BI463: Mammal Domestication

What defines domestication?

Species bred in captivity to benefit a human community that control its breeding, organization, territory, and food supply.

When did humans transition from hunter/gatherers to an agricultural lifestyle?

End of Ice Age

With increase of agriculture, what become more common

domestication of mammals

What mammals were the first to be domesticated for food?

Goat and Sheep (~10,000 ya)

What are characteristics of domesticated mammals?

Flexible diet and environmental requirements, Highly social behavior, Easily maintained for food or other products, Easily bred in captivity, closely herded

About how many mammal species have been domesticated?

6,400 mammal species, 25 have been domesticated

What was the first domesticated animal

dog

Why were dog domesticated?

- Aided in hunting, predators detection, and provided companionship

- Complete separation from wild counterparts

- Dogs probably shared a common ancestor (extinct Siberian wolf) with modern gray wolf

- Not a source of food or products

- About 150 domesticated dog breeds

Domesticated goats derived from ______.

Bezoar ibex

Domesticated Sheep derived from ______.

Asiatic mouflon

________ are the most important livestock due to large size and many products

Cattle

Earliest domesticated cattle in _______ from SE Europe and W Asia

~8000 ya

Cattle probably descend from ______ or ______.

giant wild ox or aurochs

Pig domesticated from ______.

wild boars

Where were pigs first domesticated?

Middle East and west Asia

When and where were horses first domesticated?

~4000 ya in Ukraine

When/Where did the Donkey originate from (species, location, and time)?

Originated from African, domesticated from the African wild ass ~4000 ya

When/Where/What did the cat originate from?

Domesticated in Egypt at least 3000 ya. Descended from African wildcat

What is unusual about cats compared to other domestic mammals?

Cats exhibit expectations to the common characteristics of domesticated mammals (Not highly social, Diet not very flexible, No valuable products)

When/Where/What did the Camelidae originate from?

Found in old and new world

Dromedary and Bactrian camel ~ 5000 ya

New world camels 6000-7000 ya

What are some effect of Domestication?

- Smaller body size, shorter skulls, and reduced dentition

- Smaller brains

- Greater variety of colors and patterns

- More submissive behavior patterns

- Slower reactions and flight responses

- Often greater reproductive potential

Elephants and Reindeer are considered ________ rather than domesticated

exploited captives