ANSC121 Flashcards: Neoteny and Domestication

Neoteny

• Neoteny refers to the retention of juvenile features in adult organisms, such as big foreheads, wide eyes, intent gazes, and shortened muzzles.

Neoteny Behaviors

• Common neoteny behaviors in animals include licking the mother's mouth, rolling on their back, making soft and high-pitched sounds, nipping, and tail wagging.

Domestic vs. Companion Animals

• Not all domestic animals serve as companion animals; some may be kept for other purposes but still classified as domesticated.

Definition of Domestication

• Domestication is defined as the intentional alteration of an animal's genetics through controlled, selective breeding.

Survival Behaviors

• Xenophobia (fear of foreigners) and neophobia (fear of new things) enhance survival in non-domesticated animals.

Terminology

• Xenophobia is the fear of foreigners.
• Neophobia is the fear of new experiences or things.

Dog Domestication Debate

• The domestication of dogs remains a contentious topic among scientists.

Taxonomic Classification of Dogs

• The dog is classified scientifically as Canis lupus familiaris, indicating it is a subspecies of the wolf.

Ancestry of Dogs

• Modern domestic dogs are direct descendants of wolves.

American Kennel Club (AKC) Standards

• The AKC is not the only breed registry requiring breed standards, contrary to popular belief.

AKC Newest Member

• As of 2020, the dogo Argentino was one of the latest additions to the AKC registry.

Entropion

• Entropion, a medical condition, refers to the folding of the eyelid towards the eyeball.

Purebred Breeding

• One main reason for purebred dog breeding is to ensure offspring have predictable physical and behavioral traits.

Journal Publication Guidelines

• In scientific publications, nouns are capitalized, such as "German shepherd dog," following American Heritage Dictionary guidelines.

Neural Crest Cell Hypothesis

• This hypothesis explains variations in domesticated dog traits, like coat color, shorter snouts, and floppy ears.

African Grey Parrot

• The African grey parrot is an example of a non-domestic animal commonly bred as a pet.

Microchip Registration

• To be effective, microchips must not only be implanted under the skin but also registered to the animal's owner.

Responsible Pet Ownership

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines responsible pet ownership as a significant time and financial commitment, viewing it as a privilege.

Physical Changes in Domestication

• Domestication leads to various physical changes, including differences in size, coat color and texture, ear shape, tail structure, skull size and shape, as well as variations in feathers.

Scientific Classification for Dogs

• Dogs belong to the following classification: Kingdom (Animalia), Phylum (Chordata), Class (Mammalia), Order (Carnivora), Family (Canidae), Genus (Canis), Species (lupus), Subspecies (C. lupus familiaris).

Morphological Diversity in Dogs

• Dogs are recognized as the most morphologically diverse mammals on Earth.

Canidae Family

• The Canidae family includes dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, and foxes, among others.

AKC Dog Groups

• The AKC recognizes seven primary dog groups: Working, Herding, Hound, Non-sporting, Sporting, Toy, and Terrier, along with a Miscellaneous eighth group.

Responsibilities of Pet Ownership

• Responsible pet ownership involves a commitment to:
  • Commit time and resources to care for pets
  • Invest in their well-being
  • Obey local laws regarding pet ownership
  • Ensure pets are properly identified
  • Limit the number of pets to manageable levels
  • Prepare for the pet’s needs throughout its life.