Modern domesticated pigs are descendants of the wild boar(Susscrofa). Through the domestication process, human have artificially
selected for certain traits. Identify two of these traits, and briefly explain how they benefit modern society. Be sure to identify the trait, explain why it was artificially selected and how it benefits modern society.
Artificial selection is the process by which humans control desirable phenotypic characteristics in plants and animals by applying selective breeding techniques to perpetuate these traits in the population. A example of artificial selection includes the process of domestication of modern pigs (<em>Sus domesticus</em>). It has been shown that the modern pigs derived from the wild boar (<em>Sus scrofa</em>), which were domesticated separately 9,000 years ago in China and Western Asia. For example, by artificial selection, humans have domesticated moderns pigs to use them as livestock for direct consumption (i.e., for their meat). Moreover, there are pig populations that have been artificially selected as pets (e.g., miniature Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pigs).
Intrasexual Selection is when
members of the same sex within a species contend emulously with each other in
order to acquire chances to mate with others such as the male against male
competition for females. This type of selection often involves posturing and
fighting. Species or individuals suitable for intrasexual selection will possess
developed better weapons than their competitors.
