AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Divergent evolution in dogs Dogs and wolves have similar body shape, skull size, and limb formation, further supporting their close genetic makeup and thus shared ancestry. For example, malamutes and huskies are physically and behaviorally similar to wolves.

Detailed explanation-2: -It appears dogs were first domesticated about 16, 000 years ago, which actually happened before the development of agriculture. They then completely diverged from wolves 14, 000 years ago, and there is evidence suggesting that dogs emerged from a single species of ancestral wolf.

Detailed explanation-3: -Now, through genetic studies, researchers know that dogs and wolves share a common ancestor instead of a direct lineage. Their common ancestor was a prehistoric wolf that lived in Europe or Asia anywhere between 9, 000 to 34, 000 years ago, according to various studies.

Detailed explanation-4: -The gray wolf may have evolved from a wolf-like species such as C. etrucus. In the Early Pleistocene the gray wolf (Canis lupus) entered North America via Beringia. The domestic dog is almost certainly derived from the gray wolf.