A long-running Russian genetics experiment (okay, hang on), has investigated animal domestication. Dmitri Belyaev chose the never-domesticated silver fox and bred each generation's least aggressive pups. In four generations, the foxes showed dog-like behavior of wanting to be picked up, wagging tails, and licking faces. Changes in color also came about, because the adrenal gland, which controls aggressiveness, also controls melanin.
It appears that primitive man, too busy with survival, did not domesticate wolves. Wolves who crept closer to refuse piles to feed, and their less aggressive pups, may have helped domesticate themselves. Fascinating reading, and video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR-GHmuumAw&feature=player_detailpage
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment