Similar rates of morphological evolution in domesticated and wild pigs and dogs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Whether the great morphological disparity of domesticated forms is the result of uniformly higher evolutionary rates compared to the wild populations is debated. We provide new data on changes of skull dimensions within historical time periods in wild and domesticated dogs and pigs to test if domestication might lead to an accelerated tempo of evolution in comparison to the wild conspecifics. Darwins and Haldanes were used to quantify evolutionary rates. Comparisons with evolutionary rates in other species and concerning other characteristics from the literature were conducted.

Results

Newly gathered and literature data show that most skull dimensions do not change faster in domesticated breeds than in wild populations, although it is well known that there is exte

SUBMITTER: Geiger M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5966889 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature