纪录片《狗狗秘闻》 11狗真正的祖先

So where does this incredible relationship come from?

那么 这种神奇的关系到底从何而来

When did it start and how?

何时开始 又是如何开始的?

It's a question that has puzzled scientists ever since Darwin.

这个问题从达尔文时代就困扰着科学家

He recognised the special relationship we have with dogs

达尔文发现了我们与狗之间存在着特殊关系

but was at a loss to explain it.

但他却无法科学地解释它

Darwin couldn't even say for sure

达尔文甚至不能确定

which animal was the true ancestor of the dog.

什么动物才是狗的真正的祖先

It's a complex puzzle that both archaeologists

这是个难解的谜团

And molecular¹ geneticists have been working to solve.

要考古学家与分子遗传学家来共同解决

There's a huge amount of variation in present-day dogs.

现代的狗类有着数量众多的变种

Consider the difference between a pekinese and a great dane.

考虑到大巴狗与丹麦大狗的巨大区别

Could they really all be descended² from one wild ancestor?

他们是否真的拥有共同的野生祖先呢

It could have been a coyote that

可能曾经有一头非洲豺(体型较小)

might have intergressed with a wolf and then that may

与其他狼共同繁衍 然后

have been slightly selected upon to create

就此轻微地影响了物种的进化

one particular breed of dog, or jackals or african wild dogs.

就出现了一种犬或豺之类的野生动物

Any number of these other dog-like species that are out there

而还有许多其他的犬科动物

must have come together and

聚集在一起(交配繁殖)

that's where that variation must have come.

这也是为什么会出现这么多的变种

1 molecular   

adj.分子的；克分子的

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
• For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

2 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。