Dmitry Belyaev was a prominent Russian geneticist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of animal domestication. He is best recognized for his experiments with silver foxes, which demonstrated how selective breeding could lead to significant behavioral and physical changes in animals. His research provided insights into the domestication process and the genetic basis of traits associated with tameness. Belyaev's work began in the 1950s and continued for several decades, influencing both genetics and evolutionary biology. His studies highlighted the role of neoteny, where juvenile traits are retained in adult animals, and contributed to our understanding of how domestication affects species.