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DNA and phylogenetic evidence

Genetic technologies
Traits
Archaeological evidence
Behavioral evidence
Domestic cat breed differentiation
Contemporary breeds
See also
References
Domestication of the cat

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An example of a domesticated, indoor cat

The domestic cat originated from Near-Eastern and Egyptian populations of the
African wildcat, Felis lybica lybica. The family Felidae, to which all living
feline species belong, is theorized to have arisen about 12 to 13 million years ago
and is divided into eight major phylogenetic lineages. The Felis lineage in
particular is the lineage to which the domestic cat belongs.[1]: 84
Several investigations have shown that all domestic varieties of cats come from a
single species of the Felis lineage, Felis catus. Variations of this lineage are
found across the world, and until recently scientists have found it difficult to
identify exactly which region gave rise to modern domestic cat breeds. Scientists
believed that it was not just one incident that led to the domesticated cat but
multiple independent incidents at different places that led to these breeds. More
complications arose from the fact that wildcat populations as a whole are very
widespread and very similar to one another. These variations of wildcats can and
will interbreed freely with one another when in close contact, further blurring the
lines between taxa.[2] Recent DNA studies, advancement in genetic technologies, and
a better understanding of DNA and genetics as a whole has helped make discoveries
in the evolutionary history of the domestic cat.[3] Archaeological evidence has
documented earlier dates of domestication than formerly believed.

DNA and phylogenetic evidence

The head of a European Wildcat
A European wildcat, one of the possible ancestors of the modern domestic cat
Current taxonomy tends to treat F. silvestris, F. lybica, F. catus,[4] and F. bieti
as different species. A 2007 study of feline mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites
of approximately 1,000 cats from many different regions (including Africa,
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Middle East) showed 5 genetic lineages of
the wildcat population.[5] These lineages included:

Felis silvestris silvestris[6] (Europe)

Felis silvestris bieti[7] (China)
Felis silvestris ornata[8] (Central Asia)
Felis silvestris cafra[9] (Southern Africa)
Felis silvestris lybica[10] (Middle East)
This study showed that African wildcat (F. s. lybica) included domesticated cats
and that wild cats from this group are almost indistinguishable from domesticated
cats.[5] Along with DNA analysis, phylogenetic studies were also conducted to
narrow down the evolutionary history. Phylogenetic trees were generated based on
mitochondrial DNA analysis.

In each study Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and parsimony maximum likelihood trees
all produced identical results. They each show that F. s. ornata, F. s. cafra, and
F. s. lybica were all very closely related to a common ancestor. It also showed
that this group of variations are monophyletic, meaning they share a common
ancestor not shared by other groups. The trees also helped show that F. s. lybica
gave rise to the domesticated cats of today. F. s. silvestris showed a very early
branching away from the other groups, but still shares a very early common ancestor
with the rest of the clades.[5]

Domesticated cats originated[11] from near-eastern and Egyptian populations of F.

s. lybica. The former gathered around human agricultural colonies themselves, while
the latter (~1500 BC) seems mainly attractive in behavioral traits. They started
spreading during neolithic times, but did not become widespread in the Old World
until classical antiquity.[12] A newer study from 2018 moves the earlier origin to
Southwest Asia.[13]

Genetic technologies

5 week old (left) vs 5 month old (right) Maine Coon

Scientists and veterinarians specifically have incorporated an important tool known
as race and breed identification panels to learn more about the specific genetics
that align with these dominating regions domesticated cat breeds originate from.
[14] While the primary lineages are listed above with their respective regions,
this form of genetic technology made it possible to simplify and distinguish
certain areas of these regions. For example, the Maine Coon breed was predominately
from Western Europe, while the Siamese breed dominated in Southeast Asia.[14] Tests
showing the DNA markers that are used to distinguish genetic discrepancies in a
forensic manner can also be purchased by an owner for individual use.[15]

An abundance of accessible sources that incorporate breed identification panels can

be utilized for personal use by breeders and owners to determine the genetic workup
of a domesticated cat. Due to the highly known genetic distinction within the
Felidae family, "this international cat parentage and identification panel has a
power of exclusion comparable to panels used in other species, ranging from 90.08%
to 99.79% across breeds and 99.47% to 99.87% in random-bred cat populations."[15]
With such a high power of exclusion, it is to say that the possibility of genetic
similarities occurring within cat breeds are more uncommon than others.

Traits
A 2014 study compares many cat genomes with tiger and dog genomes. Genomic regions
under selection in domestic cats include those involved in neuronal processes (fear
and reward behavior) and in homologous recombination (increased recombination
frequency). In addition, the KIT mutations responsible for the white-spotted
phenotype were identified.[16]

The blotched tabby cat trait (Aminopeptidase Q mutation) arose in the Middle Ages.
Wild-type cats have a mackerel pattern.[12]

Archaeological evidence
Scientists also used archaeological and behavioral studies to help further solidify
the discovery that F.s. lybica was the common ancestor to domesticated cats.
Fragments of teeth and bone found at burial sites across the globe have all been
connected by DNA analysis to F.s. lybica, some dating as far back as 7,000–8,000
years ago. Originally the Egyptian populations were credited with the early
domestication of cats approximately 3,600 years ago but archaeological evidence
also disputed the hypothesis in 2004.[2]

In 2007, archaeologists working in Cyprus found an even older burial ground, a

Neolithic site that is approximately 9,500 years old, of a 30-year-old man buried
with a cat.[17] Cats are not native to this area, which means the tribe must have
brought the cats with them when they established residence on the island. This
finding suggests that people from the Middle Eastern region of the Old World began
keeping cats thousands of years earlier than the Egyptians.[2]

Behavioral evidence
Behavioral analysis of F.s. silvestris (the European wildcat), which was thought to
also be a common ancestor to domesticated cats, showed that there were significant
differences between the two. F.s. silvestris has a tendency to be very timid and
aggressive even when they are raised starting as kittens around a human population.
This group was also very territorial and showed aggressive behavior within their
own species as well. Hybrids between domesticated cats and silvestris showed less
aggressive behavior and more docile temperament, leading the scientist to believe
that the behavioral difference was genetic and most likely due to a difference in
species.[1]: 85 This evidence suggests F.s. lybica is likely to be the common
ancestor of all domesticated cats today.

Domestic cat breed differentiation

Unlike other domesticated animals, which have been bred for different physical
traits to help with tasks, such as food, hunting, or security, modern cat breeds
originated mostly within the last 150 years from breeding for physical traits with
no differentiation in functionality—just aesthetic differences.[18] Also different
from other domesticated mammals, domesticated cat breeds have very few genetic
differences from their wild counterparts due to constant intermixing, with
thousands of years of genetic exchanges in both directions. The few genes that
control physical characteristics such as hair color and pattern are what
differentiate the modern wildcat population from domesticated cats.[19]
Domesticated cat breeds are also unique in the fact that there are only 40–50
genetically distinct breeds while other domesticated animals can have anywhere from
65 to 100 genetically distinct breeds.[18]

Contemporary breeds
A Sphynx cat relaxing on a fluffy blanket
A Sphynx cat, one of the cat breeds resulting from human breeding practices during
the last century and a half
In 1871 only five cat breeds were recognized by an association in London. Today the
US-based Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognizes 41 breeds [20] and The
International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes 57 breeds.[21] Most of these breeds
are defined by phenotypic, or visible, characteristics, most of which are single
gene traits found at low to moderate levels in the non-pedigree cat. These
characteristics are rare and not seen in the common house cat. Unlike most pet
dogs, which come from a mixture of purebreed lineages, cats started as a mixture of
many wildcat variations and have been selectively bred by humans for certain traits
that lead to modern breeds. This has allowed for a large increase in the number of
breeds in a shorter amount of time. This is also the reason why associations that
classify cat breeds use the word "pedigreed", as domestic cats do not have true
purebred forms.[21]

DNA studies have been conducted to connect the pedigree lines to those which freely
bred at random. These studies were conducted using the same techniques as mentioned
above, mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites were examined to find the common
ancestor. All cat breeds were found to have originated in eight different regions
and then selectively bred multiple times throughout history and relocated multiple
times, leading to the approximately 45 modern breeds. These eight lineages include
Europe, Egypt, India, Southeast Asia, Arabian Sea, East Asia, and the
Mediterranean.[22]

See also
icon Biology portal
icon Cats portal
Cat § Domestication
Cat genetics
Domestication
Felidae § Evolution
References
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Driscoll, Carlos (2009). "The Taming of the Cat. Genetic and Archaeological
findings hint that wildcats became housecats earlier- and in different place- than
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