New genetic analysis rewrites cat domestication history
Recent discoveries in genetic analysis are challenging long-held beliefs about the domestication of cats, suggesting they emerged as companions to humans far more recently than previously thought, reports BritPanorama.
Traditionally, it was believed that cats and humans formed bonds about 9,500 years ago in the Levant, coinciding with the advent of agriculture. This relationship was attributed to an influx of rodents drawn to grain stores, which in turn attracted wildcats, leading to their domestication.
New research indicates that the genetic lineage of today’s domestic cats diverges from these early felines, as genetic material from ancient remains studied across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia revealed distinct differences. “We started to interrogate the bones that are ascribed to domestic cats that go back 10,000 years and find which actually have the same genomes as the modern cat population that now dominates,” said Greger Larson, a professor from the University of Oxford and coauthor of research published recently.
This analysis establishes that modern domestic cats descended from their ancestors in North Africa, challenging the notion of their origins in the Levant. The findings were part of a study examining 87 genomes, establishing a link to the African wildcat, Felis lybica lybica.
According to researchers, the genetic material aligns with the timeline when these cats spread across Europe due to the expansion of the Roman Empire. By AD 730, evidence suggests domestic cats entered China, likely moving along routes such as the Silk Road, with one study showcasing DNA from bones found in China spanning 5,000 years.
Interestingly, an entirely different species known as the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) coexisted with humans from at least 5,400 years ago until around AD 150. This species had a unique relationship with humans that was described as “commensal,” wherein both species benefited but were not deliberately controlled. While the leopard cat helped manage rodent populations, they were also prone to preying on chickens, diminishing their viability as domesticated animals.
Changing dynamics in human-animal relationships
The findings indicate agricultural practices in China possibly altered the dynamics of interactions with wildlife, including leopard cats. As farming practices transitioned from free-ranging poultry to more confined settings, it likely led to conflict and a gradual retreat of leopard cats from human settlements.
“The human-leopard cat commensal relationship eventually ended, and leopard cats returned to their natural habitats,” said Shu-jin Luo, a senior author of the study focused on China. Importantly, this does not imply extinction; rather, they persist hidden in forest ecosystems.
The disparities in domestication may also arise from the leopard cat’s predilection for preying upon livestock, which invoked conflict with farmers. “Their strong tendency to prey on chickens would have made leopard cats increasingly unwelcome around human settlements,” Luo added.
Recent analysis notes that by 200 BC, the remains found at archaeological sites across Europe were identifiable as wildcats of the species Felis silvestris, suggesting they may have cohabitated with humans without being domesticated. Jonathan Losos, a biology professor, emphasizes that even with the progress made, our understanding of domestic cats’ history remains incomplete due to a scarcity of archaeological samples from key regions.
The exploration into the genetic history of cats underscores the complex interplay of domestication, agriculture, and shifting human-animal relationships throughout history, revealing insights into the enduring bond between humans and their feline companions.
