The genetic history of the dog is a sensational example of the co-evolution of two species, man and wolf, to each other’s mutual benefit. But how did this ancient partnership begin? To answer this question, Professor Bryan Sykes identifies tantalising clues in the recently mapped genetic makeup of both species.Sykes paints a vivid picture of the dog as an ancient and essential ally. While undoubtedly it was the mastery of fire, language and agriculture that propelled Homo sapiens from a scarce, medium-sized primate to the position we enjoy today, Sykes crucially credits a fourth element for this success: the transformation of the wolf into the multi-purpose helpmate that is the dog. Drawing upon archaeology, history and genetics, Sykes shows how humans evolved to become the dominant species on Earth, but only with the help of our canine companions.
Оглавление
Professor Bryan Sykes. The Wolf Within
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Preface
Lupa
Darwin’s Dilemma
I Met a Traveller from an Antique Land
On the Origin of Wolves
The Living Fossil
Let the Bones Speak
The Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Hunting with Wolves
Why Didn’t Shaun Ellis Get Eaten by Wolves?
Friend or Foe?
A Touch of Evil
The Basic Framework
We See the First Dogs
The Studbook of Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks
The Emergence of Modern Breeds
The Dog Genome
The Genetics of Pedigree Breeds
The Dance of Life
At the Heart of the Matter
In the Lab
The Scientist who Came in from the Cold
The Autumn Muster
The Girl who Talks with Dogs
Born Again: Cloning your Dog
Beyond the Reach of Reason
Acknowledgements
References
Index
About the Author
About the Publisher
Отрывок из книги
Illustration courtesy of Richard Sykes. This illustration depicts the tomb of Liliana Crociati de Szaszak in La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is known for its unusual neo-gothic design. Liliana was twenty-six years old when she was killed by an avalanche, and after his death several years later, her beloved dog, Sabú was added to her memorial. The text under the dog’s statue reads ‘Sabú, faithful friend of Liliana’.
