Divergent mtDNA lineages of goats in an Early Neolithic site, far from the initial domestication areas.

ABSTRACT: Goats were among the first farm animals domesticated, approximately 10,500 years ago, contributing to the rise of the "Neolithic revolution." Previous genetic studies have revealed that contemporary domestic goats (Capra hircus) show far weaker intercontinental population structuring than other livestock species, suggesting that goats have been transported more extensively. However, the timing of these extensive movements in goats remains unknown. To address this question, we analyzed mtDNA sequences from 19 ancient goat bones (7,300-6,900 years old) from one of the earliest Neolithic sites in southwestern Europe. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two highly divergent goat lineages coexisted in each of the two Early Neolithic layers of this site. This finding indicates that high mtDNA di

SUBMITTER: Fernandez H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1622831 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature