Buzz
While it's common to read about species driven to extinction by human activity, it's equally important to recognize that humans have also played a role in the creation of new species. Contrary to the notion that we’re only responsible for destruction, there are instances where human influence has sparked the creation of entirely new forms of life.
In fact, many species wouldn't exist without human intervention. We've worked to rescue species from extinction, and through various methods like artificial selection and anthropogenic speciation, we've even engineered entirely new species.
These ten species are direct results of human action, and some of them may surprise you.
10. Wheat
Wheat is a fundamental crop that nourishes the world. However, it only exists today due to centuries of deliberate cultivation, which transformed a wild grass into the foundation for nearly every baked product we enjoy.
Wheat was first cultivated about 11,600 years ago in the Fertile Crescent. Early humans selectively harvested the crop to produce mutant strains. These modified grasses produced larger grains and retained their seeds during harvesting, eventually leading to the wheat we recognize today.
One theory suggests that wheat didn’t just become domesticated by humans; it could be said that wheat domesticated us. The act of cultivating wheat sparked the creation of agriculture, a development that led to the rise of human civilization. Without wheat, we might still be foraging for berries and whatever else nature provided.
Once wheat was domesticated, humanity stopped roaming for food. It’s an intriguing thought, but no matter how you interpret it, one thing is clear: modern wheat as we know it owes its existence to human cultivation of a particularly appealing grain over 12,000 years ago.
9. Crab Louse
One of the most bothersome parasites on Earth is the louse, often called body lice. Almost every hairy animal is at risk from these pests, and humans are uniquely affected by two distinct species of these parasites.
Head and body lice are a common nuisance for other primates, which is why you often see monkeys and apes picking insects from one another’s fur and eating them. Humans, however, are the only species with this peculiar pairing of lice. In addition to head and body lice, we also contend with a separate species that specifically targets our pubic region. The crab louse (P. pubis) evolved independently from the genus Pediculus to thrive on the coarse hair found in our pubic area.
This species infects about 2% of the global human population and is mostly spread through sexual contact. Thankfully, crab lice aren’t known to carry diseases, though their presence is annoying enough. This species wouldn't exist if not for humans, though it’s certainly one humanity would prefer to see eradicated.
8. Corn
Corn is a vital crop consumed around the world in forms ranging from animal feed to artificial sweeteners. However, it only achieved this status thanks to human intervention. In its wild form, corn bore little resemblance to what we consume today. Around 9,000 years ago, the indigenous peoples of Mexico transformed a species of grass into one of the planet’s most crucial food sources.
Through artificial selection, humans cultivated various crops, leading to the creation of the modern plant known as corn (maize). Selection focused on the size of the ears and kernels. The wild ancestor, teosinte, bears little resemblance to today’s corn.
Corn's domestication began approximately 9,000 years ago, but the process unfolded in stages. The first wave of domestication took place in the Andes, followed by a second wave around 2,000 years ago in the lowlands of South America.
The transformation from ancient corn to its modern form is remarkable. The earliest corn plants produced tiny ears about one inch (25mm) long, with just one ear per plant. Today's corn plants yield ears that are approximately 6.5-7.5 inches (165-177mm) long, with several ears per plant.
7. Goldfish
Goldfish are a prime example of selective breeding. The goldfish we win at carnivals today would not exist without human intervention. This particular breed has only been around for roughly 1,000 years.
Modern goldfish are a subspecies of carp that were carefully bred to develop the specific coloration and body shape that are now regarded as the most desirable.
Originally, Asian carp were bred as a food source, but during the Jin Dynasty (265-420 AD), people began noticing mutations that produced bright red, orange, and yellow scales. They started breeding these fish with others that shared the same vibrant colors.
As time passed, a yellowish-orange hue became dominant, and these colorful fish began to populate ornamental ponds and water gardens during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). This golden coloring stood in stark contrast to the natural silver of Asian carp, so people continued to select for this more attractive coloration.
Human breeding efforts continued until the modern goldfish (C. auratus), in its many forms, became a popular ornamental and pet fish about 1,000 years ago.
6. Potatoes
Potatoes are a vital crop around the world, but their existence is the result of thousands of years of selective breeding, beginning with the species S. brevicaule around 7,000-10,000 years ago. The indigenous people of Peru domesticated this species, leading to the thousands of potato varieties we enjoy today.
The potatoes (S. tuberosum) we know today started as bitter and mostly inedible. Over time, this species was refined and developed into one of the most essential crops in South America. The potato is believed to have been a major factor in a population boom between 1700 and 1900.
One key factor in the potato’s prominence and variation is its ability to sprout new plants from existing tubers. By cutting a potato into 2-inch (5.1cm) pieces and replanting them, new plants can grow. This ability has made potato hybridization relatively simple.
The widespread cultivation and distribution of potatoes have helped cement its status as one of the most important staple crops globally. Every year, millions of tons of potatoes are consumed worldwide, a remarkable feat considering the plant's humble origins.
5. The London Underground Mosquito
Not every organism that has thrived or evolved into existence was a product of intention. The London Underground mosquito (C. molestus) owes its existence to our habit of digging into the earth to ease travel between locations.
C. molestus was first identified in 1775, and it likely evolved to adapt to human-made underground environments. While its name derives from the London Underground, where it was first found, this species was originally discovered in Egypt long before the subway was built. Today, it can be found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.
These mosquitoes are unique in that they have fully adjusted to subterranean life. In places like New York City, they live in sewers and subway systems but venture out to feed on human blood. They often make their way into homes through air vents connected to basements and other underground areas.
This species has developed the ability to thrive in urban environments, a rarity for mosquitoes. They pose significant issues, including the transmission of diseases like the West Nile Virus, Ross River virus, and other illnesses commonly spread by these pests.
4. Lots of Greens
Kale, Collard Greens, Kai-Lan, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Kohlrabi, and Broccoli are enjoyed by billions of people across the globe every day. These vegetables owe their existence to human intervention, and their development is quite fascinating. Although they may seem very different, they all actually come from the same plant.
The species B. oleracea, a wild form of cabbage, is native to many parts of Europe. In its natural state, it’s mostly inedible – although it’s technically possible to eat the leaves and stems raw, most people prefer the cultivated varieties of this biennial plant.
Humans started cultivating wild cabbage around the 5th century BC in the northern Mediterranean. Using artificial selection, they chose for particular traits, which led to the creation of numerous varieties, each looking drastically different from the others.
Kale was the first cultivated variety, emerging around the 5th century BC. This was followed by the creation of cabbage and kohlrabi around the 1st century. By the 15th century, cauliflower and broccoli were developed, and Brussels sprouts appeared in the 18th century.
3. Dogs
When it comes to artificial selection, dogs are perhaps the most recognizable example. The dogs we know and love today wouldn’t exist without human intervention. Our relationship with dogs dates back further than recorded history, making them one of the most significant species in the development of humanity.
Dogs are a divergent species of the Grey Wolf, and as anyone who has observed a dog can confirm, most breeds bear little resemblance to wolves. This is the result of centuries of polymorphic breeding, where humans have focused on traits like hunting, herding, and gathering.
Early dogs (C. l. familiaris) were bred for their strength and hunting abilities. We provided them with food, and in return, they protected us and assisted with hunting. This arrangement turned out to be mutually beneficial for both species.
Over time, we began to breed dogs for other purposes, leading to the creation of breeds like pugs, chihuahuas, and Labradoodles. These dogs may not be great at helping us hunt, but they excel as companions and bring us joy. Unfortunately, as dog owners know all too well, modern breeds often suffer from genetic diseases due to selective breeding practices, while older breeds tend to have longer, healthier lifespans.
2. Avocados
Interestingly, the avocado isn't an example of a species created through cross-pollination or other breeding techniques. Instead, we loved eating them so much that we ensured their survival after a major extinction event.
Avocados evolved during the Cenozoic era, when North America was home to giant ground sloths and other large species. These animals were drawn to the fruit, consuming it and dispersing its large seeds in their waste, leading to the growth of more avocado trees. However, when these megafauna went extinct around 13,000 years ago, the avocado followed suit.
With the extinction of North American megafauna, the avocado lost its natural method of propagation through their excrement. Luckily, a new species had emerged: Homo sapiens, who were more than eager to eat the avocado’s delicious fruit, ensuring its survival despite the loss of its original dispersers.
Humans began cultivating the plant from its wild ancestors. Over time, these varieties evolved into the avocados we know and cherish today. Had we not found them so delectable, it’s likely the avocado would have disappeared 12-13,000 years ago.
1. Cows
If you're familiar with anthropogenic extinction, you've probably heard of the auroch, a species of wild ox from Eurasia that vanished in 1627. People once loved eating these robust cattle, but they've been gone for centuries. Thankfully, the modern cow (B. taurus) is widespread across the globe, with an estimated 1.5 billion cows in 2018.
It is believed that modern cows were domesticated from a single herd of aurochs around 10,500 years ago. Genetic studies suggest that only about 80 aurochs from that herd were domesticated. Every cow alive today is descended from those original 80 individuals.
From that small group of domesticated aurochs, humans have developed over 1,000 distinct cow breeds. Some of these have adapted to local climates, while others have been bred for specific human needs, such as labor, meat, and milk production.
While several wild breeds of cattle still exist, the domestic cow we use for meat and dairy was shaped through human intervention and selective breeding.
