Recent research from Baylor University has revealed an intriguing finding: coyotes are capable of displaying the beloved “puppy dog eyes” expression, a trait typically associated with domestic dogs.
Led by Patrick Cunningham, a Ph.D. student in Biology, this study, titled “Coyotes can do ‘puppy dog eyes’ too: Comparing interspecific variation in Canis facial expression muscles,” was published in the Royal Society Open Science.
It challenges the long-held belief that such expressions evolved exclusively in dogs due to domestication.
Study Focus and Findings
The research centered on a specific muscle known as the levator anguli oculi medialis (LAOM), which is responsible for lifting the inner eyebrows to create the iconic look.
The findings revealed that coyotes possess a well-developed version of this muscle, much like their domestic counterparts.
This revelation raises questions about the traditional idea that the LAOM developed solely to facilitate communication with humans during domestication.
Cunningham explained that the ability to show “puppy dog eyes” is not limited to dogs; it is a trait shared among different species within the Canis genus.
This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for researching how facial expressions impact communication and survival strategies in wild canids.
Comparative Analysis of Facial Musculature
The research team conducted a detailed examination of facial musculature across coyotes, domestic dogs, and gray wolves.
Notably, both coyotes and dogs exhibited a distinctly developed LAOM, whereas this muscle is either absent or significantly altered in gray wolves.
This observation challenges the view that selective breeding by humans was the only factor influencing the development of this muscle in dogs.
Instead, it suggests that a common ancestor of dogs, coyotes, and wolves originally had the LAOM, which diminished or disappeared in the wolf lineage.
Additionally, the study highlighted significant variability in the facial muscles of coyotes, especially concerning movements of their eyebrows and lips.
By analyzing genetic data, researchers confirmed that the coyotes studied lacked notable ancestry with domestic dogs, reinforcing the idea that these facial traits are intrinsic to coyotes and not a result of crossbreeding.
Implications for Future Research
These findings highlight the interconnected evolutionary story shared by coyotes and dogs, underscoring their capacity for expressions that were previously thought exclusive to domesticated animals.
Moreover, this research enhances our understanding of how facial expressions have evolved in mammals.
It suggests that the development of the LAOM might have originally been linked to functions related to vision and mobility, rather than simply facilitating human interaction, as was once believed.
Looking forward, further studies involving other canid species, such as red wolves and African wild dogs, could provide deeper insights into the evolutionary significance of facial expressions and their role in survival and communication among various species.
Source: ScienceDaily