Post by ZandraJoi on Dec 1, 2023 20:29:12 GMT -5
www.barkandwhiskers.com/2023-11-26-domestication-syndrome
Story at-a-glance
Domestication syndrome describes a group of distinctive genetic traits seen in domesticated animals, but not in their wild counterparts
Researchers have discovered that the process of domestication seems to lead to genetic changes that affect a group of embryonic stem cells called the neural crest
Neural crest cells create a variety of tissue types, including pigment cells, parts of the head, and the adrenal glands; they are also indirectly involved in brain development
The researchers believe that when certain species were bred by humans for tameness, individuals with mild neural crest deficits were selected, resulting in smaller or slow-maturing adrenal glands, as well as certain physical abnormalities
My notes: "Floppy ears, cute white patches, curly tails, shorter muzzles and gentle behavior - you almost never see these traits in the wild. Why are domesticated animals different? Does that mean our pets have smaller brains, too?"
This is an interesting study. I never considered that wild animals look that much different from pets & why they do!
Story at-a-glance
Domestication syndrome describes a group of distinctive genetic traits seen in domesticated animals, but not in their wild counterparts
Researchers have discovered that the process of domestication seems to lead to genetic changes that affect a group of embryonic stem cells called the neural crest
Neural crest cells create a variety of tissue types, including pigment cells, parts of the head, and the adrenal glands; they are also indirectly involved in brain development
The researchers believe that when certain species were bred by humans for tameness, individuals with mild neural crest deficits were selected, resulting in smaller or slow-maturing adrenal glands, as well as certain physical abnormalities
My notes: "Floppy ears, cute white patches, curly tails, shorter muzzles and gentle behavior - you almost never see these traits in the wild. Why are domesticated animals different? Does that mean our pets have smaller brains, too?"
This is an interesting study. I never considered that wild animals look that much different from pets & why they do!
