--One can mix and match the Creator's Genetic Building Blocks.
“Purring, a unique vocalization in cats, plays a key role in vocal communication.”
Initially, purring may serve to signal good health to the mother but continues to aid communication among cats beyond lactation.
In affiliative contexts, purring fosters security and comfort, expresses friendliness, and invites play; however, its exact function remains unclear.
For the study, the researchers conducted a behavior assessment of 280 cats, all of which were spayed or neutered mixed breeds kept in their owners’ homes.
Cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene displayed higher owner-assessed purring scores than those with long-type gene.
Additionally, short-type males exhibited higher vocalization toward humans, indicating the gene’s connection to vocal communication.
In contrast, female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression.
These results may also reveal a decrease in the importance of vocal communication for cats raised by humans since kittenhood, which are typically pure-breed cats.
“Purring, a unique vocalization in cats, plays a key role in vocal communication.”
Initially, purring may serve to signal good health to the mother but continues to aid communication among cats beyond lactation.
In affiliative contexts, purring fosters security and comfort, expresses friendliness, and invites play; however, its exact function remains unclear.
Cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene displayed higher owner-assessed purring scores than those with long-type gene.
Additionally, short-type males exhibited higher vocalization toward humans, indicating the gene’s connection to vocal communication.
In contrast, female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression.
These results may also reveal a decrease in the importance of vocal communication for cats raised by humans since kittenhood, which are typically pure-breed cats.
Previous studies indicate that pure-breed cats are more likely to carry the long-type gene than mixed-breed cats.
Many mixed breed cats in this study are rescued former stray cats, which may imply that rescues tend to meow more.
Comparing the cat’s genes to that of 11 other felid species, the scientists found that the leopard cat and the fishing cat, both closely related to domestic cats, possessed only the short-type, whereas domestic cats had longer types not found in the other species.
These findings suggest that the emergence of these longer types may be a result of genetic changes associated with domestication and selective breeding."
Comparing the cat’s genes to that of 11 other felid species, the scientists found that the leopard cat and the fishing cat, both closely related to domestic cats, possessed only the short-type, whereas domestic cats had longer types not found in the other species.
These findings suggest that the emergence of these longer types may be a result of genetic changes associated with domestication and selective breeding."
ScienceNews
