This is the blog for GW students taking Human Evolutionary Genetics. This site is for posting interesting tidbits on: the patterns and processes of human genetic variation;human origins and migration; molecular adaptations to environment, lifestyle and disease; ancient and forensic DNA analyses; and genealogical reconstructions.

GWHEG figure

GWHEG figure

Friday, October 26, 2018

Domestication of the Red Fox


This red fox experiment has been in the works for almost 60 years. The foxes are bred in captivity and then put into one of three groups for genotyping. These groups are the Tame, conventional, and aggressive populations. The foxes have the same window of DNA genotyped, while researchers look for the presence of a "friendliness" gene. Then once the fox's genes have been assessed, a physical test is made to back up the results. What is noted is that the domesticated fox isn't like a dog, they are anxious and curious and they are not like dogs at all. 


Image result for domestication of red foxes


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