Domestication

Domestication is the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use. Domestic species are raised for food, work, clothing, medicine, and many other uses. Domesticated plants and animals must be raised and cared for by humans. Domesticated species are not wild.

History

The domestication of plants and animals occurred over a period of several thousand years, in a process that began in the Neolithic period. The first domesticated species were dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in East Asia about 15,000 years ago. The first domesticated plants were wheat (Triticum) in the Fertile Crescent about 10,500 years ago.

Process

Domestication involves selecting for desirable traits in plants and animals. This can be a physical trait, such as size or color, or a behavioral trait, such as docility. Over time, these traits become more common in the population, and the species changes. This is a form of artificial selection.

Effects

Domestication has had a significant impact on the species that have been domesticated. Domesticated species often differ significantly from their wild relatives. For example, domesticated wheat is larger and easier to harvest than wild wheat. Domesticated animals, such as dogs and horses, are often larger or smaller than their wild relatives, and may have different behaviors.

See also

• Agriculture
• Animal husbandry
• Artificial selection
• Neolithic Revolution

References

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