Domestication and Human/Wildlife Mutualism

Bibliographic Data

ID6014684
AuthorsRaymond Pierotti (0000-0002-4753-2958, University of Kansas, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue4
Pages371-384
Publication date2024-11-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHumans (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2673-9461 • E-ISSN: 2673-9461
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/humans4040024
OpenAlexW4404373349
LanguageEN
References cited40

In this study, I discuss recent studies of human/wildlife mutualisms and suggest that several cases considered to represent domestication that has arisen through commensalism would be better considered as examples of mutualism between humans and various wild species. Species discussed include the only domesticated carnivores: cats (Felis sylvestris) and wolves (Canis lupus and C. dingo). I also discuss species over which there is considerable debate about whether they are domesticated or not: African (Loxodonta) and Asiatic elephants (Elphas). All of these species’ interactions include niche construction on the part of both species and influence human evolution at least a cultural level. I further argue that most contemporary domestic species currently exist in mutualistic relationships with humans because even though all of these species have been selected to benefit humans, all domestica species have also benefitted in terms of increased global and local population sizes and from more secure living conditions than can be found in their wild ancestors

Biology · Domestication · Evolutionary biology · Geography · Mutualism (biology · Wildlife · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology · Ecology

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