domestication
number of breaks: 7
Aedes aegypti: Rise of a super-vector
There are approximately 3,500 known mosquito species out there, but contrary to common belief, the ability to transmit viruses to humans is the privilege of only a few of them. Among this very private club, Aedes aegypti, also known as the yellow fever mosquito, is... click to read more
How did wild cats turn into our beloved domestic animals?
How cats – one of our favorite domestic animals – historically turned to live with us remains mysterious. The relationships between humans and housecats' common ancestor, the Near Eastern wildcat, begun as early as a rise of farming over 9,000 years ago, but it took... click to read more
How almonds became sweet
Salads, vegan milk, yogurt, marzipan - all these products contain healthy sweet almonds. The almond ancestor, which still grows in the wild, carries bitter almonds. Consumption of its bitter kernels can be lethal to us and to wild herbivores. The bitterness comes from the presence... click to read more
How the domestic rabbit became fearless
The domestication of animals progresses gradually as wild animals' genomes evolve and they adapt to life in captivity. Such genetic changes may manifest themselves in how an animal looks, behaves, functions and reproduces. The most striking of these modifications is tameness, - a common feature... click to read more
Fair or unfair? The infinite patience of domestic dogs
It is likely not surprising to anyone reading this that humans have a strong sense of fairness. We recognize and respond to inequities from a very young age, and we continue to strive for equity throughout our lives. Though many may consider this a uniquely... click to read more
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