Genetic evidence for Near-Eastern origins of European cattle

摘要: The limited ranges of the wild progenitors many primary European domestic species point to their origins further east in Anatolia or fertile crescent. ox (Bos primigenius), however, ranged widely and it is unknown whether was domesticated within Europe as one feature a local contribution farming economy. Here we examine mitochondrial DNA control-region sequence variation from 392 extant animals sampled Europe, Africa Near East, compare this with data four extinct British oxen. ancient sequences cluster tightly phylogenetic analysis are clearly distinct modern cattle. Network Bos taurus identifies star-like clusters haplotypes, intra-cluster diversities that approximate expected time depth history. Notably, these predominates three encountered at substantial frequency East. In contrast, African diversity almost exclusively composed separate haplogroup, which only rarely elsewhere. These provide strong support for derived Near-Eastern origin