Small dogs originated in the Middle East, genetic study finds
Friday, March 12, 2010 - 23:35
in Paleontology & Archaeology
A genetic study has found that small domestic dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago. Researchers have traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene, finding that the version of the gene that is a major determinant of small size probably originated as a result of the domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf.