The origins of modern dogs have long puzzled scientists. A team of American researchers recently shed new light on this question by using computer simulations to explore the evolution of wolves into dogs.
These scientists, from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the University of Tennessee, and Valparaiso University, developed a mathematical model to simulate this evolutionary process. Their study, published in the
Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggests that wolves may have domesticated themselves and evolved into modern dogs in a relatively short time.
Illustration image from Pixabay
Previous research estimated that the domestication of wolves would have taken too long to explain the current closeness between humans and dogs. However, this new study shows that, under certain conditions, wolves could have evolved into dogs in just 8,000 years. The simulations revealed that this transformation occurred between 37% and 74% of the time, depending on environmental conditions.
The researchers used mathematical models to simulate evolution over 15,000 years. They took into account various factors, such as the availability of food provided by humans and the selective breeding of the most docile wolves. These simulations provided a better understanding of how wolves might have approached humans, either to take advantage of food scraps or because humans adopted the friendliest wolf pups.
This study reinforces the idea that the domestication of dogs could be the result of coevolution between wolves and humans. The results show that the favorable conditions for this transformation were likely met several thousand years ago, thus allowing dogs to become the loyal companions we know today.
The researchers also emphasized that their model could be used to study other evolutionary processes. This innovative approach opens new perspectives for understanding how species interact and evolve over time.
Finally, this study highlights the importance of computer simulations in scientific research. By reproducing scenarios, researchers can explore hypotheses that would otherwise be difficult to test. This shows how technology can help us unravel the mysteries of evolution.
How did wolves domesticate themselves?
The domestication of wolves is a process that likely involved several factors. The most docile and least aggressive wolves would have been more inclined to approach humans to take advantage of their food scraps. Over time, these wolves would have developed behavioral traits more suited to living near humans.
Selective breeding also played a crucial role. The friendliest wolves had a better chance of reproducing with each other, thus passing on their docility traits to their offspring. This process gradually led to the emergence of more sociable and less fearful dogs.
Computer simulations showed that this process could have taken place in just 8,000 years, which is relatively fast on an evolutionary scale. This suggests that the favorable conditions for domestication were likely met several thousand years ago.
Finally, this domestication was probably mutually beneficial. Humans could take advantage of dogs for hunting, guarding, and companionship, while dogs benefited from a stable food source and protection from predators.
What role do computer simulations play in scientific research?
Computer simulations have become an essential tool for researchers in evolutionary biology. They allow for the modeling of processes that would be difficult to observe directly in nature. Using mathematical models, scientists can explore different hypotheses and predict the outcomes of various scenarios.
In this study, the researchers used simulations to reproduce 15,000 years of evolution. They were able to adjust parameters such as food availability and selective breeding to see how these factors influenced the evolution of wolves into dogs.
Computer simulations open new perspectives for studying other evolutionary processes. They allow researchers to better understand how species interact and evolve over time, providing valuable insights for biology and ecology.