Another new study published in Nature Communications shows follows along with the prior post and shows that ancestral dogs were ambush hunters that evolved from forest dwelling animals similar to a mongoose (or a cat).
These early ancestors to dogs were ambush predators. The image shows Hesperocyon (left) and later Sunkahetanka (right). Image from Discovery News, by Mauricio Anton
An international team of researchers studied archived samples of elbows and teeth of multiple species of dogs that lived between 40 - 2 million years ago. According to a quote from study author Dr. Christine Janis published in Discovery News, “The elbow is a really good proxy for what carnivores are doing with their forelimbs, which tells their entire locomotion repertoire.” Early canines had elbows that could swivel to allow the animals to grab or wrestle with prey whereas later elbows became more downward-facing, an advantage for long-distance runs or pursuits. Their teeth also became stronger with time to perhaps hold onto prey more effectively in their new grassy environments.
From their analyses they concluded that as the forests became grasslands (due to climate changes) canines transformed from ambush hunters into "pursuit-pounce" predators.
While climate change may have played a role in the evolution of dogs, I still think cats are to blame.
Sources
Figueirido B, Martin-Serra A, Tseng ZJ, Janis CM. Habitat changes and changing predatory habits in North American fossil canids. Nature Communications. 6: 7976, 2015. doi:10.1038/ncomms8976
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This is another one migrated from my old blog. It is the first in a series that generated an unusually large number of comments. Thanks, PalMD
Nature study has taken a turn from the macroscopic to the microscopic.
I woke up this morning, feeling faint and ill, but I had to get to the library for free wireless so I could write on my blog.
Some days it seems the universe is trying to tell you something. The last few days, this has apparently been something to do with clothing:
Mr.Dolittle You are right Climate change have driven dog evolution in a study printed in Nature Communications, researchers report that supported the analysis of wolf and dog remains geological dating back to forty million years past, it's possible that the animals developed their distinctive approach to looking in response to changes in their habitat.Find environment products here http://environment.exportersindia.com/
The pursuit-pounce predator approach certainly applies to our German shepherd and her play as opposed to our Golden Retriever and his play (always involving a ball of some kind.)