Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences· 2026Q1
Domestication as gene–culture coevolution
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- 2026year
Short summary
A new model reveals that domestication involves a feedback loop where human cultural preferences drive domesticate genetic changes, which in turn influence human preferences.
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Key points
- Presents a model for domestication incorporating gene-culture coevolution.
- Human preferences directly influence domesticate genetic evolution.
- Domesticate phenotype changes can feedback to alter human cultural preferences.
- Model predicts potential for stable genetic/cultural polymorphisms and cyclical dynamics.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Human preferences can shape the genetic evolution of other species via conservation practices, public health actions, and domestication. While the dynamics of domestication have been explored in depth through empirical and theoretical analyses, few studies have analyzed models for the coevolution of human cultural preferences with the genetics of a domesticate population. Humans shape the fitness landscape of domesticate populations both intentionally and unconsciously, by selecting for desirable traits and modifying environments; in turn, changes in domesticate phenotypes can affect the cultural preferences in the domesticator population. We present a model for the dynamics of domestication which includes interactions between genetic evolution, cultural transmission, and selective pressures. The model includes forms of selection due to culturally transmitted domesticator preferences that can affect the dynamics of domesticate genetic variants, which then affect the dynamics of domesticators. Equilibria with simultaneous genetic and cultural polymorphisms may exist, and may occur under apparent heterozygote disadvantage in the domesticate. Stable quasiperiodic cycles in both domesticates and domesticators are also possible.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Cultural Studies
Cultural StudiesSocial Sciences