domestication, evolution

Pet dogs produce a larger volume of tears when they are reunited with their owners than with acquaintances, possibly because of surging oxytocin levels—findings that could be the first evidence of emotional crying in nonhuman animals.

Analyses of bones found across the world suggest that the birds entered human settlements more recently than previously thought. But they don’t seem to have immediately made their way to the table, raising questions as to why people started keeping them.

Over centuries of cultivating Saccharomyces cerevisiae to make dough, bakers have put selective pressure on the species, causing it to diverge into two distinct groups, according to the authors.

The study is the first to show a genomic relationship between dogs and humans on the move.

A new study shows wolf pups responding to vocal encouragement from humans.

The tamed foxes, whose appearances changed with breeding, weren’t wild to begin with, say the authors of a new study.

Dogs have stronger facial muscles compared to wolves, giving them the sad or “puppy dog eyes” look.

European settlers likely wiped out these ancient dogs, but the animals seem to have left a lasting legacy in a transmissible canine cancer.

A genomic study suggests that dogs diverged from wolves in Southeast Asia 33,000 years ago, contrary to reports placing their origins elsewhere on the continent.

Domestication may have saved pumpkins, gourds, and squash as seed dispersers like the mastodon went extinct. 

Study of ancient dog DNA sheds light on early Americans’ relationships with their pets.

Examination of bones found in a Chinese village suggests that domesticated felines lived side-by-side with humans 5,300 years ago.

New analysis suggests that domestic dogs evolved from European wolves that interacted with human hunter-gatherers.

A sequencing study suggests that some genes have evolved in parallel in humans and their canine companions, likely as a result of shared selection pressures.

As wolves became domesticated, their genes adapted to a starch-rich diet of human leftovers.

A new yeast species found in Patagonia appears to be the missing half of the long-used lager yeast.