Scientists discover mystery genes behind a cat's purr and behaviour
The study, published in PLoS One, assessed the behavior of 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats and analyzed their DNA, focusing on the androgen receptor gene.
Researchers found that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene showed higher owner-assessed purring, while male cats with this gene exhibited higher vocalization towards humans.
Female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression, and mixed-breed cats and rescues tended to meow more, contrasting with pure-breed cats who are more likely to carry the long-type gene.
The findings suggest that longer androgen receptor genes in domestic cats may have emerged due to domestication and selective breeding, potentially helping predict house cat behavioral tendencies and enhance feline care.
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