Unraveling the mysteries of dog evolution.
The increased battery of molecular markers, derived from comparative genomics, is aiding our understanding of the genetics of domestication. The recent BMC Biology article pertaining to the evolution of small size in dogs is an example of how such methods can be used to study the origin and diversification of the domestic dog. We are still challenged, however, to appreciate the genetic mechanisms responsible for the phenotypic diversity seen in 'our best friend'.
Honeycutt
Rodney L
RL
Department of Biology, National Science Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90263-4321, USA. rodney.honeycutt@pepperdine.edu
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004285:Dogs / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*