1. The genomic history and global expansion of domestic donkeys.
- Author
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Todd ET, Tonasso-Calvière L, Chauvey L, Schiavinato S, Fages A, Seguin-Orlando A, Clavel P, Khan N, Pérez Pardal L, Patterson Rosa L, Librado P, Ringbauer H, Verdugo M, Southon J, Aury JM, Perdereau A, Vila E, Marzullo M, Prato O, Tecchiati U, Bagnasco Gianni G, Tagliacozzo A, Tinè V, Alhaique F, Cardoso JL, Valente MJ, Telles Antunes M, Frantz L, Shapiro B, Bradley DG, Boulbes N, Gardeisen A, Horwitz LK, Öztan A, Arbuckle BS, Onar V, Clavel B, Lepetz S, Vahdati AA, Davoudi H, Mohaseb A, Mashkour M, Bouchez O, Donnadieu C, Wincker P, Brooks SA, Beja-Pereira A, Wu DD, and Orlando L
- Subjects
- Africa, Animals, Asia, Genomics, Humans, Phylogeny, Domestication, Equidae classification, Equidae genetics, Genome
- Abstract
Donkeys transformed human history as essential beasts of burden for long-distance movement, especially across semi-arid and upland environments. They remain insufficiently studied despite globally expanding and providing key support to low- to middle-income communities. To elucidate their domestication history, we constructed a comprehensive genome panel of 207 modern and 31 ancient donkeys, as well as 15 wild equids. We found a strong phylogeographic structure in modern donkeys that supports a single domestication in Africa ~5000 BCE, followed by further expansions in this continent and Eurasia and ultimately returning to Africa. We uncover a previously unknown genetic lineage in the Levant ~200 BCE, which contributed increasing ancestry toward Asia. Donkey management involved inbreeding and the production of giant bloodlines at a time when mules were essential to the Roman economy and military.
- Published
- 2022
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