Domestic Dog Breeds and Artificial Selection
Evolution of the Many Varieties of Canis Domesticus
What Is a Species?
A species is a group of animals that can breed together and produce fertile offspring. Each different species has a Latinized name, which includes the genus, or generic, name followed by the species, or specific, name.
All living things, and even some viruses, have a scientific name. Humans are known as Homo sapiens. Domestic dogs belong in the genus Canis (which also includes wolves, coyotes and jackals). The species name domesticus applies specifically to domestic dogs.
All of today's domestic dogs originated from an ancestral, wolf-like canid. But how have humans created so many dogs that are so wildly difference in size, general appearance and temperament. The answer has something to do with evolution.
Artificial Selection and the Evolution of Fido
Natural Selection
In nature, natural selection is the driving force of evolution, or genetic change in a population over time. This is the process by which only the organisms that are best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics to the next generation. Individuals less well adapted to their environment tend to be eliminated. In the natural world, the struggle for life and legacy (leaving offspring) is what determines the course of evolution though natural selection.
Artificial Selection
Artificial selection is when it is not the natural environment, but rather humans, manipulating the genetics of an organism by purposely selecting for certain traits. Just like all organisms, dogs differ from each other genetically. Some of those genetic traits are expressed as physical or temperamental features.
Over time, the dog breeders who want a domestic to have certain characteristics (a flat-faced, squat English Bulldog or a diminutive Chihuahua), act as the genetic shapers by breeding dogs that have the traits that they want to encourage from generation to generation.
Sources
Campbell, N. & Reece J. (2002) Biology, 6th Edition. Benjamin Cummings.
The PBS Evolution Science Resource
Los Angeles Natural History Museum Dogs and Artificial Selection Page
Published by Tami Port, MS
After completing a bachelor's degree in biology and masters degree in psychology, Tami wandered into zoo keeping, copywriting, herb farming, pharmaceutical sales, and finally teaching. She's currently an adj... View profile
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