Work

Convergent evolution of dogs and humans: a promising new model system for human social behaviors and mental health

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ) were domesticated from an extinct gray wolf lineage at least 15 000 years ago [1 -5 ].Strong artificial selection has produced over 450 recognized breeds with remarkably diverse traits, most of which were established within the last 200 years.As humans' closest companion animals, dogs uniquely combine shared living environments and resources with multifaceted societal roles in work and service.Driven by their deeply intertwined ecological niche and convergent evolution, dogs and humans have evolved striking similarities in social behavior and cognition, resulting in exceptional interspecific sociability and communication.These characteristics make dogs a promising new largeanimal model for studying mechanisms underlying social behaviors and mental disorders.

Source: National Science Review

DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwag405

Authors: Yan-Hu Liu, Yun Yu, Enikő Kubinyi, Ya-Ping Zhang

Institutions: Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Yunnan University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Human-Animal Interaction Studies

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences