domestication & pastoralism

define domestication

sustained, multi-generational, mutualistic relationship where humans control reproduction, care, and protection of a species, causing genetic change over time

what two key elements must domestication inclue?

1.human control over repro

2.multi-generational genetic change in the domesticated population

what benefits do humans receive from domestication?

Reliable food, fiber, labor, companionship, increased fitness and survival, and economic security

what benefits do animals receive from domestication?

Protection from predators, consistent food, care, shelter, and increased reproductive success

what is a domesticated animal?

genetically changed through human selection (dogs, cows)

what is a tamed animal?

wild animal trained to tolerate humans (alligator esa)

what is a wild animal?

no human influence on reproduction or genetics

what does ant-aphid illustrate?

mutualism → ants protect aphids, collect honeydew, and prevent wings from developing, similar to how humans manage domesticated animals.

steps in domestication process

Capture → breeding in captivity → isolation from wild population → selective breeding → genetic change

three main routes to domestication?

commensal, prey, directed

commensal pathway

animals live near humans voluntarily, eventually integrated (dogs, cats, chickens)

prey pathway

Humans manage prey species for food, later herd them (sheep, goats, pigs, cattle)

directed pathway

Humans intentionally domesticate species for new uses (horses for transport, camels for carrying loads)

what does the Routes of Domestication diagram show?

How different species followed commensal, prey, or directed pathways from wild to domesticated status

what species was domesticated first and when?

Dogs, ~30,000–15,000 BCE in Eurasia

major domestication dates

• Dogs: 30,000–15,000 BCE

• Sheep: ~9000 BCE

• Goats: ~8500 BCE

• Pigs & Cattle: ~8300 BCE

• Cats: ~7500 BCE

• Llamas: ~4000 BCE

• Horses: ~3500 BCE

• Camels: 2000–1000 BCE

• Turkey: ~0 CE

• ducks: ~1000 CE
  

why are certain regions called “fortunate areas”?

right species available at the right time, enabling early domestication (e.g., Fertile Crescent)

what physical evidence shows an animal was domesticated?

• More female skeletons than males (selective culling).

• Reduced body size compared to wild ancestors.

• Changes in horns, teeth, or bone shape.
  

what genetic evidence shows domestication?

reduced genetic diversity (bottlenecks), evidence of selection for tameness or productivity

what six traits make a species good for domestication?

1. Diet humans can easily provide (herbivore/omnivore).

2. Docile, not overly aggressive.

3. Calm temperament, not prone to panic.

4. Breeds easily in captivity.

5. Rapid growth and short generation time.

6. Clear social hierarchy (humans can assume dominant role).

Why were only 14 of 148 large herbivores/omnivores domesticated?

Most had one or more disqualifying traits (aggressive, too picky eaters, slow reproduction, no social hierarchy).

Give examples of animals that failed domestication and why

• Zebra: aggressive, bites and kicks, hard to tame.

• Antelope: high flight response, panic easily.

• Panda: specialized diet, low reproductive rate.

What wild species are dogs descended from?

Canis lupus (gray wolf)

What made some wolves suitable for domestication?

Less aggressive, smaller-bodied individuals were more tolerant of humans, leading to early partnerships

What did dogs contribute to human survival?

Enhanced hunting (tracking prey), guarding camps, alerting to danger, and helping with pest control.

What did humans contribute to dogs?

Shelter, food, protection, and social structure — improving survival and reproduction

Define neoteny and how it applies to dogs.

-Retention of juvenile traits into adulthood

-bred for puppy-like appearance and behavior (large eyes, short snouts, playful nature)

What new roles did dogs take on in the Neolithic era?

Herding livestock, guarding animals, hauling loads, acting as sentinels

How many modern dog breeds exist?

Nearly 400, created by intensifying desired traits (herding ability, companionship) and minimizing unwanted behaviors

Why were sheep and goats domesticated early?

Provided meat, milk, fiber, and hides — high economic value and easy to herd

What is unique about goat domestication?

Six wild bezoar lineages contributed to modern domestic goats

How many domestication events occurred for cattle?

Two: Bos taurus taurus (humpless) and Bos taurus indicus (humped)

Where and when were pigs domesticated?

Multiple independent domestications in Anatolia, East Asia, Europe, and India.

What is the “Secondary Products Revolution”?

Shift to using animals not just for meat but for milk, traction (plowing), fiber, hides, and manure.

How did animal domestication affect property concepts?

Animals became property, creating wealth accumulation, inheritance systems, and early inequality

Define pastoralism

The practice of moving livestock seasonally to follow grazing opportunities

How is pastoralism different from farming?

Farming keeps animals in one place, pastoralism is mobile and follows pasture availability

How common is pastoralism today?

 ~268 million pastoralists in Africa, covering 43% of the continent’s landmass.

What conflicts are tied to pastoralism?

Land rights disputes, fencing conflicts, competition with commercial farming, overgrazing.

 How did domestication change human diets?

Increased grain consumption, reduced diversity, leading to dental disease and nutritional deficiencies

What are “crowd diseases,” and why did they appear?

Diseases like smallpox, measles, influenza — arose from high-density living with animals.

What is one argument about domesticated animals’ cognition?

domestication lowered cognitive ability compared to wild relatives due to selection for docility

What ethical responsibilities come with domestication?

ensure welfare, prevent suffering, and balance use of animals for food vs companionship

What do slides showing livestock vs pets highlight?

Different moral frameworks for animals — some seen as companions, others as property/resources.