Articles tagged with Animal Domestication
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.
A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.
Researchers at Stockholm University found wolves can show attachment towards humans, discriminating between familiar and stranger individuals. The study suggests ancestral variation for human-dog attachment bonds, potentially explaining similarities in canine behavior.
Research at Abu Hureyra, Syria, suggests that hunter-gatherers may have tended small numbers of animals outside their dwellings between 12,800 and 12,300 years ago. This finding challenges the widely held view that crop cultivation began first.
The study reveals that donkeys were first domesticated in Africa 5,000 years ago, with a previously unknown genetic lineage discovered in the Levant. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the history of trade between Europe and North Africa.
Horses with long-term relationships with owners are less stressed when encountering novel objects and surfaces. Research suggests that exclusive ownership and positive human interactions shape the horse's behavior, particularly in new or stressful situations.
Researchers mapped young chickens' play development from hatching, finding 14 types of play that increased in intensity around 6-7 weeks old. Domestication didn't change play behavior, but tame chickens played more than their ancestors. Early stress surprisingly increased playful behavior.
A study by Hoi-Lam Jim and colleagues found that neither dogs nor wolves formed reputations of humans as generous or selfish after indirect or direct interactions. However, some animals showed preference for the generous human after combined experiences.
A centuries-old tooth found on a Caribbean island yielded ancient DNA from a domesticated American horse, which was later discovered to be the oldest sequenced specimen in the Americas. The DNA analysis linked the horses to Spanish explorers who brought them to the mid-Atlantic region in the 16th century.
A study published in PLOS ONE analyzed the oldest domestic horse specimen from the Americas, revealing a genetic lineage linked to Southern Europe. The findings support the hypothesis that horses originated on the Iberian Peninsula and highlight the importance of ancient DNA in understanding cultural and historical processes.
Researchers measured wolf sleep using non-invasive EEG, finding similarities with dog sleep but less REM time. The study offers a unique opportunity to understand the effects of domestication and cohabitation on wolf sleep phenotypes.
Researchers found that dogs derive ancestry from at least two separate wolf populations, an eastern source and a more westerly source. The study, published in Nature, analyzed 72 ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years and suggests that domestication occurred in multiple places.
Researchers sampled fecal microbiomes from dogs across diverse populations in South Africa, India, and Laos, revealing similar metabolic functions. The study suggests that industrialization may affect the human microbiome diversity in non-industrialized settings.
Researchers have re-evaluated chicken remains from over 600 sites worldwide, revealing that domestication occurred around 1,500 BC in Southeast Asia. Chickens were initially regarded as exotica and only later used as a food source.
A new study suggests that goldfish pose a significant risk to native biodiversity in rivers and lakes. With insatiable appetites and bold behavior, goldfish can outcompete other species for resources, leading to catastrophic outcomes.
Research reveals Patagonian sheepdogs share common traits with European herding breeds, tracing back to extinct UK shepherds. The study uses genomic characterization and DNA sequencing to identify the connection between the two populations.
A study found that domesticated pigs and horses, as well as Asian wild horses, can tell the difference between positively and negatively charged sounds. The animals reacted stronger to negatively charged voices and showed mirroring of emotions.
A study published in PLOS Genetics reveals that Patagonian sheepdogs share a common ancestor with modern UK herding breeds, dating back around 150 years. The breed's unique genetic makeup reflects the pattern of European colonization in South America.
A survey of over 2,500 dog owners found that nutritionally sound vegan diets were associated with better health outcomes for dogs compared to raw or conventional meat diets. The study controlled for various factors and suggested that a well-planned vegan diet may be the healthiest choice for canines.
A study found that less than 5% of dog owners in the US are aware of and follow FDA guidelines for safe pet food and dish handling. The researchers suggest better education and implementation of these guidelines could reduce contamination and improve hygiene practices.
Researchers discovered that dogs have faster muscle fibers than wolves, enabling greater facial mobility and effective communication with humans. The study also found an additional mimetic muscle contributing to the 'puppy-dog eye' expression in dogs.
Scientists analyzed ancient vessels from India and discovered that prehistoric people used a variety of ingredients, including foraged plants, cultivated crops, and traded goods. The study found no evidence of cultural change impacting food processing during the Copper Age to Indus Valley Civilization transition.
A recent study evaluated pet cages, running wheels, and hay racks sold in German retailers and found that many failed to meet animal welfare standards. The research highlights concerns about the quality of pet supplies sold in retail stores.
Ancient Mesopotamian societies produced equid hybrids called kungas by crossing domestic donkeys with wild asses, offering a unique combination of strength and control. These animal hybrids were used for warfare and travel before the arrival of domestic horses in the region.
A groundbreaking study reveals early humans preferred to hunt the largest available animals to provide the greatest quantities of food. Over 1.5 million years, humans repeatedly overhunted large animals to extinction, and then shifted to smaller animals, improving their hunting technologies.
A study conducted at the University of São Paulo analyzed how dogs living inside the home exchange looks with their owners to obtain food or other desired objects. The researchers found that 95.7% of those living inside the home used gaze alternation at least once, while those living outside communicated less intensely.
A modelling study estimates nearly a quarter of a million unowned cats in UK urban areas, with higher deprivation and density linked to higher abundance. Socioeconomic factors and human population density were key predictors of unowned cat presence.
Researchers have established that the Pontic-Caspian steppes and northern Caucasus are the center of horse domestication in Eurasia. The study reveals that domesticated horses spread throughout Asia at the same time as spoke-wheeled chariots and Indo-Iranian languages.
A study led by Ludovic Orlando found that modern domestic horses were first domesticated in the Pontic-Caspian steppes around 2000-2200 BC. The genetic profile of these horses spread rapidly across Eurasia, replacing other horse populations and facilitating their conquest of the region.
An international team of scientists suggests that early humans in New Guinea collected cassowary eggs near maturity and then raised the birds to adulthood, with evidence supporting this behavior dating back 18,000 years. The researchers used eggshells to determine the developmental stage of ancient embryos/chicks when the eggs cracked.
Researchers found that ancient Siberian human populations interacted with outside dog populations at least 2,000 years ago, suggesting dogs were traded as goods. The study reveals that modern dog breeds like Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies maintain significant ancestry from a lineage established prior to 9,500 years ago.
A new study reveals that the Early Bronze Age Yamnaya pastoralists adopted milk drinking, leading to vast steppe expansions across Europe and Asia. Analysis of ancient tartar samples identified a strong correlation between dairy consumption and expansion, with 94% of individuals showing evidence of milk drinking
New research reveals Bronze Age farmers in China prioritized cattle for their diets, utilizing byproducts like millet stalks for feed. This approach differs from other regions, where cows were raised closer to human settlements.
Archaeologists found that the lack of a mutualistic relationship between humans and New World rabbits, characterized by controlled reproduction, prevented domestication. The solitary nature of American cottontails made it difficult for humans to control their population and evolution.
A new study by Duke University finds that dogs have developed complex cognitive abilities similar to human babies after 14,000 years of domestication. The research tested dog and wolf puppies, revealing that dogs can intuitively understand human gestures and social cues.
A genomic study of 51 high-quality samples reveals the Chinese mountain cat is a wildcat subspecies (Felis silvestris bieti) and was not directly involved in feline domestication in China. This finding supports the theory that housecats originated solely from African wildcat domestication, but raises conservation concerns for the species.
A new study reveals that both tame and aggressive silver fox breeds have larger brains and more grey matter than their control group counterparts. This finding contradicts previous studies on other domesticated animals, which showed smaller brain sizes with less grey matter.
Research finds that foxes selectively bred for tameness and aggressiveness display similar brain changes to regions in the prefrontal cortex. This contradicts previous studies which found shrinking brain sizes in domesticated species.
Researchers in the Zagros Mountains have discovered ancient DNA evidence suggesting goats were domesticated around 8200-7600 BCE, with genetic analysis revealing distinct herds from hunted wild goats. The domestication of goats in this region may represent the earliest known examples of goat herding.
Researchers from the University of A Coruña sequenced the oldest mitochondrial genome of modern cows' immediate ancestor, finding three aurochs with genetic differences. The ancient remains were discovered near a 9,000-year-old shepherdess, sparking debate about their relationship and domestication history.
Researchers discovered early flocks of domesticated sheep in the Iberian Peninsula fed and reproduced on a controlled diet, with births occurring outside optimal seasons. This study reveals significant advances in animal husbandry during the Neolithic period.
A new study reveals that domesticated sheep first reached Central Asia around 6000 BCE, challenging the long-held notion of their late arrival to the region. The discovery was made through interdisciplinary analysis of fossil remains and ancient DNA.
A study published in eLife found that domestication has a consistent effect on the gut microbiota of animals, similar to the effects of industrialisation in human populations. The research highlights the flexibility of the gut microbiota and its ability to respond to ecological changes.
Dogs were likely domesticated from Eurasian wolves around 23,000 years ago, and later accompanied humans to the Americas. Genetic analysis suggests all ancient dogs belonged to a single haplogroup lineage, A2b, which is no longer found in the continent.