Investigating the Genetic History of Philippine Native Dogs or Aspins (Canis lupus familiaris) Using Modern and Ancient Mitochondrial DNA

Ronna E. Cabotaje* and Michael James B. Herrera

Domestic animals such as pigs, chickens, dogs, and commensal rats are closely associated with early farming communities in Island Southeast Asia. These animals played important roles in adaptive strategies that enabled long-distance prehistoric voyaging by providing reliable food resources, facilitating the establishment of new settlements, and reinforcing cultural traditions. In the Philippines, the native dog or aspin (Canis lupus familiaris) has been archaeologically documented in various sites across the archipelago. However, existing genetic studies have primarily focused on modern dog populations with limited and uneven geographic representation, constraining comprehensive assessments of genetic diversity and population structure. This uneven sampling coverage has implications for reconstructing the translocation history of dogs in the Philippines. To address this, the present study expands the geographic scope of sampling by incorporating hair samples from modern aspin populations across multiple regions in the Philippines, alongside archaeological and historical dog remains. Initial stages of this study involve the compilation of archaeological specimens and the collection of modern samples to build a more representative dataset for genetic analysis. By integrating broader spatial sampling of contemporary populations with available archaeological materials, this study aims to better characterize patterns of genetic diversity and population history in Philippine dogs and evaluate their potential as a bioproxy for tracing prehistoric human mobility. Ultimately, this research contributes to a more significant understanding of human–dog relationships and migration in the Philippines and Island Southeast Asia.