Study Reveals Genetic Background of the Wild Rabbit's Domestication

A recent study conducted by researchers at Inbio-University of Porto found that several genes played distinct roles in the domestication of rabbits. As humans began domesticating animals as early as nine thousand to 15 thousand years ago, the rabbit joined this process much later-with a domestication period that's predicted to be just about 1,400 years ago via monasteries of southern France.

"No previous study on animal domestication has involved such a careful examination of genetic variation in the wild ancestral species," said Leif Andersson, a professor at Uppsala University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Texas A&M University, in a news release. "This allowed us to pinpoint the genetic changes that have occurred during rabbit domestication."

The study is one of the first to involve an extensive examination of genetic variation in wild ancestral species, allowing researchers to directly pinpoint the genetic changes that have allowed this creature's domestication over time.

As the wild rabbit is a highly polymorphic species, researchers found that its gene variants were favorable during domestication periods. The findings are particularly as they indicate the involvement of genes for brain and nervous system development.

Researchers also believe that a similar process may have occurred in other animals.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal PLos Genetics.