Meaning of recede

"The skin on the coyote's neck began to undulate and surge and took on the shape of a human face. The fur receded from the face, then away from the front legs, which became arms, then down the back legs, which lengthened into crouching human legs."

which of the following definitions of recede best fits the passage? Thanks so much.

1 [intransitive] to move gradually away from somebody or away from a previous positionThe sound of the truck receded into the distance.She watched his receding figure.

2 [intransitive] (especially of a problem, feeling or quality) to become gradually weaker or smallerThe prospect of bankruptcy has now receded (= it is less likely).The pain was receding slightly.

3 [intransitive] (of hair) to stop growing at the front of the head a middle-aged man with receding hair/a receding hairline

4 [intransitive] a recede chin a chin that slopes backwards towards the neck