Destabilizing selection as a factor in domestication

Belyaev, D. K.

doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a109263

Cited by 467 publications

(372 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…One possible hypothesis could be that tameness is related to some central aspect of the stress response, which in turn might affect metabolism and central hormone systems. This is in line with Belyaev's original suggestions (Belyaev, 1979). However, Kukekova and colleagues found no support for any central genomic region affecting many traits in Belyaev's foxes (Nelson et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…It is obvious that selection for behavior has been unconsciously carried out by man since the earliest stages of animal domestication." (Belyaev, 1979).…”

Section: Tameness As a Driver?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Belyaev speculated that this could be caused by various hormones that are affected by reduced fear of humans, and simultaneously regulate gene function and developmental patterns (Belyaev, 1979).…”

Section: Tameness As a Driver?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first and most straightforward would be that humans independently in different species selected novel mutations occurring randomly in the tame populations. This would mean that similar types of mutations would have to occur in all species, something Belyaev considered highly unlikely (Belyaev, 1979).…”

Section: Possible Genetic Mechanisms In Domesticationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Agnvall

Bélteky

Katajamaa

et al. 2018

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Domestication of animals offers unique possibilities to study evolutionary changes caused by similar selection pressures across a range of species. Animals from separate genera tend to develop a suite of phenotypic alterations referred to as "the domesticated phenotype". This involves changes in appearance, including loss of pigmentation, and alterations in body size and proportions. Furthermore, effects on reproduction and behaviour are typical. It is hypothesized that this recurring phenotype may be secondary effects of the increased tameness that is an inevitable first step in the domestication of any species. We first provide a general overview of observations and experiments from different species and then review in more detail a project attempting to recreate the initial domestication of chickens. Starting from an outbred population of Red Junglefowl, ancestors of all modern chickens, divergent lines were selected based on scores in a standardized fear-of-human test applied to all birds at 12 weeks of age. Up to the eighth selected generation, observations have been made on correlated effects of this selection on various phenotypes. The fear score had a significant heritability and was genetically correlated to several other behavioural traits. Furthermore, low-fear birds were larger at hatch, grew faster, laid larger eggs, had a modified metabolism and increased feed efficiency, had modified social behaviour and reduced brain size. Selection affected gene expression and DNAmethylation in the brains, but the genetic and epigenetic effects were not specifically associated with stress pathways. Further research should be focused on unraveling the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying the correlated side-effects of reduced fear of humans.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…It is obvious that selection for behavior has been unconsciously carried out by man since the earliest stages of animal domestication." (Belyaev, 1979).…”

Section: Tameness As a Driver?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tameness As a Driver?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Possible Genetic Mechanisms In Domesticationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Agnvall

Bélteky

Katajamaa

et al. 2018

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…Selection for reduced fear or increased sociality might have a negative impact on desirable productivity traits, as observed with silver foxes selected for low fear of humans which have also changed in body shape and other traits [2]. On the contrary, selection for reducing fear responsiveness and/or increasing flock tendency might improve animal production and welfare.…”

Section: Adjusted Means and P Values In Italicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic analysis of emotional reactivity in sheep: effects of the genotypes of the lambs and of their dams

et al. 2005

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-A total of 1347 weaned lambs from eight genotypes were tested over five consecutive years: Romanov (ROM) and Lacaune (LAC) pure breeds, the two F1 crossbreeds (RL and LR) and the offspring of ewes from these four genotypes sired with Berrichon-du-Cher rams (BCF). The lambs were individually exposed to three challenging tests involving novelty, human contact and social isolation. Ten synthetic variables were used to express social reactivity (i.e., active vs. passive strategy), exploratory activity and reactivity to humans. BCF crossbreds were more active (i.e., high bleats, locomotion and attempts to escape) than purebreds and F1. In contrast, ROM expressed more passive responses (i.e., low bleats and vigilance postures) than LAC and BCF crossbreds. In addition, ROM approached a motionless human less and had longer flight distances to an approaching human than did LAC and BCF crossbreds. When restrained, ROM, and to a lesser extent B×ROM and B×LR, avoided human contact more than did LAC, RL and B×LAC. Most of these differences were explained by direct additive genetic effects while maternal influences or heterosis effects were rarely significant. The highest heritability was for high bleats (h 2 = 0.48). Females were more active and avoided human contact more than did males.genetics / emotional reactivity / human contact / social isolation / sheep

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Serotonin metabolism and serotonergic receptors in Norway rats selected for low aggressiveness to man

et al. 1991

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Destabilizing selection as a factor in domestication

Cited by 467 publications

References 1 publication

Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Is evolution of domestication driven by tameness? A selective review with focus on chickens

Genetic analysis of emotional reactivity in sheep: effects of the genotypes of the lambs and of their dams

Serotonin metabolism and serotonergic receptors in Norway rats selected for low aggressiveness to man

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