The dingo, a free-ranging wild dog of Australia, has been found to have a surprisingly high number of mutations, making it genetically distinct from its inbred domestic counterparts. A new study, published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution, has revealed that dingoes have more than twice the number of mutations as domestic dogs.

The authors of the study, from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Tartu, Estonia, investigated the genetic diversity of the dingo by analyzing the genomes of over 800 dogs from around the world, including wild canids, dingoes, and domestic dogs. They found that dingoes have a greater number of mutations than their domestic relatives, and that the mutations are located in genes that have been associated with canine behaviors and physical traits. This suggests that the dingo may have evolved its unique characteristics in response to the Australian environment.

This study provides insight into the unique genetic makeup of the dingo, which could be used to better understand its behavior and ecology. It also sheds light on the importance of conserving the wild canids of Australia, as their genetic diversity is vital for the survival of the species.

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source: Phys.org