by suprjami on 11/6/15, 9:03 PM
This is one of my favorite things. Look at what they achieved with foxes in less than a century, then think of the tens of thousands of years we've domesticated dogs. The whole field of "dog science" is both fascinating and heartwarming.
by carlhu on 11/7/15, 3:17 AM
I know this is a downer, but given that the article states that 18% of the population are "elite" after 10 generations, and there are 2000 elite foxes now, doesn't "strong selection pressure" imply there were around 10K-30K individuals culled in this project for not belonging to "elite"? Is this normal breeding practice? Speaking as a somewhat guilty owner of a beloved papillon-breed dog.
by hansjorg on 11/7/15, 9:07 AM
Radiolab on NPR had a great episode (New Normal) where one of three bits (New Nice) was about Dmitri Belyaev and these foxes. They also present the interesting idea that humans might have domesticated ourselves.
http://www.radiolab.org/story/91696-new-nice/
by danieltillett on 11/7/15, 2:55 AM
I have always wanted one of these foxes, but alas being in Australia would make it impossible.
by SixSigma on 11/7/15, 1:50 PM
Don't forget there were two experiments, they also did a lineage of super aggressive foxes.
by kanzure on 11/7/15, 3:40 AM