Rate of Evolution

[EdEarl]

 

Phy.org

Russian geneticist repeats dog domestication with foxes in just fifty years

This Russian experiment resulted in domesticated foxes that the researchers sell for pets. I believe their claim to have replicated dog domestication must be exaggerated, because 50 yr evolution can't equal thousands of yr, given similar lifespans. It seems improbable that dog evolution occurred in 50 yr and stopped. I'm biologically challenged, so there may be additional variables.

 

I don't know how long it has taken to develop GMO organisms, but I believe the process speeds evolution. That evolution may work quickly has implications regarding climate change. I'd guess that short lived organisms such as microbes and other organisms with shorter generations may adapt to climate change; others may not.

 

Is the Russian fox experiment common knowledge among biologists? Does it affect predictions of a possible anthropomorphic mass extinction, and if so to what extent?

Edited September 16, 2016 by EdEarl

[Strange]

It seems improbable that dog evolution occurred in 50 yr and stopped.

 

I don't see why it would have stopped? I assume domestication must have happened quite quickly (or progress must have been visible) or the domesticators might have given up. After the first dogs were domesticated I think they have continued to evolve: look at the wide range of dogs with different physical and mental characteristics that there are now.

 

I don't know if the fact that dogs didn't evolve from foxes is relevant? It may have been quicker to go from wild dogs to domesticated dogs, than it is to go from foxes to domesticated foxes (or even vice versa).

[DrmDoc]

I like Adam Conover's take on dog breeding, he calls them a bunch of genetic monsters. Maybe these Russian foxes are also a bunch of inbred monsters, which would only require a few generations to make. After further review of the article, I wouldn't consider their fox domestication experiment evolution in the true sense of the word. Evolution is a more gradual process shaped by environmental influences. According to the article, researchers were seeing significant behavioral changes in their animals by the fourth generation and continue to see both internal and external physical differences from foxes in the wild. They are now likely more dog than fox.

Edited September 16, 2016 by DrmDoc

[Danijel Gorupec]

Ed, I don't think they claimed that dog evolution occurred in 50 years and then stopped. They claim that they managed to do more or less the same but in much much shorter time. But I also believe that they claims are somewhat exaggerated - dogs are much more than just human-tolerant.

 

But maybe when they use the term "replicated dog domestication" they are maybe referring to one other observed effect that I find fascinating. It is that while they selected animals only based on the human-tolerance trait, as a side-effect the same foxes began to physically look more like dogs (floppy ears, curly tail, shorter legs, barking... They even said that they look more 'cute' - this made me wonder if they are more cute only because we learned what 'cute' should look like, or is there some deeper meaning to it.)

[EdEarl]

 

Strange #2

I don't know if the fact that dogs didn't evolve from foxes is relevant?

Not relevant AFAIK.

 

Danijel #4

But maybe when they use the term "replicated dog domestication" they are maybe referring to one other observed effect that I find fascinating. It is that while they selected animals only based on the human-tolerance trait, as a side-effect the same foxes began to physically look more like dogs (floppy ears, curly tail, shorter legs, barking... They even said that they look more 'cute' - this made me wonder if they are more cute only because we learned what 'cute' should look like, or is there some deeper meaning to it.)

My dog sometimes perks its ears up, but often they are flopped, also reminds me of orca in captivity with flopped dorsal. I read that wild orca don't have flopped dorsal. IDK if the reasons for flopped ears/dorsal are similar or different; it seems related to state of mind. Cocker spaniel and other breeds ears are permanently flopped, different reason.

Edited September 16, 2016 by EdEarl