Y-SNPs Do Not Indicate Hybridisation between European Aurochs and Domestic Cattle

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious genetic studies of modern and ancient mitochondrial DNA have confirmed the Near Eastern origin of early European domestic cattle. However, these studies were not able to test whether hybridisation with male aurochs occurred post-domestication. To address this issue, Götherström and colleagues (2005) investigated the frequencies of two Y-chromosomal haplotypes in extant bulls. They found a significant influence of wild aurochs males on domestic populations thus challenging the common view on early domestication and Neolithic stock-rearing. To test their hypothesis, we applied these Y-markers on Neolithic bone specimens from various European archaeological sites.Methods and FindingsHere, we have analysed the ancient DNA of 59 Neolithic skeletal samples. After initial molecular sexing, two segregating Y-SNPs were identified in 13 bulls. Strikingly, our results do not support the hypothesis that these markers distinguish European aurochs from domesticated cattle.ConclusionsThe model of a rapid introduction of domestic cattle into Central Europe without significant crossbreeding with local wild cattle remains unchallenged.

Multiple paternal origins of domestic cattle revealed by Y-specific interspersed multilocus microsatellites

“…However, more recent evidence obtained from ancient and medieval samples does not support this hypothesis (Bollongino et al, 2008;Svensson and Götherströ m, 2008), and the alternative model of a sudden introduction of domestic cattle into Central Europe without significant crossbreeding with local wild cattle remains unchallenged (Edwards et al, 2007a;Bollongino et al, 2008). Therefore, practical fixation of Y1 haplotypes in Northern Atlantic European cattle breeds would more likely be the result of drift Abbreviation: AMOVA, analysis of molecular variance.…”

“…This would indicate a greater genetic influence of the primitive European aurochs on the formation of modern cattle breeds in Europe (Beja-Pereira et al, 2006;Achilli et al, 2008). However, ancient DNA does not generally support significant crossbreeding between local European wild cattle and domesticated cattle (Edwards et al, 2007a;Bollongino et al, 2008). In addition, medieval Scandinavian samples largely belonged to haplogroup Y2 and, overall, this scenario would not be consistent with a conserved signal from the time of domestication (Svensson and Gö therströ m, 2008).…”

The Evolutionary Origin and Genetic Makeup of Domestic Horses

“…We expect that similar investigations will also largely advance our understanding of domestication processes when applied to other domestic animals. This work has already started in cattle (Edwards et al 2007;Bollongino et al 2008;Orlando 2015;Park et al 2015;Scheu et al 2015), dogs (Ollivier et al 2013;Thalmann et al 2013), swine (Edwards et al 2007;Meiri et al 2013;Ottoni et al 2013;Frantz et al 2015;Ramírez et al 2015), and chickens (Flink et al 2014).…”

On the origin of cattle: How aurochs became cattle and colonized the world

“…Initial experiments suggested that a Y-chromosomal haplotype in north European cattle breeds originated from European aurochs, 44 but this was not consistent with later findings. 45,46 Recent progress 41,[47][48][49] promises a differentiation of more Ychromosomal haplotypes in local breeds and ancient remains, which may very well further elucidate the origin and subsequent dispersal of bovine paternal lineages.…”