Ancient Cats: The Culprits Behind the Extinction of Ancient Dogs
Competition and Climate Change in the Eocene Era
During the Eocene Era, approximately 55.8-33.9 million years ago, the Earth witnessed a surge in mammal populations. Primates had recently emerged, and North America was home to a diverse array of canine species, numbering around 30. However, a new study has revealed that most of these ancient dogs vanished abruptly about 20 million years ago. The culprit? Early cats.
The Role of Competition
While various carnivore groups may have competed with dogs, felids (cats) exhibited the most compelling evidence of competition, according to computational biologist and lead author Daniele Silvestro. To determine the specific cause of the ancient canines’ extinction, Silvestro and his team analyzed over 2,000 fossils from animals that coexisted during the period 20-40 million years ago.
Body Type Comparisons
The researchers compared the body types of carnivores such as bears, wolves, and big cats to identify potential competitors for food amidst the planet’s changing climate. Ancient cats, particularly the false-sabretooth cat, emerged as prime suspects. These cats were comparable in size to the canines, consumed similar prey, and thrived during the same period that dogs rapidly disappeared from the fossil record.
Climate Change vs. Competition
Traditionally, climate change has been considered a dominant force in biodiversity evolution. However, Silvestro’s research suggests that competition among carnivore species played an even more significant role in the decline of canids. Despite the planet’s rapidly changing climate, cats proved to be superior predators, outcompeting their canine rivals.
The Rise of Dogs and Cats
While early cats may have driven many ancient dog species to extinction, dogs gained an advantage through their partnership with humans. Genetic evidence indicates that dogs diverged from wolves approximately 27,000 years ago, much earlier than previously believed. In contrast, wildcats only began associating with humans around 9,500 years ago.
Conclusion
The rivalry between cats and dogs extends back millions of years. In the Eocene Era, ancient cats played a decisive role in the extinction of numerous ancient dog species. Competition for food and resources, rather than climate change, emerged as the primary driver of this extinction event. While cats prevailed in this early battle, dogs eventually gained an advantage through their unique relationship with humans.