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Pugs and Persians evolving to look alike
“Persian cats and pug and Pekingese dogs all have skull shapes that are very similar to each other, with flat and short faces, and their muzzles and palettes are tilted up in the same way ' - Abby Grace Drake.

The breeds have evolved with almost identical skulls.

A study by US scientists has revealed that intensive breeding has led to a tendency for “convergence”, a phenomenon where unrelated animals and plants evolve similar traits under similar characteristics.

The team from Cornell and Washington universities used CT scans to measure the skulls of brachycephalic dogs and cats, and found that certain breeds, like pugs and Persian cats, have evolved with almost identical skulls and smushed faces. 

Researchers believe that artificial selection, despite being evolutionarily separated for 50 million years, has caused these two species to converge to such an extreme that they are now more similar to each other than other breeds within their own species.

The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, is the first to observe the phenomenon in a domesticated species. 

Study author Abby Grace Drake, senior lecturer in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences, said: “Persian cats and pug and Pekingese dogs all have skull shapes that are very similar to each other, with flat and short faces, and their muzzles and palettes are tilted up in the same way.”

The study highlights the same pattern of convergence multiple times within
each species. In dogs, it occurred in bulldog breeds and Pekingese, Shih Tzus. In cats, it notes the same traits in Persian and Burmese breeds. 

Dr Drake believes the findings show how artificial selection has driven "remarkable" diversity in cats and dogs, with dog diversity being even more extreme. 

“We’re seeing this very large evolutionary variation within a species that’s only been evolving for a relatively very short amount of time,” Drake said. “That’s a remarkable thing to see in evolution, which takes millions of years, but we did it with dogs by pushing them to the extremes,” she said. 

Image (C) Shutterstock.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.