New archaeological research by the University of Sydney has discovered clear links for the first time between fossils of the iconic Australian dingo and dogs from East Asia and New Guinea.
The remarkable findings suggest the dingo came from East Asia via Melanesia, disputing previous claims that it originated from pariah dogs from India or Thailand.
Previous studies used traditional morphometric analyses, which use calipers to look at the size and shape of the animal, to trace the dingo’s ancestry in South Asia.
However, the new study, published in Nature Scientific reportsuses advanced 3D scanning and geometric morphometry on ancient dingo specimens to clearly show that they most closely resemble Japanese dogs, as well as the ‘singing dogs’ of New Guinea and the Irian Jaya highland wild dog .
Dr. Loukas Koungoulos, Research Fellow in the discipline of Archeology at the University of Sydney, said: “The origins of this controversial Australian native animal have been heavily debated for more than a century. Our research has found the elusive first links between fossil material that suggest dingoes may have been locally evolved from an East Asian canid ancestor.”
Dr. Koungoulos added: “The archaeological sites at Lake Mungo and Lake Milkengay contain some of the oldest evidence of dingoes in all of Australia. It is incredible to see how these remarkable animals have evolved over thousands of years and gives us a better understanding of this unique Australian species.”
The research team – including Associate Professor Melanie Fillios from the University of New England and Dr Ardern Hulme-Beaman from the University of Liverpool – looked at the remains of ancient dingoes found at Lake Mungo and Lake Milkengay in western NSW.
Associate Professor Melanie Fillios said: “Our research underlines the antiquity of dingoes and points to a common ancestor between dingoes and the more recent canines of South East Asia.”
Working with the Traditional Owners of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, the team used radiocarbon dating to discover that some remains were more than 3,000 years old.
The team also found that modern dingoes have evolved to become larger and leaner, with an average length of 54 cm compared to between 40 and 47 cm of their ancient ancestors – a size much closer to their modern-day relatives in Southeast Asia and Melanesia is located.
