Synopsis

In the 18th and 19th century evolutionary biologists, including Darwin, emphasised the similarities between natural evolution and artificial ? improvement? of livestock under domestication. They believed that studying domesticated animals and plants could illuminate the mechanisms of natural evolution.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Artificial selection
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Size and shape
2.3 Skin pigmentation and pattern
3.1 The origins of domesticated dogs
3.2 Structure and behaviour in modern dog breeds
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Experimental domestication of foxes
4.3 Phenotypic changes that appeared without being selected
5 Summary
Next steps
References
Acknowledgements

 

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