Researchers at the University of Georgia published a study after comparing DNA from more than 3,000 dogs, wolves and coyotes. The work is the first to point to a likely genetic basis for ear size in canines. The study found that ear length is linked to genomic differences near the gene MSRB3, a gene also connected to hearing loss in people.
Leigh Anne Clark, the corresponding author and an associate professor at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, said the team used only drop-eared dogs. They expected no differences at that genome location because the dogs all had floppy ears. Instead, they found a combination of different DNA sequences, or alleles, at the locus that dictates prick versus drop ears, plus an extra allele that determines ear length.
The project was inspired by an undergraduate researcher’s cocker spaniel. The paper lists coauthors from UGA and the University of Minnesota. The researchers say the genetic information can help disease mapping and could allow breeders to use tests to reduce harmful variants over time.
Difficult words
- genomic — related to an organism's genes or DNA
- allele — one version of a gene at a locationalleles
- locus — specific place on a chromosome for a gene
- corresponding author — author who communicates with journal editors
- drop-eared — having ears that hang down, not stand up
- floppy — soft and hanging loosely from the head
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think breeders should use genetic tests to reduce harmful variants? Why or why not?
- How could knowing a dog's genes help veterinarians or dog owners?
- Has a pet's appearance, like ear size, ever affected your choice of animal? Explain briefly.
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