The genetic clues of dogs and friends are discovered

According to a study released on the 9th on the 9th, the melanin cortexy-2 (MC2R) gene may play a role in the domestication of dogs, so that they develop social cognitive skills, and and and and and and. Human communication and interaction. This gene is related to generating semethyl cortisol.

Those genes that usually control hormones that can affect social behavior are also related to the domestication of dogs, but it has not yet accurately determined which genetic changes have occurred.

This time, scientists of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Japan, used two tasks to investigate the social cognitive interaction of 624 household dogs. In the first task, dogs need to determine which bowl has food under the tips of the experiments, such as gaze, guidance, or knockout. This tests the dog's understanding and expression of human gestures and expression. In the second task, dogs need to deal with a problem to solve the test, and they have to try to open a container to get food. In this task, the frequency and duration of dogs see the experimenters, which reflects the dog's social attachment to humans.

The team divided the dogs in the experiment into two groups: the ancient group (consisting of the variety closer to the wolf, such as Akita dogs and Siberian sled dogs) and general groups Frequent varieties). They report that compared with the general group, the ancient group is less to see the experiments in the problem solving task, which means that they have less attachment to people. No significant differences related to varieties were found in the first task.

Then, the team looked for the related gene differences between the two groups related to people, including oxytocin (OT), oxytocin receptor (OTR), MC2R, and a gene called WBSCR17. Williams syndrome in humans (characterized for excessive social behavior). The two changes to the MC2R gene are related to the correct understanding of posture and problem solving in the first task.

The team believes that these discoveries show that MC2R may play a role in the domestication of dogs, making dogs lower pressure when humans. (Science and Technology Daily)

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