Adaptation to the anthropogenic environment

Domestication and Breeds

The growing human population has changed planet Earth’s environment.

Humans are increasingly exerting control over Earth’s fresh water through reservoirs, dams, and canals.

(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35.)

As atmospheric CO2 increases, oceans become more acidic.(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

As human population increases, chemical pollutants accumulate in the atmosphere

(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

Humans change the Earth’s land. For millennia humans have chopped down forests and moved rock and soil for agriculture and pastureland and construction.

(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

Humans change the Earth’s land. For millennia humans have chopped down forests and moved rock and soil for agriculture and pastureland and construction. Human activity increases erosion.

(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

Average species abundance of 3000 wild populations declined 40% between 1970 and 2000.

(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

Relative biomass of humans, domestic mammals, and wild mammals.

(Science 7 October 2011, 334 p34-35)

Giant cave bear

House mouse

American cockroach

Domestication (10,000 – 5,000 years) of:- Mamals- Birds- Fish (carp, catfish, salmon)- Insects (honeybees, silk moth)- Plants- Molds (button mushroom, yeast)- Bacteria (yoghurt, cheese)

Diamond Jared 2002) Nature vol 418.

Fertile crescent is center of origin of:- Wheat- Barley- Peas- Sheep- Goat- Cows- pigs

Wolf/Dog domestication as early as 50,000 yra

A burial strongly suggesting domestication has been excavated in Israel and dated to around 12,000 years ago. This picture shows a human skeleton, the left hand over the skeleton of a small dog, the two of them buried at Mallaha, about 15 miles north of the Sea of Galilee.

Lascaux cave France

Heck cattle or Recreated Aurorch

Domesticated cow milked in ancient Egypt

Polish Konik

Re-created Tarpan horse.

Przewalski horse: truly wild horse.

Horses: Equus ferus subspcies:- Equus ferus cabalus (domesticated

horse)- Equus ferus ferus or Tarpan horse:

extinct but re-created from Polish konik horse.

- Equus ferus przewalskii (only extant wild horse)

Driscoll CA et al. (2009). Scientific American July 2009 p69-75.

Driscoll CA et al. (2009). Scientific American July 2009 p69-75.

10,000 yra remains of mice in granaries

Driscoll CA et al. (2009). Scientific American July 2009 p69-75.

3,700 years ago Ivory cat statuette sculpted in Israel; suggests cats were a common sight around human settlements in the Fertile Crescent

3,600 years ago Artists paint domesticated cats from Thebes, Egypt.

2,900 years ago Cats become “official deity” of Egypt in the form of the goddess Bastet.

Driscoll CA et al. (2009). Scientific American July 2009 p69-75

Wichien-Maat siamese cat.

Tamara Maew(1360-1767)

Qualities for domestication:

1. The right diet2. Fast growth & short birth spacing3. Friendly disposition4. Easy breeding5. Respect for hierarchy6. Won’t panic

Wild grass Teosinte

Teosinte

Primitive corn

Modern corn

Wheat

Wheat (tarwe) Triticum aestivumBarley (gerst) Hordeum vulgarusRye (rogge) Secale cerealeOats (haver) Avena sativa

BarleyHordeum vulgarus

RyeSecale cereale

WheatTriticum aestivum

OatsAvena sativa

Einkorn

Domestication changes the genetic make-up of species:Human control of:- Growth- Size- Behavior- Breeding

Jacob sheep

Merino sheep

Girgantaria goat

Angora goat Makhor goat

Jacobin pigeon Chinese owl pigeon

Ghent cropper pigeon

Texas Longhorn

Charolais

Droughtmaster (Australia)

Senepol (St.Croix)

Miniature zebu cattle

Miniature (toy) hereford

Belgian draft horse and miniature horse (17”)