Artificial selection is the intentional breeding of organisms in order to produce particular traits. Another name for artificial selection is selective breeding. Examples of artificial selection include:
Dogs: Most current breeds of dogs are the result of artificial selection. Dogs were originally wolf-like animals. The more docile of these animals became domesticated by humans. Over time, dogs were bred to select for various desirable traits.
Cows: Cows that were found to produce more milk were selectively bred to other cows that yielded high amounts of milk. This lead to a population of cows that produce more milk.
Fish: Normally, there are many different sizes of fish in a given fish population. Fishing regulations that only allow the largest fish to be kept artificially select for an explosion of smaller fish. As the large fish are removed, the smaller fish are able to thrive and produce more small fish.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes were originally the size of blueberries. Over time, they were selectively bred for size and other desirable traits to become the tomatoes we know today.
Maize: Maize was originally a grass-like plant. Over time, larger and fuller kernals were selected for in order to produce a better food source.
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