Comparative genomic evidence for self-domestication inHomo sapiens

Abstract

This study identifies and analyzes statistically significant overlaps between selective sweep screens in anatomically modern humans and several domesticated species. The results obtained suggest that (paleo-)genomic data can be exploited to complement the fossil record and support the idea of self-domestication in Homo sapiens, a process that likely intensified as our species populated its niche. Our analysis lends support to attempts to capture the "domestication syndrome" in terms of alterations to certain signaling pathways and cell lineages, such as the neural crest.

Two types of aggression in human evolution

“…One test, therefore, is whether human neural crest cell biology exhibits similarities to patterns in domesticated animals. Preliminary evidence from genetic comparisons of H. sapiens with Neandertals and Denisovans supports that idea (146).…”

Universality and specificity of the kindchenschema: A cross-cultural study on cute rectangles.

“…Some extended interpretations of kindchenschema include pale colors (i.e. depigmentation), floppy and reduced ear size, shorter muzzles, curly tails, smaller teeth, smaller cranial capacities, and concomitant brain size reduction (Lorenz, 1970;Theofanopoulou, 2017). Accordingly, we consider kindchenschema as a design quality of an objective form, which, in other words, can be embodied as small (vs. large), short (vs. long), and thick (vs. thin) in shapes and pale (vs. dark or saturated) in colors.…”

“…It may be necessary to revisit the foundational questions of the intersubjectivity of aesthetic judgment. Kindchenschema and its associated care-taking responses can be seen among humans as well as among other prosocial species (Sánchez-Villagra et al, 2016;Theofanopoulou, 2017). Stronger neurological responses to infants with kindchenschema have been shown in parents as opposed to those without children (Thompson-Booth et al, 2014), as well as in females (Hildebrandt & Fitzgerald, 1978;Lobmaier et al, 2010;Sternglanz et al, 1977;Sprengelmeyer et al, 2009).…”

Loquens : A characterization of “Hunter-Gatherers of Words”

“…My starting point to gain insight into the underpinnings of socio-demographic differences across closely related species comes from evidence in favor of a hypothesis that has gained traction in recent years, the "selfdomestication" hypothesis (Hare, 2017;Theofanopoulou et al, 2017;Wrangham, 2019;Zanella et al, 2019;Spikins, 2022;Boeckx et al, 2022). Part of the reason this hypothesis is currently popular stems from the possibility of identifying deep homology and convergence of molecular mechanisms between canonical domesticated species like dogs and species claimed to have undergone a similar process of reduction in reactive aggression (possibly coupled with, or followed by a neurocristopathic process).…”

“…Such a possibility to test a hypothesis arises in the context of analytic options afforded by the availability of ancient genomes, which has not only revolutionized our understanding of our lineage's deep past, but also that of domesticated species (Frantz et al, 2020). Initial work along these lines (Theofanopoulou et al, 2017) highlighted the role of neurotransmitters. This received additional support from a systematic examination of more species and a more detailed characterization of the nature of neurotransmitters associated with signals of positive selection (O'Rourke and .…”