La domesticazione del cavallo ha portato alla quasi-estinzione delle specie selvatiche e importanti cambiamenti genetici e fisiologici a questo animale, che si è adattato per rispondere alle necessità dell'uomo.
È quanto rivela una ricerca genetica internazionale, che ha analizzato genomi di specie equine a partire da fossili appartenenti a cavalli vissuti tra i 16'000 e i 43'000 anni fa. Paragonando i genomi con quelli di specie contemporanee, gli scienziati hanno identificato un gruppo di geni sui quali la domesticazione ha avuto un grande impatto; questi sono, in particolare, quelli responsabili della formazione muscolare, degli arti, delle articolazioni e del sistema cardiaco.
I ricercatori hanno però anche constatato mutazioni genetiche legate al comportamento sociale e alle capacità di apprendimento di questo animale, il cui sviluppo è spesso legato alle attività dell'uomo di cui è stato, nel corso della storia, fonte di cibo, mezzo di locomozione e strumento di guerra.
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