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Sat, 3 Jul 1999 19:49:23 -0700 |
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Paleolithic Press |
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Todd Moody wrote:
>
> First, if neoteny is the result of mutations then it is very
> unlikely that it would be quickly reversible. And yet, as Darwin
> observed, domesticated animals revert to "wild type" in a
> relatively small number of generations, even without a wild
> population to interbreed with.
Feral dogs are not wolves even after many generations. They become a paticular type of dog (similar to
dingoes) but never again become wolves.
> Interestingly, the domesticated foxes
> were different from the others in many characteristics that had
> nothing to do with their docility. Most of those characteristics
> had nothing to do with neoteny either, with the possible
> exception of their having juvenile-looking faces.
Spots, curled tails, tamness and barking are all characteristics of immature canines. In the wild these would
have no positive effect on survival until interaction with man increased these neotinized animals ability to
take large game.
>
Ray Audette (who hunts with a dog and a hawk)
Author "NeanderThin"
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