Genetics July 2014 PMID 25024034

The "domestication syndrome" in mammals: a unified explanation based on neural crest cell behavior and genetics.

Adam S Wilkins, Richard W Wrangham, W Tecumseh Fitch

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Mentions

250
Peak: 9 in Jun 2024
across 7 sources since Jul 2014

Extended reach

146,903
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Total likes

440

Video views

863

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Jul 2014 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone indicates a recognition of the publication's scientific value, with references to peer-reviewed sources and mentions of neural crest cell behavior as a key factor, illustrating a focus on the biological mechanisms. Words like 'fascinating,' 'interesting,' and references to 'unified explanation' highlight both curiosity and appreciation for the research's potential importance, while some comments question the broader implications or suggest further investigation is needed.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts acknowledge the publication as a credible source, referencing peer-reviewed papers and established researchers, indicating general support. However, some posts question it, suggesting debate rather than outright disagreement.

InterestNeutral interest
EngagementNeutral engagement
ImpactNeutral impact

Abstract in brief

  • The article explains that the domestication syndrome in mammals, which includes various heritable traits not seen in wild animals, may primarily result from mild deficits in neural crest cells during embryonic development, affecting both physical and physiological traits.
  • Unlike previous theories that focus on specific traits or selective factors, this hypothesis offers a unified explanation, linking the diverse traits of domesticated animals to developmental and genetic causes related to neural crest cells.
  • The authors discuss the genetic evidence supporting this theory, propose predictions and experiments to test it, and explore genetic and developmental questions that arise from understanding neural crest cell deficits as the root of domestication traits.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dr. Wildlife @ NITEHARTS
@DrWildlife · X

We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal (or plant) has traits not seen in their more wild ancestors. https://t.co/OjraYz6X3S

Jun 1, 2024 · 280 likes · 9 shares · 27,987 followers View post →
Eran Efrat
@Eran_Efrat · X

מחקרים: https://t.co/gaDrXlQFuk https://t.co/XGpuIEs9rK

May 6, 2023 · 73 likes · 61,983 followers View post →
Alfonso Martinez Arias
@AMartinezArias · X

A most interesting read on the target of a selection based genetic basis of #domestication. The question arises: are we talking #genes or #cells? My money is, of course, on the latter and the suspect: neural crest. Fascinating read https://t.co/b2RI7FVYhm #NotInTheGenes #CellsRUs https://t.co/J9AYDTIT75

Dec 16, 2023 · 30 likes · 4 shares · 9,236 followers View post →
uria shoshani
@uria_shoshani · X

@RivkaShifra https://t.co/0prVnFx1X0

Aug 9, 2025 · 10 likes · 10,254 followers View post →
尾上正人
@9w9w9w92 · X

Wilkins, Adam S., Richard W. Wrangham and W. Tecumseh Fitch. (2014) “The ‘Domestication Syndrome’ in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics,” Genetics 197(3), pp.795-808.

Jun 30, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 600 followers View post →
Aдексей Д
@redfoxe42 · X

@DraKoan У человека эта штука называется как и у всех млекопитающих "симптом одомашнивания") Звучит, может, немного обидно, но это отпадает эволюционные изменения и их факторы. https://t.co/MgPzZCTPsM

Dec 10, 2023 · 2 likes · 5,994 followers View post →

All mentions

Exploring Fox Domestication: Genes and Adaptive Traits

Have you ever dreamt of having red foxes as a pet? In Novosibirsk, Russia, an experiment led by Dmitry Belyaev since 1959 studies the domestication of red foxes. This video delves into the genetic and behavioral traits…

Aileen · Jun 13, 2022 482 views
uria shoshani
@uria_shoshani · X

@RivkaShifra https://t.co/0prVnFx1X0

Aug 9, 2025 · 10 likes · 10,254 followers View post →
noordung
@n00rdung · X

@Manelneedsanam1 @lolihentai6e10 @_chlorinesun @knafaesque How about a peer reviewed publication? https://t.co/FEWZ8r0kQn

Mar 4, 2025 · 1 like · 4,895 followers View post →
LORNE MALVO
@LORNEMALVO1206 · X

Evcil Homo sapiens: Agresif Bir Primat - 1 https://t.co/PcaXOWScPC @YouTube aracılığıyla

Nov 25, 2024 · 27 followers View post →
Joam Saxobeat
@JxnW · X

https://t.co/sQYHF6FIBm

Sep 28, 2024 · 613 followers View post →
noordung
@n00rdung · X

@yeetgenstein & an actual research paper on the topic: https://t.co/SinmiOa9jW

Aug 26, 2024 · 4,895 followers View post →
♡⁸ Dahlia
@purpleizcool · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 2, 2024 · 9 shares · 201 followers View post →
Anemomo
@Anemomomomo · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 2, 2024 · 9 shares · 314 followers View post →
Anee |
@aquasaphhire · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 2, 2024 · 9 shares · 400 followers View post →
stephen
@sbwalker62 · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 1, 2024 · 9 shares · 840 followers View post →
noa es un poco invesil
@pichunoa · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 1, 2024 · 9 shares · 86 followers View post →
moved to bluesky
@generickitty50 · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 1, 2024 · 9 shares · 90 followers View post →
Water Me Loan 64
@WaterMeLoan64 · X

RT @DrWildlife: We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal…

Jun 1, 2024 · 9 shares · 1,947 followers View post →
Dr. Wildlife @ NITEHARTS
@DrWildlife · X

We have, however, seen changes that are often referred to as domestication syndrome. This syndrome refers to when an animal (or plant) has traits not seen in their more wild ancestors. https://t.co/OjraYz6X3S

Jun 1, 2024 · 280 likes · 9 shares · 27,987 followers View post →
Kubilay
@YalibukRuno · X

Şehirlerde yaşayan tilkilerde evcilleşme sendromu görünüyor kendi kendilerini evcilleştirmeye başladılar çeneler küçüllüyor ve beyinleri vahşi olanlara göre daha az çalışıyor Evcilleşme sendromu nedir diyenler için amme hizmeti https://t.co/ypP8Kifv9A https://t.co/KB10WY0PtW

May 31, 2024 · 50 followers View post →
noordung
@n00rdung · X

@senorsuspecto Darwin termed this "domestication syndrome" & the current working idea is that most traits, both physical and behavioral, are somehow tied to differences in neural crest development on a deep embryonal development genetic trigger level. Example paper: https://t.co/FEWZ8r0kQn

May 31, 2024 · 4,895 followers View post →
Mark Borris Aldonza (@precursorcell.bsky.social
@PrecursorCell · X

Neural crest cell deficits during embryonic development as drivers of domestication syndrome? The “Domestication Syndrome” in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics https://t.co/Iyh4c1r8zh https://t.co/EA7qWLf3iv

Dec 17, 2023 · 1 like · 1,385 followers View post →
Emilio
@batmanv10 · X

RT @AMartinezArias: A most interesting read on the target of a selection based genetic basis of #domestication. The question arises: are we…

Dec 16, 2023 · 4 shares · 176 followers View post →
Isabel Espinosa Medina
@Isa_Espinosa_M · X

RT @AMartinezArias: A most interesting read on the target of a selection based genetic basis of #domestication. The question arises: are we…

Dec 16, 2023 · 4 shares · 574 followers View post →
Marco Podobnik
@m_podobnik · X

RT @AMartinezArias: A most interesting read on the target of a selection based genetic basis of #domestication. The question arises: are we…

Dec 16, 2023 · 4 shares · 558 followers View post →
Alfonso Martinez Arias
@AMartinezArias · X

A most interesting read on the target of a selection based genetic basis of #domestication. The question arises: are we talking #genes or #cells? My money is, of course, on the latter and the suspect: neural crest. Fascinating read https://t.co/b2RI7FVYhm #NotInTheGenes #CellsRUs https://t.co/J9AYDTIT75

Dec 16, 2023 · 30 likes · 4 shares · 9,236 followers View post →
Aдексей Д
@redfoxe42 · X

@DraKoan У человека эта штука называется как и у всех млекопитающих "симптом одомашнивания") Звучит, может, немного обидно, но это отпадает эволюционные изменения и их факторы. https://t.co/MgPzZCTPsM

Dec 10, 2023 · 2 likes · 5,994 followers View post →
Eran Efrat
@Eran_Efrat · X

מחקרים: https://t.co/gaDrXlQFuk https://t.co/XGpuIEs9rK

May 6, 2023 · 73 likes · 61,983 followers View post →
ItsMeJustin B
@Yoyoyowhatupdog · X

@onehandedbruh @GenericFarts @youdidntvaxLOL @GJohnGarrett @MattWalshBlog Here is the study I read years ago. https://t.co/VO96f2CLpP

Jan 13, 2023 · 1 like · 9 followers View post →
Qualia Fiction
@FictionQualia · X

The “Domestication Syndrome” in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics — https://t.co/9I6YqHCnfY https://t.co/wnkLEVyvQt

Sep 10, 2022 · 112 followers View post →
IrionIke
@IkeIrion · X

(PDF) The "Domestication Syndrome" in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics https://t.co/4ycz2ZknzV

Aug 24, 2021 · 104 followers View post →
みずいろ
@_gadolf · X

RT @9w9w9w92: Wilkins, Adam S., Richard W. Wrangham and W. Tecumseh Fitch. (2014) “The ‘Domestication Syndrome’ in Mammals: A Unified Expla…

Mar 27, 2021 · 2 shares · 829 followers View post →
Weknowdis
@rappolee · X

@mayorgalc @_astronomay https://t.co/CX0OMFeGJO

Mar 18, 2021 · 582 followers View post →
KLI: A Home to Theory that Matters
@KLIAustria · X

Learn more about the neural crest cell domestication syndrome hypothesis in Wilkins et al. 2014 The “Domestication Syndrome” in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics https://t.co/v4Xlkur17T

Nov 26, 2019 · 1 like · 2,665 followers View post →
Rina Saltman
@rinatie_ceo · X

RT @9w9w9w92: Wilkins, Adam S., Richard W. Wrangham and W. Tecumseh Fitch. (2014) “The ‘Domestication Syndrome’ in Mammals: A Unified Expla…

Oct 16, 2019 · 2 shares · 3,553 followers View post →
尾上正人
@9w9w9w92 · X

Wilkins, Adam S., Richard W. Wrangham and W. Tecumseh Fitch. (2014) “The ‘Domestication Syndrome’ in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics,” Genetics 197(3), pp.795-808.

Jun 30, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 600 followers View post →
Paleogenomics - María Ávila Arcos
@paleogenomics.bsky.social · Bluesky

"The “Domestication Syndrome” in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics" http://www.genetics.org/cgi/content/long/197/3/795

Jul 16, 2014 View post →