyzed dental calculus to determine the diet of Scythian communities, finding evidence of ruminant dairy consumption. They detected horse milk proteins in one individual's remains, challenging previous historical accounts.
A team of scientists analyzed 2,500 year old dental plaque to find evidence of dairy consumption among the Scythians, revealing a more diverse diet than previously thought. The study provides direct proof of horse milk consumption and highlights the potential for dairy products to provide insight into ancient cultural practices.
A new research article reveals that the rules of use for Sámi reindeer husbandry create challenges for self-governance and adaptation to climate change. The rules were designed to promote sustainability but have not been effective in accommodating adjustments, leading to conflicts between authorities and herders.
Researchers discovered Yersinia pestis DNA in a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from Arkaim, Russia, providing a missing link for the Bronze Age plague's widespread spread. The findings suggest that people, livestock, and an unidentified natural reservoir played a dynamic role in the disease's evolution.
Researchers found that people perceive dogs as happier when they are in a sad mood and vice versa. The study suggests that there is a significant gap in understanding canine emotions, which can impact human-animal interaction and animal care.
Research found that most people are poor at recognizing pain in horses, but those with more experience are better equipped to identify subtle cues. Higher levels of social anxiety also influenced pain recognition, particularly in humans, highlighting the need for education and training on equine welfare.
Scientists have discovered wolf remains, thousands of years old, on a small, isolated island in the Baltic Sea. The study suggests that grey wolves may have been managed or controlled by prehistoric societies, with evidence of complex relations and interactions between humans and wolves.
A groundbreaking study reveals that domestic dogs exhibited significant variation in size and shape at least 11,000 years ago. The research analyzed 643 modern and archaeological canid skulls spanning the last 50,000 years, tracing the emergence of distinct dog forms deep into prehistory.
A new study has uncovered evidence that Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America, rewriting the story of their arrival. The horses and donkeys were likely butchered and eaten during the infamous winter of starvation.
A new study reveals that Indonesian cattle breeds carry a unique blend of zebu and banteng genetics, making them more genetically diverse than other breeds. This diversity could lead to improved disease resistance, productivity, and greenhouse gas emissions in cattle farming.
Researchers found that human selection and environmental changes led to a synchronous evolution of domestic and wild animal body sizes over the past 7,000 years. However, in recent centuries, human impact has intensified, causing wild species to shrink while domestic animals have grown larger.
Tharos' pilot study shows a directional decline in low-abundance Borrelia reads in animal stool samples, alongside increased butyrate and reduced Spirochaetes. The findings warrant controlled trials to test the signals under blinded conditions.
A study published in PLOS One found that domestic cats can discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar humans based on their odor. Cats spend longer sniffing the odor of a stranger than that of their owner, suggesting they can identify human scent patterns.
A study by Kobe University found that Japanese wasp larvae feed on a diverse range of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. The research used DNA metabarcoding to identify the gut contents of larvae from wild and reared nests, revealing significant differences in prey composition between the two.
A study found that dog owners rate their bond as the most satisfying, with dogs scoring high in nurturing and relationship security. However, there is a power imbalance towards the owner, with full control over the dog's decisions.
A team of archaeologists and Indigenous scholars calls on museums to better care for animal remains, recognizing power imbalances and respecting Native American traditions. The approach emphasizes self-reflection, lifelong learning, and partnering with Indigenous groups to rethink catalogue, storage, and display methods.
Sheep have been an integral part of human livelihoods for over 11,000 years, providing meat, milk, and clothing. Genetic analyses reveal that early farmers deliberately selected their flocks for desirable traits, such as coat colour, demonstrating a significant impact on animal biology.
A new study led by University of Arizona researcher François Lanoë reveals that Indigenous people in the Americas interacted with early dogs and wolves as far back as 12,000 years ago. The discovery sheds light on how long humans have had relationships with the ancestors of today's dogs.
The study reveals large genomic differences between European aurochs, North Asian aurochs, and South Asian ancestor, with evidence of human intentional feeding and targeted domestication. The genome of the central European aurochs was fully decoded for the first time, providing insights into the history of wild cattle in Europe and Asia.
Geneticists deciphered aurochs prehistory by analysing 38 ancient genomes from Siberia to Britain. The study highlights diverse wild forms and the impact of climate change and domestication on their evolution.
Researchers found that horseback riding can subtly alter the shape of the hip joint, but these changes are not definitive proof of horse domestication. Human remains from various time periods show similar skeletal changes due to other activities, casting doubt on the Kurgan hypothesis.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 4 in 10 cat owners report their feline companions playing fetch, while 78% of dog owners say their canine friends engage in the behavior. The research also highlights differences in fetching behavior between breeds and demographic factors.
A recent survey conducted by PLOS ONE found that both cats and dogs often enjoy playing fetch with their owners. The study involved a large sample size of pet owners, providing evidence for the universal appeal of this popular dog activity.
A recent study challenges the notion that domestication is the primary driver of reduced brain size in domesticated animals. The study found that the reduction in relative brain size in domesticated dogs is not an evolutionary singularity among Canids, as other ecological and evolutionary pressures can also drive such changes.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have identified genetic signatures of domestication in pigs and chickens, revealing changes in gene expression related to immune response, stress response, and energy metabolism. These findings provide insights into the genetic basis of domestication and highlight potential candidate genes for breedi...
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of early plant farming in east Africa, revealing a pattern of gradual introductions of different crops that originated from different parts of the continent. The study found domesticated cowpea, sorghum, and finger millet seeds dating back to around 2,300 years ago.
A team of researchers uncovered the geographical origins of farmed foxes and understood the role of genetic diversity in their domestication. The study found that every captive population originated from wild North American foxes, with greater genetic diversity observed in Eurasian populations.
Researchers found that domestic horses were produced in large numbers around 4200 years ago, marking the start of a new era in human history. This led to unprecedented exchanges and interactions among diverse cultures across Eurasia.
Researchers uncovered evidence of ancient Mongolian cuisine using protein analysis on Bronze Age cauldrons. The study revealed that nomads collected animal blood for sausage production and fermented yak milk, providing insights into the traditions and diet of Bronze Age nomads.
A slow-growth diet for female pigs before breeding improved their long-range health, leading to increased litter sizes and healthier piglets. The study showed that sows fed a low-nutrient diet during development lost less weight during lactation and had better body condition.
A new study highlights the human impacts of endangered species mating with domestic relatives, causing economic loss and death. Conservation efforts are also overlooked for marginalized pastoralist populations, who often lack effective defense against aggressive wild males.
A recent study reveals that humans inhabited a lava tube in northern Saudi Arabia for thousands of years, with evidence of repeated occupation and a transition to oasis agriculture. The site provides valuable insights into the history of human settlement in the region.
A study of ancient sheep mitogenomes from Asıklı Höyük reveals five matrilineages, including one previously unknown lineage, contradicting the assumption of rapid genetic diversity loss during early domestication. High diversity persisted despite a millennium of human interference with sheep breeding.
Recent research connects biological domestication to early food globalization, proposing a new conceptual framework that challenges traditional narratives. Archaeological investigations have shown that plant and animal domestication entailed a more gradual transition spanning thousands of years across extensive geographies.
Researchers used isotope analysis to identify the origins of elite horses in medieval London, finding half had diverse international origins. The horses, used in jousting tournaments and status symbols, were sourced from Europe specifically for their height and strength.
A new study reveals that humans are losing important cellulose-degrading microbes in their gut microbiome, especially in industrial societies. The loss of these microbes is linked to a shift away from fiber-rich diets, which are essential for maintaining a balanced intestinal flora.
A new review of international research highlights the dangers of forced separation from pets in crisis situations like domestic violence, homelessness, or natural disasters. The study found a lack of support services puts people and animals at risk of distress and harm.
Researchers from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History analyzed a 160-year-old woolly dog pelt to determine its genetic makeup. The study found that woolly dogs diverged from other breeds up to 5,000 years ago and were genetically similar to pre-colonial dogs from Newfoundland and British Columbia.
Researchers found evidence of domesticated yak dating back 2,500 years in the southern Tibetan Plateau, revealing insights into animal domestication pathways and human adaptation to high-altitude environments. The discovery was made using a combination of ancient DNA sequencing and zooarchaeological analysis.
Archaeological findings suggest that First Nations people buried dingoes alongside humans, indicating a close relationship and almost-human status. The care taken to bury the animals reveals a diet heavily influenced by human scraps, highlighting substantial relationships between humans and dingoes prior to European colonization.
A study involving wolves and dogs found that both species can remember where people hid food if they observed the hiding process. However, wolves outperformed dogs in finding caches, suggesting differences in traits like persistency and food-related motivation.
A new study analyzed ancient DNA from Spanish settlements in the Caribbean and Mexico, revealing that cattle were imported from Africa early in the colonization process. This challenges previous historical records, which suggested cattle were only introduced by Europeans from Europe.
A study by Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that American mink can regain almost full ancestral brain size within 50 generations after escaping captivity. This reverses the long-held assumption that domestication causes permanent brain size loss in animals.
Scientists at the University of Queensland are working on a new method for artificial insemination in sheep, aiming to boost pregnancy success rates. The research could lead to significant improvements in wool and meat production, as well as enhance animal welfare.
Researchers found that modern dog breeds, which are genetically more distant from wolves, have relatively larger brain sizes compared to ancient breeds. This increase in brain size cannot be attributed to the roles or life history characteristics of the breeds.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis suggest that ancient humans may have chosen certain wild plants for domestication based on their ability to be easily 'tamed'. Plants with high plasticity, or the capacity to respond to environmental changes, can produce more yields and easier-to-sprout seeds.
A team led by Bill Ballard has published a new study in GigaScience to propose Cooinda, an Alpine dingo, as the model specimen to represent a typical dingo. The study presents genomic and brain imaging data that sheds light on the evolutionary history of dingoes and their domestication process.
A team of international researchers has uncovered a more complex history of early horses in North America, suggesting they may have spread faster and earlier than previously thought. The study, published in Science, used archaeozoology, DNA sequencing, and Indigenous oral traditions to find that Native American communities were likely ...
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ritualistic belief and economic factors intertwined for Neolithic people in northwest Arabia. Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla revealed animal offerings, human interment, and suggest repeated pilgrimages, challenging previous understandings of the region's culture.
A recent study reveals the combined weight of cattle, pigs, sheep, and other domesticated mammals surpasses that of wild terrestrial mammals, dwarfing their biomass by 30 times. Human impact on the environment is also strongly affecting the relatively limited remaining mammalian presence in nature.
A study found that dog puppies but not kittens and wolf pups spontaneously imitate human actions, even when unrewarded. The researchers believe this can inform novel training methods less dependent on food rewards.
Researchers found that breeds genetically closer to wolves are more prone to reply with howls, while modern breeds bark instead. Older dogs over 5 years also show increased stress-related behaviors when howling.
A study analyzed 105 cat interactions to categorize them into playful, aggressive, or intermediate groups. The majority (56.2%) were classified as playful, while 28.6% were agonistic. Intermediate behavior was observed in 15.2% of cats, exhibiting characteristics of both play and aggression.
Researchers found that companion dogs, but not pigs, would show their owners the location of a food reward out-of-reach. This suggests that directing humans' attention to interesting locations may not be a universal ability among domestic animals. Dogs and other visually communicative species were more likely to use this behavior.
A recent study found that DNA from domesticated chickens has been introgressing into the genomes of wild red junglefowl, leading to a loss of genetic diversity. The researchers estimate that wild birds have inherited 20-50% of their genomes from domestic chickens, which could make them less resilient to environmental changes.
A new study pinpoints the first-ever domestication of cats to nearly 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region. Genetic analysis reveals that humans' transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers sparked the bond between humans and rodents-eating cats, leading to their migration with humans worldwide.
A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science reveals that a domestic dog lived in the Palaeolithic period 17,000 years ago in the Erralla cave in the Basque Country. The bone remains identified as Canis lupus familiaris, making it one of Europe's most ancient domestic dogs.
A new study suggests that human activities such as burning forests for introduced grazing species led to the disappearance of Madagascar's large animals. The researchers found a drastic increase in charcoal and domesticated species like zebu cattle around 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the extinction of megafauna.
The study of Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia in Cyprus reveals farming practices for sheep and cattle. Analysis of animal isotopes indicates communal feasting on wild game like deer and pigs during special occasions.
Research from the University of Oxford and Yellowstone National Park found that wolves with black coats are more likely to survive canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreaks. This suggests that the gene for a black coat may provide protection against the virus, leading to its increased frequency in areas with CDV outbreaks.