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VETS1060 > Evolution and Domestication of Dogs and Cats > Flashcards

Evolution and Domestication of Dogs and Cats Flashcards

(47 cards)

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1
Q

What are the 6 domestication criteria?

A
  1. Flexible diet
  2. Reasonable growth rate
  3. Breed in captivity
  4. Pleasant disposition
  5. Steady temperament
  6. Modifiable social hierarchy
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2
Q

What is domestication?

A

The process of developing a [mutually] useful relationship between animals and humans

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3
Q

Domesticated species’ evolutionary process has been influenced by ______ to meet our needs

A

humans

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4
Q

Describe evolution of dogs by elongation

A

Limbs and feet elongated for running

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5
Q

Describe evolution of dogs by teeth

A

Carnassial teeth developed specialised for shearing through meat

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6
Q

Describe evolution of dogs by cranium

A

Cranium and brain expanded with increased intelligence

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7
Q

What is the scientific name for dog

A

Canis lupus familiaris

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8
Q

When were dogs domesticated?

A

Before humans transitioned to agricultural societies

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9
Q

What is the scientific name of dogs’ closest relatives?

A

Canis lupus

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10
Q

What order do wolves belong to?

A

Carnivora

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11
Q

What family are wolves, domestic dogs, foxes, coyotes & dingoes in?

A

Canidae

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12
Q

Which 3 traits is the evolution of dogs characterised by?

A
  1. Elongation of the limbs and feet
  2. Carnassial teeth specialised for shearing
  3. Expanded cranium and brain
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13
Q

What was the name of the first true dog like mammal?

A

Cynodictis

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14
Q

What was the Eurasian branch of Cynodictis known as?

A

Tomarctus

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15
Q

After the evolution of Tomarctus, what is the evolution of dogs tightly linked to?

A

Domestication

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16
Q

Which animal is the only large carnivore that humans have domesticated?

A

Dogs

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17
Q

What are the 6 similarities between dog/wolf packs and human families and societies?

A
  1. Hierarchical order
  2. Work cooperatively
  3. Strong kinship ties
  4. Suspicious of outsiders
  5. Care for & protect young even if not theirs
  6. Refined ability to interpret moods
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18
Q

What remarkable ability have dogs evolved?

A

Ability to read human gestures

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19
Q

What change due to diet have dogs evolved, which gene is responsible?

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A
  • Ability to digest starch
  • Gene for amylase
20
Q

What is the significance of extended eye contact between dogs and humans?

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A

It increases oxytocin levels in both

21
Q

What is left gaze bias?

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A
  • When humans meet a new face, their eyes shift left to settle on the right side of the face
  • Dogs also display left gaze bias only when looking at human faces
22
Q

What was the aim of Belyaev’s experiments in silver foxes?

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A

To understand the process of domestication by selectively breeding silver foxes for tameness

23
Q

Define domestication syndrome

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A

Selection of behavioural traits leads to physical changes

24
Q

What is Paedomorphosis in the domestication of dogs?

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A

Retention of juvenile traits

25
What is Pleiotropy?
One gene affects several traits
26
What is the role of neural crest cells in domestication?
Some phenotypes associated with domestication are similar to those seen in individuals with pathologies in neural crest development
27
In dogs, the _______ processes that influence wild animals are ______ or disrupted
Selection processes; removed
28
Which 4 selection processes of note in wild dogs are removed in domesticated dogs?
1. Reduced fighting between males 2. Fewer males for females to choose between 3. More reliable source of food 4. Fewer predators
29
What is the family of the two extant subfamilies of cat: Pantherinae and Felinae?
Felidae
30
What is the common ancestor of the two extant subfamilies of cat?
*Pseudaelurus*
31
What are the the two extant subfamilies of cat?
Pantherinae and Felinae
32
What was the earliest known Felid?
Proailurus
33
What traits did the earliest known felid have? (4)
1. Binocular vision 2. Specialised carnassial teeth for shearing meat 3. **Protractable** claws (consciously unsheathed) 4. Obligate carnivore
34
Why might felids still be carnivorous?
Their inability to taste sweetness prevents them from identifying energy-rich carbohydrate foods
35
What genetic anomaly do felids share?
Inability to taste sweetness
36
What are the physical characteristics of modern Felids? (6)
1. Lithe & flexible bodies with muscular limbs 2. Tail is [usually] between a third & a half the length of the body 3. Protractable claws (sheathed in relaxed state) 4. Skull highly domed with a short muzzle 5. Wide zygomatic arches & a large sagittal crest 6. Attachment of strong masticatory muscles
37
Can domesticated interbreed with their wild cousins?
Yes
38
What are 2 examples of domesticated cats interbreeding with their wild cousins?
Savannah and Bengal cats
39
Which common ancestor are all domestic cats descended from?
Near Eastern wildcat *Felis sylvestris lybica*
40
How were early domestic cats identified archaeologically? (3)
1. Relatively small size compared to feral cats 2. Presence outside of their normal range 3. Burials, collars, adornments
41
How were cats introduced to Britain?
Phoenician traders (1500-300 BC) exported cats from Egypt to the British Isles in exchange for tin
42
How were cats introduced to Ancient Rome?
Smuggled out of Egypt, a symbol of liberty
43
Significance of cats in Ancient Japan
​​Protection of treasured manuscripts in temples from rodent attack - Two cats in each temple
44
What led to the significant increase in rat population in Europe?
During the Middle Ages (5th-15th Centuries), cats (especially black) were demonised and killed
45
How many registered breeds of cat are there currently?
43
46
What was the earliest & most important change in cats in Europe?
Development of tabby patterning
47
What is long hair in cats the result of?
A spontaneous mutation that became fixed through inbreeding in an isolated & cold environment

VETS1060 (22 decks)

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