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The red fox and domestic dog have been around for 10 million years as part of the same biological family. In 1959, Russian scientists began an experiment breeding red foxes selectively for friendliness or aggression towards humans over 40 generations. This study identified 103 genetic regions associated with tameness and aggression. Specifically, the SorCS1 gene influences aggression and tameness in foxes as well as disorders in humans like autism and bipolar disorder. Ongoing study of foxes may help understand social behavior evolution in mammals.

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The red fox and domestic dog have been around for 10 million years as part of the same biological family. In 1959, Russian scientists began an experiment breeding red foxes selectively for friendliness or aggression towards humans over 40 generations. This study identified 103 genetic regions associated with tameness and aggression. Specifically, the SorCS1 gene influences aggression and tameness in foxes as well as disorders in humans like autism and bipolar disorder. Ongoing study of foxes may help understand social behavior evolution in mammals.

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BIO - 1610 ! Kenzie Curtis!!

Fox Genome Signature Assignment

! !

! The red fox and the common house dog have been around for the same amount

of time — about 10 million years — and are in the same type of biological family

(Canidae Family); they have similarities to each other but are also very different. About

15,000 years ago, dogs were domesticated from grey wolves. Similar animals, but also

very different, like the red fox and the dog. Because of this (and many other reasons), it

made scientist wonder if maybe a fox could be domesticated, as well. !

! In the 19th century, they began farm breeding red foxes for fur. This was the first

sign and proof of fox domestication. Farm-bred foxes generally adjusted well to the farm

environment. But while some showed positive responses to humans, some still showed

fear and aggression towards humans. In 1959, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of

the Russian Academy of Sciences, started an experiment for the domestication of farm-

bred foxes. They started breeding one group of red foxes for friendliness towards

humans, and then later on in the experiment they started breeding another group of red

foxes for aggressiveness towards humans. This has been on-going for over 40

generations, and has been very beneficial for the study of fox genes, behaviors, etc.,

today.!

! More recently, there have been studies trying to really understand which genes

actually cause different behaviors (tameness and aggressiveness) in the red fox.

Scientists have used their recent studies and as well as the work from the Institute of

Cytology and Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences to try and get a better

understanding. Throughout this study, scientists have figured out that there are 103
BIO - 1610 ! Kenzie Curtis!!
Fox Genome Signature Assignment

genetic regions that were different between the fox populations. Some of which were

cause for all different behaviors, as well as other factors.!

! This study showed a lot of links between all different types of animals and foxes.

They found a link between the immune genes and the selection of foxes with aggressive

behavior, as well as the selections of rats with aggressive behavior. They also found a

same set of genes and receptors that were found both on foxes and dogs, which may

play a part in the domestication of both animals. The one I found the most interesting

was the link between humans, foxes, and a gene called SorCS1. SorCS1 is a gene that

basically just sorts and traffics proteins. This gene in a fox, kind of helps decided

whether the fox will be aggressive or tame . This gene in a human, is generally

connected with Autism, Bipolar Disorder, and even Alzheimer’s. !

! With so many similarities to so many different animals, scientists believe that the

continuous study of foxes and their behavior, can help provide a better understanding of

the regulation and evolution of social behaviors in many different mammals.!

! !

! !

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