The Horse Domesticated

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to the domestication and evolution of horses as discussed in the lecture notes.

Equus

The genus of animals that includes modern horses, zebras, and donkeys.

Domestication

The process by which wild animals are adapted to live with humans.

Genetic diversity

The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Inbreeding

Breeding between closely related individuals, resulting in a decreased genetic diversity.

Selection

The process of choosing certain traits over others for reproduction.

Mya

Million years ago; a term used in paleontology and geology to indicate the age of fossils.

Pleistocene

The geological epoch in which modern humans first appeared, characterized by glacial and interglacial periods.

Rudimentary Selection

Early methods of selecting breeding animals based on desirable traits like calmness and submission.

Cognitive function

The mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning.

Functional targets

Specific attributes or capabilities in an organism that are selected for through breeding.

Diversification

The process of a species developing and evolving into different forms or breeds.

Breeding for speed

The practice of selecting horses primarily for their ability to run fast, often leading to physical fragility.

Cost of Domestication

Accumulation of genetic issues arising from breeding practices that favor specific traits over genetic health.

Alleviation of functional issues

Addressing or reducing problems in animals resulting from selective breeding.

Adaptability

The ability of an organism to adjust to changes in its environment.