Week 10: Dog Evolution Case Study Flashcards
what is Morphology
“Morphology” refers to the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.
what does the phrase “Phylogenies can be based on morphology” mean
Similarity of many morphological characteristics are used (color, size, structure, etc.)
Most recent phylogenies are based on what?
molecular similarities
E.g., similarities of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences
More similarities (i.e., fewer dissimilarities) =
a closer relationship
list 3 Morphological comparisons between wolves and dogs
Dogs tend to have curled tails
wolves have straight tails.
Dogs tend to have smooth short coats.
Skull shape differs.
Gray wolves and dogs differ by no more
than _____% in their mtDNA sequence.
0.2
gray wolves and coyotes differ
by at least ____% in their mtDNA sequence
4
what are the two Competing hypotheses of how dogs evolved from wolves
1) Ancestral wolf pups were domesticated intentionally by early humans – Artificial selection.
2) Ancestral wolf populations experienced natural selection forces that favored dog- like characteristics.
what is the argument for the “artificial selection” hypotheses of how dogs evolved from wolves
It makes intuitive sense that ancestral wolves could be domesticated easily since they are so dog-like. Early humans would have intentionally bred ancestral wolves.
what is the argument against the “artificial selection” hypotheses of how dogs evolved from wolves
Why would any human want to deal with an
animal that avoids humans?
Modern wolves cannot be “domesticated” by training alone. It takes intensive and sophisticated selective breeding.
what is the argument for the “natural selection” hypotheses of how dogs evolved from wolves
Canids are very resourceful & would have found human waste piles good foraging – wolves were living close to humans.
Wolves are shy, skittish animals – only “adventurous” wolves would have stayed close to the waste piles while humans were around.
The “adventurous” wolves were the best fed and hence had high fitness.
What characteristic is being selected for in the ancestral wolf population under the “natural selection hypotheses”
A. Ability to interact with humans.
B. Capability of eating human waste.
C. Behaviors that lead to tolerance of humans being around.
D. Inability to run away from humans.
C. Behaviors that lead to tolerance of humans being around.
what is an new adaptation that dogs have taken up to manipulate us:
puppy-dog eyes
what are Coywolves
Coywolves, also known as eastern coyotes,
are canids that are a hybrid between coyotes (Canis latrans) and eastern wolves (Canis lycaon) or, in some cases, gray wolves (Canis lupus).
