Browsing by Author "Alves, Lara"
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- The curious case of the Mesolithic Iberian dogs: An archaeogenetic studyPublication . Pires, Ana Elisabete; Detry, Cleia; Chikhi, Lounes; Rasteiro, Rita; Amorim, Isabel R.; Simões, Fernanda; Matos, José; Petrucci-Fonseca, Francisco; Ollivier, Morgane; Hänni, Catherine; Cardoso, João Luis; Arias, Pablo; Diniz, Mariana; Araújo, Ana Cristina; Bicho, Nuno; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Moreno-García, Marta; Arruda, Ana Margarida; Fernández-Rodríguez, Carlos; Porfírio, Eduardo; Arnaud, José Morais; Valente, Alexandra; Gonçalves, David; Alves, Lara; Götherström, Anders; Davis, Simon J.M.; Ginja, CatarinaWe investigated the genetic composition of six Canis remains from western Iberia, directly radiocarbon dated to 7,903–7,570 years (cal BP). They were identified as dogs via their archaeological and depositional context, osteometry, and a high percentage of aquatic diet shared with humans. For comparison, genetic data were obtained from an additional 37 Iberian dog remains from the Neolithic to Late Antiquity, as well as two Palaeolithic and a Chalcolithic Canis identified as wolves. Previous data indicated that dog mtDNA haplogroup A (HgA) is prevalent in extant European dogs (> 50%), in the Near East and Asia, but rare or absent (< 10%) in European Canis older than 3,000 years (cal BP). We found a high frequency (83%) of dog HgA in Mesolithic Iberian dog remains. This is the first report of a high frequency of dog HgA in pre-Neolithic Europe. We show that, contrary to the current view, Canis with HgA did not necessarily arrive in Europe from East-Asia. This phylogeographical difference in HgA frequency demonstrates that genetic differentiation was high prior to, or as a consequence of, domestication which may be linked with pre-Neolithic local processes for Iberian wolf domestication. Our results emphasize that knowledge of both ancient wolves' and early dogs’ genetic profiles from the European periphery should improve our understanding of the evolution of the European dog.
- The Facial Reconstruction of a Mesolithic Dog, Muge, PortugalPublication . Moraes, Cicero; Pereira, Hugo Matos; Requicha, João Filipe; Alves, Lara; Alexandre-Pires, Graça; de Jesus, Sandra; Guimarães, Silvia; Ginja, Catarina; Detry, Cleia; Ramalho, Miguel; Pires, Ana ElisabeteThis paper presents the facial reconstruction of a Mesolithic dog whose skeleton was recovered from the Muge shell middens (Portugal) in the 19th century. We used the anatomical deformation approach based on a collection of computer tomography images as an attempt to reconstruct the Muge dog’s head appearance. We faced a few challenges due to the level of bone displacement and the absence of some cranium anatomical parts, as well as accurate information on soft tissue thickness for modern dogs. This multidisciplinary study combined anatomical, veterinary, zooarchaeological, artistic and graphic aspects to allow for the facial reconstruction of the Muge dog. Albeit an approximation, it confers a recognition to this prehistoric finding.
- The potential of computed tomography in odontometry: application to a Mesolithic dogPublication . Pereira, Hugo Matos; Requicha, João Filipe; Alves, Lara; Gonçalves, David; Correia, Joana Belo; Alexandre-Pires, Graça; de Jesus, Sandra; Viegas, Carlos; Ramalho, Miguel; Ginja, Catarina; Detry, Cleia; Pires, Ana ElisabeteA large odontometric reference database is essential for a clear and reliable differentiation between the teeth of dogs and wolves found in archaeological contexts. However, the data compilation of skeletal material is a slow process because access to dog remains may be difficult. The expansion of a dental database could benefit from computed tomography (CT) scans performed on live dogs during medical appointments and archived in veterinary clinics. To enable it, however, the reliability and accuracy of digital measurements must first be validated. This is the main objective of this paper. We tested the accuracy of dental measurements obtained from CT scans of deceased modern dogs and one Mesolithic dog. CT measurements were obtained using multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) (bi-dimensional images) and three-dimensional volume rendering (3D VR), either using bone or soft tissue windows. Then, measurements were compared with data obtained with a conventional caliper (Fischer Darex®, France). The sample comprised 25 maxillary fourth premolars and 17 maxillary canines. Measurements included the mesiodistal length (MDL) and the vestibular palatine width (VPW). Intra- and inter-observer variations were assessed by calculating the technical error of measurement (TEM). This approach was also used to assess the level of agreement between both techniques, complemented by a Bland-Altman analysis. Intra-observer (TEM = 0.52% to 5.98%) and inter-observer variations (TEM = 3.15% to 7.14%) were relatively small for most standard measurements, windows, and CT approaches. In the case of the MPR approach, the soft tissue window provided less observer variation on the fourth premolar; the same occurred for the bone window regarding the canine. The soft tissue window generally provided less observer variation with the VR approach. CT and caliper agreement ranged from 2.89% to 7.31% (MPR), and from 2.92% to 9.42% (3D VR). At least 91% of the CT measurements were within the Bland-Altman 95% confidence interval. We were able to carry out a thorough odontometric study of the Muge dog skull – a specimen dated to the Mesolithic period, using the MPR approach (with both bone and soft tissue windows). Both the MPR and VR CT scan approaches were validated, thus confirming digital data as an alternative way to generate more comprehensive odontometric references.