Domestication
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Domestication is a multi-generational mutualistic relationship in which an animal species, such as humans or leafcutter ants, takes over control and care of another species, such as sheep or fungi, to
Dogs and sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated, at least 15,000 and 11,000 years ago respectively.
Rice was domesticated in China, some 9,000 years ago.
Rough timelines of domestication for 11 animal species
Domesticated animals tend to be smaller and less aggressive than their wild counterparts; many have other domestication syndrome traits like shorter muzzles. Skulls of grey wolf (left), chihuahua dog (right)
Leafcutter ant
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Leafcutter ants are several species of fungus-growing ants that share the behaviour of cutting leaves which they carry back to their nests to farm fungus. Next to humans, leafcutter ants form some of
Domestication
…Domestication is a multi-generational mutualistic relationship in which an animal species, such as humans or leafcutter ants, takes over control and care of another species, such as sheep or fungi, to obtain from them a steady supply of resources, such as meat, milk, or labor…
Atta cephalotes, Wilhelma Zoo, Stuttgart
Atta colombica, queen with larvae and workers on substrate
Leafcutter ant Atta cephalotes
Workers of Atta colombica at work