Genetics Confirm Origin of Dogs

 

Recent research has shown that the modern domesticated canine's are genetically linked to ancestors from southern East Asia.  Previous research has generated theories placing the location as the middle east, however, Dr. Peter Savolainen, has confirmed otherwise.   Using Y-chromosomal DNA, the lineage can be traced back to the first domesticated wolves south of the Yangtze River in Asia.  According to Savolainen, half of the gene pool was universally shared in the world' while the particular region of interest, had genetic diversity.  In another string of studies, Savolainen along with a student and Iranian and Turkish scientists performed a comprehensive study of mitochondrial DNA.  Being that it is solely inherited b the mother, it was essential in studying evolutionary relationships, all of which were supported by the new findings.  The idea of the Middle East being the original "domestication grounds" could have seemingly been derived from the fact that research shows that domesticated wolves from southern asia were cross breaded with dogs from that and other regions.