Scientific Article for Students

Abstract

Scientists recently discovered an 18,000-year-old preserved canine puppy. Could this incredible discovery be the earliest dog ever uncovered? And could he help us understand more about the origins of dogs and wolves?

We studied 70 ancient wolf specimens and found some possible answers. Dogs appear to have come from two separate ancient wolf populations. We believe that there are two possibilities for how this could have happened. By analyzing the DNA of ancient wolves, we can better understand wolves and dogs who live today!

Share this Article

About this Article

Reading Level
Scientific Topic
Key Words
NGSS Standards
AP Environmental Science Topics
IB Biology Topics
Scientific Methods
Type of Figure
Location of Research
Scientist Affiliation
Included Resources
+ Audio version of article + Link to HHMI interactive lab on evolution + Curated links to activities about canine evolution and phylogenetic trees
Publication Date
October 2023
Researchers analyzed the DNA of ancient wolves to uncover the ancestry of dogs and determine when and where wolf domestication occurred.
Check the PDF above.

Looking for something else?

Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: