Caturday felid trifecta: The Kiffness; “Darwin’s Cats”: a citizen-science initiative; disco cat ballet ; and lagniappe
We begin today’s cat trifecta with the in comparable Kiffness, who often makes songs out of cat noises. Here he presents a song called “Look I’m Gay (Why Are You Gay?” I suppose the answer is, “I was born that way.” ******************** This article from ZME Science (click screenshot to read) gives you an … Continue reading Caturday felid trifecta: The Kiffness; “Darwin’s Cats”: a citizen-science initiative; disco cat ballet ; and lagniappe
We begin today’s cat trifecta with the in comparable Kiffness, who often makes songs out of cat noises. Here he presents a song called “Look I’m Gay (Why Are You Gay?” I suppose the answer is, “I was born that way.”
********************
This article from ZME Science (click screenshot to read) gives you an opportunity to participate in a citizen-science project about can ancestry and behavior, even getting a DNA sample from your cat (that costs extra);
An excerpt:
“Cats are one of the least-studied companion animals in genomics, and as a result we are missing out on all that genetics can tell us about their ancestry, behavior, and health,” said Dr. Elinor Karlsson, Chief Scientist at Darwin’s Ark and Director of the Vertebrate Genomics Group at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. “That’s why I’m so excited about Darwin’s Cats’ fur-based DNA collection. It’s easy on the cat and easy to scale, making it possible for us to level up cat genetics research.”
Warning: clicking on the link above takes you to a post on the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth. The “Darwin’s Cats” page is here.
Darwin’s Cats was launched in mid-2024 and has already analyzed genetic data from over 3,000 cats. Traditionally, collecting an animal’s DNA required either a cheek swab or, worse, a blood draw — both of which cats tend to resent. Darwin’s Cats is bypassing the battle with claws and fangs by introducing a revolutionary, stress-free method: DNA extraction from fur.
Joining is simple. Any cat owner can sign up for free. You then share details about your cat’s appearance, health, and behavior. Those who wish to go a step further can order a DNA sequencing kit with a tax-deductible $150 donation, which covers the cost of sequencing and analysis. Once 1,000 samples have been processed, participants will receive insights into their cat’s genetic background.
. . . Cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years, yet they remain, in many ways, an enigma. Unlike dogs, whose domestication was carefully shaped by human breeding, cats largely domesticated themselves. Understanding their genetics could reveal not just the hidden history of our housecats, but also help us figure out ways to keep them healthier for longer.
And while this project is about unraveling feline DNA, it’s also about something bigger: bringing everyday people (and cats) into the world of genetic research. By crowd-sourcing data from thousands of cats, researchers can finally fill the gaps in our understanding of feline evolution and domestication. In short, this study could help cats live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Researchers who weren’t involved with the study also praised the initiative. A spokesperson for the charity International Cat Care (iCatCare) told The Guardian: “We’re really interested in the collaborative approach of Darwin’s Ark, particularly in encouraging pet owners as community scientists to help advance the collective scientific understanding of cats as a species.”
You have to sign up to do this, and yes, you can take research surveys, but the main point seems to be to squeeze money out of you to get your cat’s DNA sequenced. What will that tell you? “50% alley, 10% Persian, 40% Ashkenazi Jew”? But there are other sites that do this too. Here’s one that will sequence your cat’s entire genome for $499. The Guardian has an article on this project that makes it seem more serious (click to read):
An excerpt:
Cat owners are being asked share their pet’s quirky traits and even post researchers their fur in an effort to shed light on how cats’ health and behaviour are influenced by their genetics.
The scientists behind the project, Darwin’s Cats, are hoping to enrol 100,000 felines, from pedigrees to moggies, with the DNA of 5,000 cats expected to be sequenced in the next year.
The team say the goal is to produce the world’s largest feline genetic database.
“Unlike most existing databases, which tend to focus on specific breeds or veterinary applications, Darwin’s Cats is building a diverse, large-scale dataset that includes pet cats, strays and mixed breeds from all walks of life,” said Dr Elinor Karlsson, the chief scientist at the US nonprofit organisation Darwin’s Ark, director of the vertebrate genomics group at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and associate professor at the UMass Chan medical school.
“It’s important to note, this is an open data project, so we will share the data with other scientists as the dataset grows,” she added.
The project follows on the heels of Darwin’s Dogs, a similar endeavour that has shed light on aspects of canine behaviour, disease and the genetic origins of modern breeds.
Darwin’s Cats was launched in mid-2024 and already has more than 3,000 cats enrolled, although not all have submitted fur samples.
Participants from all parts of the world are asked to complete a number of free surveys about their pet’s physical traits, behaviour, environment, and health.
However, at present, DNA kits – for owners to submit fur samples – can be sent only to US residents, and a donation of $150 (£120) for one cat is requested to cover the cost of sequencing and help fund the research.
Karlsson added the team had developed a method to obtain high-quality DNA from loose fur without needing its roots – meaning samples can simply be collected by brushing.
The researchers hope that by combining insights from cats’ DNA with the survey results they can shed light on how feline genetics influences what cats look like, how they act and the diseases they experience.
But of course if they’re building a genetic database they need genetics, and that means they need that $150 out of your pocket. If you’re willing to do that, fine, but do you get any information back about your cat, or are you just funding another group’s research project? I don’t know, but if you’re helping them, you shouldn’t have to pay!
*************************
Finally, from Instagram, a “1970s vintage psychedelic disco cat ballet”.
*************************
Lagniappe: Cats react to mice shown on t.v.: a “Whak-A-Mouse” game that seems to keep the cat entertained.
h/t: Debra, Ginger K.
