Top dogs: wolf domestication and wealth.
A phylogeographic analysis of gene sequences important in determining body size in dogs, recently published in BMC Biology, traces the appearance of small body size to the Neolithic Middle East. This finding strengthens the association of this event with the development of sedentary societies, and perhaps even has implications for the inception of human social inequality.
Driscoll
Carlos A
CA
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon OX135QL, UK.
Macdonald
David W
DW
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000235:genetics*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry; D004285:Dogs; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors / Q000266:history*; D019596:Wolves / Q000235:genetics*
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial