Dogs and humans. An ancient relationship that would have an explanation in genetics.
Dogs have been the unconditional pets of humans for thousands of years and according to a scientific study of Azabu University, Japanthe key would be two mutations in a gene involved in the production of the stress hormone.
These mutations can be played a role in the domestication of dogs by enabling them to develop social cognitive skills to interact and communicate with humans.
A study published today Scientific reports, led by the University of Azabu (Japan), suggests that mutations in the melanchorin receptor 2 (MC2R) gene may have facilitated the domestication of these animals, perhaps by promoting lower levels of stress around humans.
domestic dogs
The study of dog domestication and genetic mutation
Domestication of dogs involved changes in several genes, usually in the control of hormones that affect social behaviorbut it had not been established precisely what genetic changes might have taken place.
The team of Japanese scientists, led by Miho Nagasawa, studied the cognitive social interactions of 624 domestic dogs using two tasks.
In the first, the dogs had to decide which bowl had the food hidden under it based on the signals, such as glances, pointing and touching, performed by team members, who tested the animal’s understanding of human gestures and communication.
Next, they had to try to open a container to access the food and the researchers measured how often and how long the dogs spent watching the researcherswhich represented the social attachment to human beings.
Dogs were divided into two groups based on their breed: the Old group formed by breeds considered genetically closer to the wolfsuch as the Akita and the Siberian Husky, and the General group which included the other breeds further away from the wolf.
Dogs studied by Japanese academics.
Those of the Ancients group looked at humans less often during the problem-solving task, suggesting they were less attached to problems, while there were no significant race-related differences in the first task, the University explained.
The authors looked for differences in genes associated with human-related cognitive abilities between the Ancient and General groups.
Among the genes studied were oxytocin (OT), the oxytocin receptor (OTR) or the melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R).
Two changes in the MC2R gene were associated with both correct interpretation of gestures in the first task and looking more at people in the problem-solving task.
Dogs have a long tradition of bonding with humans.
Dog behavior and genetics
Briseida de Resende, professor at the University of São Paulo and one of the behavioral scholars, explains that “canine behavior is largely inherited, of course, and were domesticated a long time ago, but this aspect should never be abstracted from the context in which they live. Parenting and the environment are also very important. “
The researcher emphasizes that the “micro context”, that is the life experience, is “as influential as the macro”, that is the evolution of the species.
“The debate between nature and nurture has been going on for a long time and we always try to see how innate canine behavior is and how much it is learned, but we are currently moving towards the view that there is no point in separating them“, he concludes
With information from agencies
Source: Clarin
