Researchers compared the full genome of Cinnamon (in the picture), a female Abyssinian cat, to understand the genetic underpinning of cat domestication. (Photo Credit: University of Missouri)
International scientists compared the full genome of a domestic cat, a female Abyssinian cat named Cinnamon, to the genome of other domestic cats and wild cat species and found that the genes of felines have evolved to help them live with us.
Compared to their wild counterparts, domestic cats have changes in genes involved in memory, fear-conditioning, stimulus-reward learning, as well as modifications linked to increased listening and visual alertness.
Original research paper published in PNAS on November 10, 2014.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
Wesley C. Warren, Washington University School of Medicine, U.S.A.
