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Goat Genes Trace Ancient Spice Route
11 Sep
Summary
- Malabari goat mitochondrial genome study reveals ancient trade links.
- Goat lineage shows strong maternal ties to Iraq, Oman, and Gujarat.
- Study identifies novel mitochondrial tRNA mutation in goats.
Recent research has unveiled intriguing insights into the maternal genetic history of the Malabari goat, suggesting its origins are deeply intertwined with ancient maritime trade routes.
A study by the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the Malabari goat. This genetic analysis provides molecular evidence that these goats may have traveled along the historic Indian Ocean Spice Route, connecting the Malabar Coast with western India and the Arabian Peninsula.
The findings, published in Mammalian Genome, indicate a shared maternal ancestry among goat populations in Kerala, Gujarat, Oman, and Iraq. Specifically, the Malabari goat displayed a 99.7% mitochondrial sequence identity with Meriz goats from Iraq and showed close maternal genetic relationships with goats from Oman and Gujarat. This places them in mitochondrial haplogroup B1, a rare lineage found in only about 3% of domestic goats worldwide, tracing back to wild Bezoar goats from present-day Iran and Iraq.
Further highlighting the uniqueness of this breed, the study identified a novel mutation in the MT-TL2 gene. This discovery marks the first reported mitochondrial tRNA mutation in goats, adding another layer to the breed's distinct genetic profile. The Malabari goat is native to South Malabar and is valued for its milk, meat, and adaptability to Keralam's climate.
