A recent study conducted by Chinese scientists suggests that the origin of dogs can be traced to southern China, and that canine domestication started there around 33,000 years ago.

Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) recently proposed the idea in an article published in American academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Previous research done by Laura Shannon and other scholars from Cornell University indicated that dogs were first domesticated in Central Asia — a conclusion drawn from extensive DNA analysis. However, the research team from the CAS Kunming Institute of Zoology found Shannon’s conclusion questionable, as the study’s definition of Central Asia, which includes Nepal and Mongolia, did not represent the typical geographical division of the region. They also failed to collect samples from southern China.

Wang Guodong, lead author of the new paper and a researcher at the institute, explained that the southern Chinese origin explanation has the “smallest linkage disequilibrium.” In addition, the theory of phylogenetic trees also supports that conclusion.

“Phylogenetic trees are like a subject’s evolutionary family tree; the most ancient species of dog is the root of the tree. In our research, canine samples from southeast Asia were all located at the bottom of the phylogenetic tree,” Wang explained.

As for a more accurate, specific origin of domesticated dogs, Wang says further research is required. So far, two preliminary field studies have been conducted and over 1,000 samples collected from along the Yangtze and Pearl River valleys.

The humid climate in China’s southern regions is unsuitable for fossil preservation. Therefore, archeological evidence is another obstacle faced by Wang’s team. Nevertheless, few archeological studies support the European-origin theory, according to Wang.

The CAS team previously published a report in Cell Research, another scientific journal, suggesting that dogs were first domesticated about 33,000 years ago in southern East Asia before migrating across the globe. Wang believes the migratory path possibly follows either the maritime or terrestrial Silk Road.

“Domestic dogs cannot travel alone, as their survival ability decreases after domestication. Therefore, they must have moved with humans,” said Wang, adding that research on migration and the evolution of dogs can shed light on human studies as well.

“From a hereditary perspective, an origin study on dogs can also advance the analysis of human diseases, as man and dog have been living together for a long time,” Wang explained.

“Breast cancer, a common disease in dogs, has a high rate of occurrence in humans as well,” he added.