2005/02/15 by Stuart J. Fiedel · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Social Sciences · Immunology and Microbiology · #Human-Animal Interaction Studies #Geographies of human-animal interactions #Rabies epidemiology and control
paper · doi:10.1080/0043824042000329540
openalex publication_date 2005/02/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Recent genetic studies indicate that the wolf ancestors of New World dogs were domesticated in East Asia, about 15,000 cal. bp. Although archaeological evidence of the earliest American dogs is very scarce, they probably accompanied the Paleoindians who crossed Beringia and occupied North America after 13,500 cal. bp. By providing humans with hunting assistance and transport capability, as well as an emergency food source, dogs may have facilitated the very rapid expansion of Paleoindians. As hunters or as disease carriers, dogs may also have played a role in megafaunal extinction.