Two remarkable Ice-Age puppies, discovered in Siberian permafrost, have sparked widespread interest among researchers and the public alike. Initially believed to be early domesticated dogs, recent genetic testing and detailed analysis have revealed that they were actually ancient wolves. This discovery, published in Quaternary Research, adds new insights into the evolutionary relationship between wolves and modern dogs. The study, led by researchers from the University of York and other international teams, provides a detailed picture of the ancient environment and the role these wolves played in it.
The Ice-Age Puppies: A Surprising Discovery
The Tumat Puppies were first discovered in 2011 and 2015 by mammoth ivory hunters in Siberia, perfectly preserved in the permafrost. These finds were initially assumed to be the remains of early domesticated dogs, as they seemed to exhibit traits similar to those of modern canines. The puppies were found near the remains of woolly mammoths and evidence of human activity, which led scientists to speculate that these animals could have been domesticated or at least closely connected to early human settlements.
However, new DNA analysis has overturned these assumptions. The genetic makeup of the puppies revealed that they were, in fact, wolves from a population that lived around 14,000 years ago and eventually became extinct. This new insight has significant implications for our understanding of the early relationship between humans and dogs, as it suggests that the domestication of dogs may not have occurred as early as previously thought. The Tumat Puppies are now helping to clarify the evolution of wolves, and indirectly, how dogs may have been domesticated much later.
Wolves, Not Dogs: The Key Findings
While the discovery that these animals were wolves, not early dogs, may be disappointing to some, the findings offer crucial insights into the Ice Age environment. According to Anne Kathrine Runge, study author from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, “Whilst many will be disappointed that these animals are almost certainly wolves and not early domesticated dogs, they have helped us get closer to understanding the environment at the time, how these animals lived, and how remarkably similar wolves from more than 14,000 years ago are to modern day wolves.”
This statement highlights an exciting aspect of the study: the genetic and behavioral similarities between these ancient wolves and those found today. Despite the passage of thousands of years, the Tumat Puppies show how little the basic structure of wolves has changed, further emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of these animals.
The Mystery of Dog Domestication Deepens
The study also sheds light on the complex mystery of dog domestication. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Tumat Puppies was their fur, which was a distinctive black color caused by a genetic mutation now only found in dogs. Initially, scientists believed that this characteristic might suggest that the puppies were part of a domesticated population. However, Runge points out that this may have been a misleading clue: “It also means that the mystery of how dogs evolved into the domestic pet we know today deepens, as one of our clues – the black fur colour – may have been a red herring given its presence in wolf cubs from a population that is not related to domestic dogs.”
This unexpected finding challenges the existing theories about when and how dogs were domesticated. While the black fur was once considered a key indicator of early domesticated dogs, the discovery that this trait appeared in ancient wolves suggests that the origins of domestic dogs might be more complex and later than previously believed.
Ancient Wolves Preyed on Woolly Rhinoceroses
One of the most surprising revelations from the study involves the contents of the Tumat Puppies’ stomachs. Analysis revealed that the puppies had eaten woolly rhinoceros, a large and now-extinct species that once roamed northern Eurasia during the Ice Age. Dr. Nathan Wales, another study author from the University of York, elaborated on this finding, stating, “The hunting of an animal as large as a woolly rhinoceros, even a baby one, suggests that these wolves are perhaps bigger than the wolves we see today, but still consistent in many ways, because wolves still tend to hunt easy prey while some of the pack is engaged in cub rearing.”
This discovery is significant because it provides insight into the hunting behaviors of ancient wolves. Despite their relatively small size compared to modern wolves, the Tumat Puppies were likely able to hunt and consume large prey, such as woolly rhinoceroses. This suggests that these wolves were not only formidable predators but were also capable of preying on large herbivores that shared their Ice Age habitat. The fact that they were still engaged in cub rearing while hunting indicates that these wolves had complex social structures similar to those of modern wolf packs.
