Dogs are capable of looks and expressions that are irresistible to their owners. the mystery of those eyes when they want to get a treat it is in some key facial characteristics that would also have influenced the choice of this species for domestication.
Dogs are unique in their reciprocal bond with humanswhich can be shown through a mutual gaze, something that is not observed in other domesticated mammals such as cats or horses, according to Anne Burrows of the University of Pittsburgh (USA), who presented a study at the Experimental Biology congress.
The research focuses on the anatomy of the small mimetic muscles, which in dogs as in humans are dominated by fast-twitch myosin fiberswhich explains why we can form facial expressions quickly, but not hold them for long.
In other animals, such as wolves, although they also dominate fast-twitch fibers, compared to dogs they have a higher proportion of slow-twitch fibers, more effective for long and controlled movements and do not tire as quickly.
A greater presence of fast-twitch fibers allows a increased facial mobility and faster muscle movementwhich makes small the movements, such as raising the eyebrows, and the short, powerful muscle contractions that occur when barking.
Slow-twitch fibers, on the other hand, are important for prolonged muscle movements, such as those made by wolves when howling.
“These differences suggest that having faster muscle fibers it contributes to the dog’s ability to communicate effectively with people,” Burrows said.
Differences in facial musculature between wolves and dogs suggest that facial expressions played a role in selective breeding and domestication of these, considered the team.
“Throughout the domestication process, humans may have selectively bred dogs based on facial expressions that were similar to their own,” Burrows said.
Thus, over time, Dog muscles may have evolved to be ‘faster’further benefiting communication between dogs and humans.
In previous research, the team found that dogs have an additional mimetic muscle that is absent in wolves and that contributes to the “puppy eye” expression.
The scientists note that further research and comparison of myosin fiber types is needed, which could shed new light on anatomical differences between dogs and wolves. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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