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This week-end following the conversations we were having about Charles Darwin and the Origin of Species, Me and my son went to visit the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Botanical Garden of Lisbon.
On this visit we reflect on various aspects of the creation of the solar system, the emergence of life on Earth, evolution to dinosaurs (a subject that always fascinates children)
mass extinction of dinosaurs, evolution of mammals, and of course human evolution and the role of man's best friend, the dog in our evolution.
In our days it is believed that wasn't man who approached the wolf, but the wolves that followed the human groups to take advantage of the debris produced and often not consumed.
As the proximity of the two species were kept, the more likely situation is that the wolves became more docile and trusting, thus ignoring, the basic instincts. Animals that remained with the human groups, had more success in finding food, and therefore to reproduce and keep their young.
From the step to approach human beings and the first adoption that challenged the laws of the natural world, where humans and wolves competed as predators, we can only guess what happened.
With the domestication and adoption of wolves within the human group it is believed to have formed a symbiotic relationship where the Wolf received food, shelter and care from humans, and humans received protection and companionship, which evolves into a mutual aid in the hunt and later in other activities such as herding.
The man really helped in domestication by selecting the most pleasing docile animals and eliminating those with wild characteristics.
The Wolf, is thought to have contributed to man evolution by eliminating the man's need to develop physical senses, like smell to hunt. Also the use of Wolf, or probably at this point we can designate as dog , as a guard and herder, have actually contributed to the domestication of livestock, that in addition to sedentary agriculture, eliminate our physical characteristics required for hunting and fighting.
Archaeology has placed the earliest known domestication at potentially 30,000 BC in Belgium, and with certainty at 7,000 BC.
But it seems that Wolf domestication is older than the archaeological record so far found.
As the human migrated around the world, their dogs migrated with them. Changes to agricultural and urban areas have led to new selections and specializations, such as search and delivery of items, saving people, police dogs, etc. With the new selection was a new specialization of different types of dogs that best suited human needs.
Kennel clubs appeared in the middle of the 19th century as a way to regulate the various breeds, that already existed and were used in competitions.
Today these Kennel Clubs defines the dog breeds standard, which everyone recognizes.
Wolves, ancestors of our dogs have been since the Middle Ages, targeted has demons and systematically exterminated, witch almost led to the disappearance of these magnificent animals.
Let us pray that the future has room for a new harmony between man and wolf.
Other articles:
Monday, August 08, 2011
The role of dogs in Human evolution
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
The prehistoric dog
Not long ago I caught a documentary on BBC about our friend Charles Darwin and his famous theory The Origin of Species.
What is now regarded as obvious at the time gave rise much controversy and disbelief.
But now reflecting on the origin of species, I wonder ... "and our canine friends, how is the tree of evolution?
Ok, doing a little web research and photo summary, I found the following theory of evolution:
Mammals evolution tree:
1) The directly ancestral to all later canids is Hesperocyon
2)Immediately follows the Leptocyon, considered a cousin.
3) Descending immediate from Leptocyon comes Eucyon
It is believed that the first dogs are descendants of Eucyon therefore deserves a comparison with the wolf.
4) One of the first wolves is believed to have lived and competed directly with the large cave lions and saber tooth tigers, and it is called Dire Wolf
5) The oldest dog skull discovered to date is from Goyet Cave, Belgium with 31,700 years old.
They are clearly different from wolves and is thought to be a transition from wolf to dog.
In the end, only a theory of evolution from the wolf (Canis lupus) to the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) can be imagined.
Multiple and Ancient Origins of the Domestic Dog
Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences were analyzed from 162 wolves at 27 localities worldwide and from 140 domestic dogs representing 67 breeds. Sequences from both dogs and wolves showed considerable diversity and supported the hypothesis that wolves were the ancestors of dogs. Most dog sequences belonged to a divergent monophyletic clade sharing no sequences with wolves. The sequence divergence within this clade suggested that dogs originated more than 100,000 years before the present. Associations of dog haplotypes with other wolf lineages indicated episodes of admixture between wolves and dogs. Repeated genetic exchange between dog and wolf populations may have been an important source of variation for artificial selection.
ref: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/276/5319/1687.abstract?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=vila&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
Canid phylogeny tree
Other articles:
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Lisbon Dog Show 2011
Teco, my Australian Shepherd Blue Merle, went back to Lisbon dog show in a new attempt to achieved the QC ... but we come back with the reservation and excellent classification.
Diana, daughter of Teco and Cookie, went with her father to meat new people, since she is still looking for 5 star owners.
Other activities:
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Dog Trekking to Guincho
 On this week-end we went to another dog trekking organized by the association Pé ante Pata. On this dog trekking I went, accompanied by Teco, my Australian Shepherd blue merle, and my sun, accompanied by Bianca, our Golden Retriever.The scene was the wild and natural coast of Cascais, from Malveira da Serra to the beach of Guincho.  The route was through nature, with the smell of the sea, surrounded by raspberries (that we eat ... well at least me, since my son didn't go along with that) and passing through villages, once typical, but now with large houses and mansions to behold and to invoke thoughts of euro millions. Meeting in Malveira da Serra, a village located in the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais, which gives a beauty to this town, located in the proximity of the Atlantic.   Me, my sun, Teco, Australian Shepherd and Bianca, Golden Retriever In the track on background we can see the Forte,   My sun and Bianca, Golden Retriever Visit to Forte Velho do Guincho ou Forte das Velas which stands by the sea between the beach of Guincho and Abano.  In a break at the Forte Velho do Guincho ou Forte das Velas – Cascais – Lisboa with our 4 leg friends Pause to eat in a village at the foot of Malveira da Serra  The group taking a break for eat Walking  The group taking a break to listen to explanations of the guides  My son at the foot of the geodesic mark  Walking ... Another dog trekking successfully completed, with joy in the midst of friendly people and impeccable organization.  The group They left us mouth watering with the possible next trekking, that we hope to attend and discover more about our Portugal. |
Other trips and travel:
- Trip to Fluviário de Mora
- Dog Trekking to Cabo Espichel
- Dog Trekking to a Museum
- Dog trekking in Almada
- Dog Trekking in Serra de Sintra
- Alcochete - goldens and aussies
- Economic Trips with Dogs
- An Australian Shepherd in Salema Beach
- An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island
- Dogs in Meia Praia
- Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
- Two Golden Retriever in Monchique
- A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
- Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
- A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
- A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
- Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Trip to the Fluviário de Mora
In order to enjoy four days of rest and improve our knowledge and culture we decided to visit the Fluviário de Mora.
Since a long car journey was involved I decided to take Teco, Australian Shepherd, and Bianca, Golden Retriever, since their personalities are more fit to long trips in the middle of people in the city.
The city on the way is Montemor-O-Novo and the stop to visit the castle was mandatory. With great regret we found that all museums were closed due to be Monday, so those visits must be made in another time.
After this visit nothing like a stop in the fields of Alentejo for a pick-nick!
Ok! With full bellies, where for dessert we had strawberry and a chocolate crepe with ice cream bought in the city, we travel towards Mora.
On Mora arrival we follow the signs to the Fluviário de Mora.
As expected, the visit was very nice and educational, where the tanks highlights was the realism of the habits, healthy fish and clear waters.
A very rewarding and well spent day ;)
Other trips and travel:
- Dog Trekking to Cabo Espichel
- Dog Trekking to a Museum
- Dog trekking in Almada
- Dog Trekking in Serra de Sintra
- Alcochete - goldens and aussies
- Economic Trips with Dogs
- An Australian Shepherd in Salema Beach
- An Australian Shepherd in Armona Island
- Dogs in Meia Praia
- Silves, a visit to medieval times with Cookie, our Aussie
- Two Golden Retriever in Monchique
- A trip to the São Domingos Mine with our Australian Shepherd
- Taking a Golden Retriever to the fortress of Sagres
- A walk with my Australian Shepherd through Luz, Algarve Portugal
- A Walk with Brad, our Golden Retriever through Lagos
- Portugal Algarve, Amado Beach with our Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
14.º Troféu de Agility FNA/FR - 1º place in class 1
Angel, my crazy red merle Australian Shepherd achieved in agility 1º place in Standard Class 1
Still not the desired excellent ... but a good push to our will to continue to work ;)
My sun, not only enjoy the fair and found more about our agriculture products but also enjoyed a horse ride ;)
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Monday, June 06, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Teco - 1º in Class II
My Australian Shepherd, Teco deserves a reward, since he achieved excelent in Class II of the 3º Obedience Trophy organized by Doggy Clube and accomplished 1º place in his class.
