Old dogs, new tricks: 3D geometric analysis of cranial morphology supports ancient population substructure in the Australian dingo

摘要: The dingo is a wild canid introduced to Australia within the last 5000 years. Existing research has identified up three evolutionarily significant, geographically separated distinct populations of on Australian mainland. Contending explanations variably invoke ancient population substructure, separate introductions in antiquity, and disparate levels recent domestic dog admixture. Here, I present an assessment morphological variation dingo, applying 3D geometric morphometrics compare cranial forms individuals from different regions Australia, with dingo’s closest relatives, New Guinea Singing Dogs, dogs dingo-dog hybrids. Dingoes southeastern were found be morphologically conspecifics their northwest, including both desert, tropical Fraser Island dingoes, being intermediate Dogs. close resemblance these results genetic subdivisions indicates that morphology likely reflects substructure related complex prehistoric introduction dispersal scenario, rather than solely introgression dogs.