by The centuries-old DNA has confirmed that Greenland’s sled dog Qimmit is the oldest but well-known domesticated dog breed, a discovery that illuminates more light on their close relationship with the indigenous inuit people in the region.
The results published in the journal ScienceAnd also reveal new insights into the history of Inuit migration and its arctic adaptation.
Researchers, including those of the Ilisimatusfik University in Nuuk, Greenland, rated over 90 dogs in Greenland that have extended in the past 800 years and record data from both old and modern corner trains.
Then compared the genome data with those of over 1,900 dog regenomes published.
Scientists discovered that the Qimmit The breed forms an independent Klade with other old Arctic dogs, especially with a 3,700-year-old Alaska dog.
Small dogs have been a central component of Arctic life for over 9,500 years.
While many arctic dog breeds were replaced, mixed with other dogs or transformed into a domestic role, Greenlands Qimmit If its traditional role as a working proposal dog has clearly preserved, researchers stated.
However, the researchers found that the current genetic differentiation among regional dogs in Greenland reflects the cultural and linguistic divisions of the indigenous peoples of the island.
Even despite the European colonization of Greenland, there are minimal European ancestors today Qimmit.
This could be due to the general isolation of the dogs in Greenland and more modern preserving policy.
The latest findings could provide an important guideline for the preservation of this old breed in the middle of threats through a quick cultural and climate change.
“These insights into the Qimmit Offer a basis for inbreeding and intrigersions that can serve as the basis for well-founded management that aims at preserving these remarkable dogs, ”wrote the researchers.
“Studies like this show the relevance of paleogenomic insights into current conversations and decisions that focus on the preservation and maintenance of cultural species,” they said.
The researchers also found that the genetic continuity of the iconic breed, despite thousands of years and great geographical distances, supports the theory of quick inuit migration by the North American Arctic.
The study dissolved indications of two different migrations from dogs in Greenland, whereby data indicates the region’s earlier arrival.
Scientists hope that the results can also lead to new methods in order to examine the human effects on the development of domestic animals.
“The results of this study are the basis for future work using time series genomes from regional populations to examine the local development of animals that are shaped by humans and environments,” they wrote.
