Face to Face: Impacts of Expressive Communication and Domestication on Eye Muscle Morphology in Canids

Humans and dogs have a unique shared evolution. The domestication of dogs and their coexistence with humans have influenced the biological and social development of both people and dogs. While the suite of physical changes that now separates dogs from extent wolves has largely been selected for by humans, evidence suggests that some changes may not have been as deliberately cultivated by humans as others. In adapting to the social environment of humans, dogs have acquired both behavioral and anatomical traits that engender successful interaction with humans, specifically in regard to communication. In particular, dogs make eye contact with humans and communicate via facial expression. This study evaluates the potential impact of such communication in domesticated canids on variation in morphology of muscles around the eye – that is, does dogs’ socially advantageous proclivity for “talking” with their eyes also distinguish them anatomically from other canid species?

Author

• Sexton, Courtney Lynn

Language

• en

Keyword

• comparative anatomy
• domestication
• dogs
• coevolution
• gestural communication

Date created

• 2019

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Hominid Paleobiology

Degree

• M.S.

Advisor

• Subiaul, Francys
• Diogo, Rui

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/p8418n85d