What wild species is the domesticated ferret (*Mustela furo*) descended from?
Answer
*Mustela putorius*
The domesticated ferret, classified as *Mustela furo*, originates from the wild European polecat, identified by its scientific name, *Mustela putorius*. This lineage experienced a significant evolutionary divergence from its wild ancestors approximately 2,500 years ago, leading to the domesticated form. This process of domestication, driven heavily by human intervention, represents a form of artificial selection rather than continuous natural selection in the wild environment where the polecat still resides. This ancestral connection is crucial for understanding the ferret's physical structure and behavioral predispositions.
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