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New archaeological research by the University of Sydney has discovered for the first time clear links between fossils of the iconic Australian dingo, and dogs from East Asia and New Guinea.

The remarkable findings suggest that the dingo came from East Asia via Melanesia, and challenges previous claims that it derived from pariah dogs of India or Thailand.

Previous studies used traditional morphometric analysis—which looks at the size and shape of the animal using calipers—to trace the dingo's ancestry to South Asia.

However, the new study, published in Scientific Reports, uses sophisticated 3D scanning and geometric morphometrics on ancient dingo specimens to show clearly that they are most similar to Japanese dogs, as well as the 'singing dogs' of New Guinea and the highland wild dog of Irian Jaya.

Dr. Loukas Koungoulos, a research associate in the Discipline of Archaeology at the University of Sydney, said, "The origins of this controversial Australian native animal have been heavily debated for more than a century. Our research has found the elusive first links between fossil material that suggest dingoes have evolved locally from an East Asian dog-like ancestor."

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