Articles tagged with Animal Domestication
Domestic horses probably did not originate in Anatolia, according to a new study of ancient horse remains. The researchers found that nonlocal genetic lineages appeared suddenly in about 2000 BCE, suggesting an origin in nearby Black Sea regions.
A study using isotopic analysis reveals that ancient cats in Central Europe had a synanthropic diet, suggesting close human-cat relations. The findings indicate that cats first migrated to the region from the Near East around 4,200-2,300 BC.
Researchers analyzed ancient cat remains to determine the diet and ecology of early European cats. The study found that while Near Eastern cats may have accompanied farmers to Europe, they did not yet rely on humans for food.
Research found that owner behavior, rather than internal principles like the principle of least effort, affects the effort and accuracy of dogs' showing. Owners who encouraged their dog to show where a toy was hidden increased effort but decreased accuracy.
A study published in Evolution Letters found that dog breeds do not exhibit the expected correlation between their physical traits and behavior, contradicting earlier hypotheses. This challenges our understanding of the domestication process and highlights the need to distinguish between domestication traits and improvement traits.
A new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science found evidence consistent with dog domestication during the ice age through dental microwear analysis on 28,500-year-old fossil teeth. The research identified distinct diets for two groups of canids, one dog-like and one wolf-like.
Researchers observe wolf puppies retrieving balls and responding to social cues from unfamiliar humans in a surprising display of cognitive abilities. This finding suggests that ancestral variation may have contributed to human-directed play behavior in dogs.
Researchers found that dogs and wolves perform equally well in coordinating their actions to obtain rewards, indicating shared basic cooperation abilities. The study suggests that these skills were present in the dog-wolf ancestor and have not been lost during domestication.
A new genome-wide analysis uncovers the complex origins of domestic cattle by comparing ancient and modern genomes. The study reveals that multiple strains of wild auroch contributed to the growth of domesticated cows.
Researchers found that ancient plants coevolved with megafaunal grazers to disperse their seeds, making them easy to harvest. The discovery sheds light on the early domestication of small-seeded grain crops like quinoa and amaranth.
A study using over 76,000 dog data reveals that behavioural traits associated with the domestication syndrome, such as sociability and playfulness, are not correlated in modern breeds. In contrast, ancient breeds like Siberian Huskies show strong correlations between these traits.
A genetic study uncovers that pre-contact American dogs originated from Siberian ancestors, not native wolves, and were introduced to the region through Beringia. Meanwhile, ancient goat domestication in the Near East involved multiple wild sources and selective breeding for traits like color.
The study found that horses were first domesticated by hunter-gatherer groups in Kazakhstan, leading to the spread of Indo-European languages across Eurasia. The researchers also showed that language spread was not limited to population migration, but also occurred through cultural contact and absorption.
A study of 20 ancient horses found they are direct ancestors of Przewalski's horses, contrary to previous thought. Their return to a wild state led to changes such as the loss of leopard spotting and night blindness.
A genomic study of ancient and modern horses reveals that the Botai horses, who lived on Central Asian steppes 5,500 years ago, did not contribute to the modern domesticated horse population. However, seven Przewalski's horses, an endangered feral group, show a connection to the original Botai group.
A new study has found that Przewalski's horses are not the last wild horse species, but rather feral, descended from the earliest-known instance of horse domestication by the Botai people in northern Kazakhstan. The research also reveals that modern domesticated horses did not descend from these early domesticated horses.
Researchers have found that the Botai horses from Kazakhstan are not the ancestors of modern domesticated breeds but rather the ancestors of wild Przewalski horses. The study also revealed that there are no surviving purely wild horses, and the earliest domestic horses gave rise to feral populations.
Researchers found that wolves excelled in cooperative behavior compared to dogs, even when raised together under similar conditions. The study suggests that domestication may not have increased tolerance and cooperation among dogs as expected.
A study by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna found that wolves demonstrate a better understanding of cause and effect than dogs. In experiments, wolves correctly identified causal cues such as noise produced by an object containing food when shaken, whereas dogs did not.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that all contemporary dogs have a common origin and emerged through a single domestication process of wolves. The research team analyzed the DNA of two prehistoric dogs from Germany and found that their genomes were the probable ancestors of modern European dogs.
Researchers used Diamond Light Source's synchrotron facility to study seed coat thinning in horsegram, a bean commonly eaten in southern India. The high-resolution X-ray computed tomography technique showed that domestication occurred between 2000 BC and 1200 BC.
Modern domestic cats are derived from the African wildcat, with genetic analyses tracing back to ancient Egypt and the Near East. The study reveals that both lineages contributed to the genomes of European cats.
A recent study found that domesticated cats descend from the African wildcat or Felis silvestris lybica subspecies. The origins of cat domestication are attributed to the Near East and ancient Egypt around 10,000 years ago, where farmers welcomed wildcats to control rodents.
Researchers sequenced the genome of 13 ancient Scythian stallions and 1 mare, uncovering diversity in coat coloration patterns and genetic traits valued by breeders. The study suggests that Scythian breeders maintained natural herd structures and selected horses with robust morphologies.
Analyses of 14 ancient horse genomes reveal that domestication led to changes in forelimbs and coat colors, as well as the presence of genetic variants associated with milk production for human consumption. The study suggests that early domestication was not limited to a small group of stallions but involved multiple founders.
Researchers found that human settlement led to the dominant presence of house mice in the Middle East around 15,000 years ago. The populations of house mice rose and fell based on human mobility patterns, out-competing wild mice in some areas.
Genomic analyses reveal that Mongolian yaks are derived from cattle, with a genetic heritage of about 1.5% of their genome coming from domesticated cattle. The study also found that yak breeders selected for polledness in the early stages of domestication, leading to the loss of horns and exploiting this trait worldwide.
Researchers discovered evidence of cereal domestication at Tell Qarassa North archaeological site, revealing advanced farming communities and varying domestication rates across regions. The study provides crucial insights into the origins of agriculture and its impact on human societies.
Researchers have selectively bred domesticated rat strains to exhibit tame behavior, with no instances of biting reported. The study also reveals hormonal responses and sex differences in aggression between male and female rats, shedding light on the physiological changes during domestication.
A new study reveals that human activity has shaped the world's landscapes for thousands of years, leading to significant extinctions and ecosystem changes. The research highlights four major phases of human impact, including global expansion, agriculture, island colonization, and urbanization.
A new study reveals a deep split in the genetic data of ancient European and East Asian dogs, suggesting two independent dog domestication events occurred thousands of years apart. The findings support the idea that dogs were domesticated separately in Europe and Central Asia, with some breeds showing mixed ancestry from both regions.
A new paper proposes that dogs were domesticated independently from two distinct wolf populations on opposite sides of the Eurasian continent. Genetic analysis reveals a genetic separation between modern dog populations in East Asia and Europe.
Researchers found that dromedaries' genetic diversity is linked to their use as transportation animals. The animals' high genetic diversity was maintained due to regular gene flow from different populations.
A UCLA-led study analyzed genome sequences of wolves, wild dogs, and domesticated dogs to find that domestication may have led to a rise in harmful genetic changes. This could be due to temporary population bottlenecks during breeding for desirable traits.
Researchers uncover the genetic mechanism behind the Dun pattern, a unique coat color variant that provides camouflage in wild horses. The study reveals a single gene, TBX3, determines Dun versus non-Dun color, with implications for understanding horse domestication and skin/hair development.
A study has revealed that domesticated cattle have a more complex ancestry than previously thought, with some breeds sharing genetic similarities with ancient British aurochs. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary history of European cattle breeds.
Researchers sequenced the complete genomes of 11 Przewalski's horses, including museum specimens, and compared them to domesticated horses. The findings show that captivity led to lower genetic diversity, increased inbreeding, and gene variants from domesticated individuals.
Researchers at Linköping University found that domesticated animals grew faster and laid larger eggs when selected for reduced fear of humans. The study used red junglefowl and bred them over five generations to demonstrate the link between tameness and desirable traits.
Researchers used dynamical systems theory to understand the origins of plant and animal domestication. They found that changes in resource density, mobility, and population size brought societies closer to or further away from adopting food production. This insight may help explain why farming emerged in some places at different times.
A recent study using whole genome sequencing of ancient and modern horses has identified 125 candidate genes involved in physical and behavioral traits. The research also highlights the 'cost of domestication', including increased levels of inbreeding and deleterious mutations in domesticated horses.
Researchers analyzed the cat genome to understand domestication, finding changes in genes related to memory, fear, and reward-seeking. They also discovered genetic signatures associated with desirable traits such as docility and unique hair patterns.
Researchers studied genetic variation in wild and domesticated rabbits to understand the domestication process. The study found that genes controlling brain development and nervous system were key to transforming wild rabbits into tame ones.
Researchers have identified key genetic changes responsible for rabbit domestication, including modifications to brain and nervous system development. The study shows that small changes in many genes led to the inhibition of the strong flight response in domestic rabbits.
A new hypothesis proposes that breeding for tameness causes changes in diverse traits, including floppier ears, patches of white fur, and more juvenile faces, due to impaired development or migration of neural crest cells. This unified explanation ties together several components of the domestication syndrome.
Researchers propose that domestic dogs assisted early humans in killing mammoths, explaining the sudden appearance of massive mammoth kill sites. The hypothesis suggests that dogs' hunting skills and ability to guard carcasses increased human success rates.
Recent research suggests that domestication may be more complex than previously thought, with many species being domesticated less than expected. Studies on animal and plant domestication highlight the limitations of human agency in shaping organisms through selective breeding.
Recent research on large herbivore domestication reveals little control of breeding and significant gene flow, challenging traditional assumptions. This lack of genetic isolation threatens livestock diversity and survival in the face of climate change and disease.
Researchers have found a genetic connection between chickens and chili peppers, suggesting that the latter were domesticated around the same time as humans. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used DNA analysis to reveal that yellow-skinned chickens became common only about 500 years ago.
A team of University of Missouri researchers completed the genetic history of 134 cattle breeds worldwide, revealing that ancient domesticated African cattle originated in the Fertile Crescent region. This finding proves that cattle were brought to Africa as farmers migrated south and interbred with wild aurochs.
A team of researchers found that ancient domesticated African cattle originated in the Fertile Crescent region nearly 10,000 years ago. The genetic history of 134 cattle breeds worldwide reveals mixing and admixture between native and imported breeds.
The study sheds light on the genetic overlap between modern dogs and wolves, suggesting interbreeding after dog domestication. Dogs are more closely related to each other than wolves, regardless of geographic origin, indicating a shared ancestry that diverged in recent past.
Researchers found evidence of cat domestication in ancient China, tracing it back to farmers 5,300 years ago. The study analyzed bones from excavated sites and discovered that cats were attracted to rodents and other small animals in farming villages.
A recent study found that wolves and dogs can learn where to find food by observing a human or dog demonstrator. This suggests that the ability to learn from others was already present in wolf ancestors, which prehistoric humans could then build on. The researchers' findings provide new insights into the domestication of dogs.
Ancient European wolves are genetically linked to modern dogs, contradicting earlier research suggesting a Middle Eastern origin. Dogs derived from wolves that inhabited Europe and are now extinct.
Research reveals morphological and genetic evidence for cattle management in north-eastern China around 10,000 years ago. The discovery of an ancient cattle jaw with unique wear patterns and genetic signatures suggests that humans may have started domesticating cows in more regions than previously believed.
A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that Texas Longhorns are direct descendants of cattle brought over by Columbus in 1493, with an 85% taurine genome from the Middle East. The breed's genetic diversity is partially responsible for their resilience to harsh climatic conditions.
Researchers mapped genetic differences between domesticated fungus Aspergillus oryzae and its wild relative, finding extensive genome remodeling. The study suggests microbes undergo metabolic changes for desired functions rather than growth and form alterations.
Researchers have discovered ancient domesticated caprines at Leopard Cave in Namibia, dated to the end of the first millennium BC. The findings provide new insights into the origins of domestication and herding practices in southern Africa.
Research in the Eurasian Steppes reveals horse domestication originated from a single founder population, with herds restocked with wild horses as they spread across Eurasia. The large number of female lineages in the domestic horse gene pool is explained by later introductions of local wild mares.
A genetic study has traced cattle back to a small herd of approximately 80 animals domesticated around 10,500 years ago. The research used DNA extracted from ancient cattle bones found in Iranian archaeological sites to determine the origins of domestication.