A new study revealed that the domestication of ancient African cattle first begun in areas that now make modern day Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Israel.
Common belief has it that Africans domesticated cattle native to the region nearly 10,000 years ago. After completing a genetic history study of 134 cattle breeds from around the world, University of Missouri researchers found that the domestication of ancient African cattle first begun in areas that now make modern day Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Israel. This region is known as the "Fertile Crescent."
According to the findings of the study, researchers discovered that the genetics of these African cattle breeds are similar to those of cattle first domesticated in the Middle East nearly 10,000 years ago. The cattle from this region then interbred with wild cattle, or aurochs from Africa which resulted in a change in their genetic makeup.
"In many ways, the history of cattle genetics mirrors human history," lead researcher Jared Decker said in apress statement. "In the case of African cattle, anthropologists and geneticists used to suspect that domesticated African cattle were native to the continent, when in fact, they were brought by migrating peoples thousands of years ago. By better understanding the history of the animals we domesticate, we can better understand ourselves."
Researchers also found that the Texas longhorns, a unique American cattle breed, were a result of interbreeding between Spanish cattle and breeds of Zebu. Native cattle in Indonesia were also a result of interbreeding between exports from India, Europe and African cattle.
If animal farmers want to maximize their herds' meat and dairy production, they should encourage cattle breeding. A proper understanding of the genetic history of cattle breeds is important to better solve agricultural issues.
"Now that we have this more complete genetic history of cattle worldwide, we can better understand the diversity of the species," Decker said. "By understanding the variations present, we can improve cattle for agricultural purposes, whether that is through breeding more disease-resistant animals or finding ways to increase dairy or beef production."
The study was published in PLOS Genetics and funded by the National Research Initiative and Education and Extension Service and National Research Initiative.
