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Unexpected morphological diversity in ancient dogs compared to modern relatives
Colline Brassard1,2, Adrian Bălăşescu3, Rose-Marie Arbogast4
1AASPE-UMR 7209, CNRS-Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|May 18, 2022
Summary
Early dogs showed significant mandible variation before the Bronze Age, but less than modern dogs, indicating limited human selection. Their jaw shapes differed, possibly due to diet or roles like hunting.
Area of Science:
- Paleogenomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Archaeology
Background:
- The Neolithic transition may have driven early dog morphological diversification.
- Understanding early dog (Canis lupus familiaris) variability is crucial for their domestication history.
Observation:
- 525 ancient European dog mandibles (8100–3000 BC) were compared to modern dogs, wolves, and dingoes.
- Three-dimensional geometric morphometrics quantified mandible form.
- Ancient dogs exhibited notable variability but less than modern dogs.
Findings:
- Significant mandible morphological variability existed in European dogs before the Bronze Age.
- Ancient dogs lacked the extreme morphologies (e.g., brachycephalic, dolichocephalic) seen in modern dogs.
- Lower covariation between mandible parts in ancient dogs suggests less intentional selection.
Implications:
- Early dog populations possessed substantial morphological diversity.
- Differences in mandible form may reflect dietary adaptations or specific roles (hunting, defense).
- This study provides insights into early dog evolution and human-dog interactions.
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