From which animal did the dog descend? - briefly
The modern dog is believed to have descended from the gray wolf (Canis lupus). This descent occurred through a process of domestication that began around 15,000 years ago.
From which animal did the dog descend? - in detail
The evolutionary origin of the domestic dog is a subject of considerable scientific interest and debate. To understand from which animal the dog descended, one must delve into the complex web of evolution and speciation.
The consensus among scientists is that dogs are descendants of wolves. More specifically, the gray wolf (Canis lupus) is recognized as the closest wild ancestor of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). This conclusion is supported by a wealth of genetic evidence, which reveals a high degree of similarity between the DNA of modern dogs and that of gray wolves.
Studies on mitochondrial DNA, in particular, have shown that dogs share a common maternal ancestor with gray wolves. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother, making it possible to trace the matrilineal lineage of species. The genetic data suggests that there was a single lineage of wolves that gave rise to all modern dogs.
The timing of this divergence is also well-documented. Scientific research indicates that the split between wolves and dogs occurred approximately 15,000 to 40,000 years ago. This period coincides with the transition from the Pleistocene epoch to the Holocene epoch, a time when humans were beginning to settle into more sedentary lifestyles and domesticate various animal species.
The process of dog domestication is believed to have occurred through a selective breeding process by early human communities. Humans likely favored wolves that exhibited certain desirable traits, such as docility, loyalty, and usefulness in tasks like hunting or guarding. Over time, these selected traits were reinforced and amplified, leading to the emergence of distinct dog breeds.
In summary, the domestic dog descended from the gray wolf (Canis lupus). Genetic evidence supports this conclusion, showing a close relationship between the two species. The domestication process likely began around 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, driven by human selection for desirable traits in wolves. This evolutionary journey has resulted in the remarkable diversity of dog breeds we see today.