Heterochrony (changes in developmental rates and/or timing) has been successfully argued
as the most sigtufcant process in evolution. Heterochronic differences between species are
recognized in many vertebrate lineages, including hominids and domesticates. However,
the biological mechanism (s) that initiate and control heterochrony have not yet been
identified. Here I address the issue via an interdisciplinary perspective and extensive
literature review. Although domestic animals have traditionally been defined as products of …