Farm-Fox Experiment

[quantumfireball2099]

Foxes bred for tamability in a 40-year experiment exhibit remarkable transformations
that suggest an interplay between behavioral genetics and development

http://www.hum.utah.edu/~bbenham/2510 Spring 09/Behavior Genetics/Farm-Fox Experiment.pdf

Through genetic selection alone, our research group has created a population of tame foxes fundamentally different in temperment and behavior from their wild forebears. In the process we have observed some striking changes in phsysiology, morphology and behavior, which mirror the changes known in other domestic animals and bear out many of Belyaev's (Russian Geneticist, Dimirtry K. Belyaev) ideas

Hey guys, I figured I would share this with you. It is a very interesting article detailing the domestication of wild silver foxes, species vulpes vulpes. Enjoy!

 

[lrkun]

Foxes bred for tamability in a 40-year experiment exhibit remarkable transformations
that suggest an interplay between behavioral genetics and development

http://www.hum.utah.edu/~bbenham/2510 Spring 09/Behavior Genetics/Farm-Fox Experiment.pdf

Through genetic selection alone, our research group has created a population of tame foxes fundamentally different in temperment and behavior from their wild forebears. In the process we have observed some striking changes in phsysiology, morphology and behavior, which mirror the changes known in other domestic animals and bear out many of Belyaev's (Russian Geneticist, Dimirtry K. Belyaev) ideas

Hey guys, I figured I would share this with you. It is a very interesting article detailing the domestication of wild silver foxes, species vulpes vulpes. Enjoy!

I'd like to see if there are pictures rather than drawings of his or her research, I find it odd. Still, it's really cute.

 

[TheFlyingBastard]

I remember reading something like this in The Greatest Show On Earth as well. It think it had t do with calmer less hunter-type dogs having floppy ears, but its just a vague recollection.

 

[Anachronous Rex]

Damnit, now I want a pet fox...

 

[quantumfireball2099]

I'd like to see if there are pictures rather than drawings of his or her research, I find it odd. Still, it's really cute.

About 50% of the pictures in the paper are photgraphs... what do you want, a real picture of a fox cowering in the corner of a cage barring its teeth? Do you find the research paper itself odd, or the fact that half of the pictures are drawn?

EDIT: Underneath one of the pictures of the artists rendition of the fox it says; "All drawings of Foxes were made from the authors photographs" Why didn't they use the original photographs? Maybe the pictures didn't come out very well, considering it was probably taken in the 50's... but obviously that is just a guess.

 

[lrkun]

I'd like to see if there are pictures rather than drawings of his or her research, I find it odd. Still, it's really cute.

About 50% of the pictures in the paper are photgraphs... what do you want, a real picture of a fox cowering in the corner of a cage barring its teeth? Do you find the research paper itself odd, or the fact that half of the pictures are drawn?

I find it odd that half of the pictures are drawn. Still, I find it cute. I'm not an expert on the subject, I just wish to see a real representation rather than a drawing.

 

[Pulsar]

This has also been shown in a Horizon documentary:

 

[lrkun]

This has also been shown in a Horizon documentary:

Cool video. Those foxes are scary when they're not tamed; where they do get tamed, it reminds me of a very cute toy dog. I wonder if this applies to humans as well, supposing we only allow non-agressive people to propagate, would you favor that option?

 

[quantumfireball2099]

This has also been shown in a Horizon documentary:

 

[quantumfireball2099]

Cool video. Those foxes are scary when they're not tamed; where they do get tamed, it reminds me of a very cute toy dog. I wonder if this applies to humans as well, supposing we only allow non-agressive people to propagate, would you favor that option?

This comment and the remainder of the video that pulasar linked got me thinking... What if it already was applied to humans. Not by artificial selection as with the foxes, but by natural selection? Could the morphological changes that happened at the genetic level with foxes and other mammals also have happened to us as we were transitioning from our ancestors? Could this be a reason that we as humans have so many mophological differences from one another?

Maybe im just stupid, I have no education on this topic, so please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[lrkun]

Cool video. Those foxes are scary when they're not tamed; where they do get tamed, it reminds me of a very cute toy dog. I wonder if this applies to humans as well, supposing we only allow non-agressive people to propagate, would you favor that option?

This comment and the remainder of the video that pulasar linked got me thinking... What if it already was applied to humans. Not by artificial selection as with the foxes, but by natural selection? Could the morphological changes that happened at the genetic level with foxes and other mammals also have happened to us as we were transitioning from our ancestors? Could this be a reason that we as humans have so many mophological differences from one another?

Maybe im just stupid, I have no education on this topic, so please correct me if I am wrong.

There was this thread where a certain guy said that his suggested theory as to how we came about was similar to the above. If my memory is correct, he said that certain smart ancestors of ours did the above and chose someone more gentle rather than agressive as their mate.

It makes me want to experiment on selective breeding on humans. Now, if only we can get rid of the ethical issues. ^-^

 

[Giliell]

I want such a fox, too!
Thanx for the link and the video

 

[YesIAMJames]

I love silver foxes, they're adorable. Vulpes vulpes isn't the only domesticated breed though. There is also the Fennec fox which is even more adorable.

 

[SagansHeroes]

Mmm I now have a desire for pet foxes...

Thanks for the links