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Ancient Plumage Colour Genetics Reveal Goose Domestication and Hybridization
Johanna Honka1, Suvi Olli1, Arthur O Askeyev2
1Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Animal Genetics
|July 12, 2026
Summary
Distinguishing domestic geese from wild greylags in archaeology is difficult. Genetic analysis of plumage color genes reveals domestication traits and historical interbreeding between European and Chinese domestic geese.
Area of Science:
- Archaeogenetics
- Animal Domestication
- Paleogenomics
Background:
- Differentiating European domestic geese (Anser anser domesticus) from wild greylag geese (Anser anser) in archaeological findings is challenging due to similar skeletal structures.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) can distinguish species but sometimes yields atypical or non-specific haplotypes.
- Plumage color variations, particularly white or mottled patterns, are strong indicators of goose domestication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genetic markers associated with plumage color in European domestic geese to aid in archaeological identification.
- To determine the genetic basis of white spotting and sex-linked dilution color in European domestic geese.
- To explore evidence of historical interbreeding between European and Chinese domestic geese using genetic markers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) upstream of the EDNRB2 gene associated with white spotting.
- Analysis of a 1-bp deletion in the Z-chromosomal MLANA gene responsible for sex-linked dilution color.
- Detection of a Chinese domestic goose (Anser cygnoid)-specific 14-bp insertion within the EDNRB2 gene, also linked to white coloration.
Main Results:
- Identified genetic variants (SNP in EDNRB2, deletion in MLANA) correlating with white spotting and sex-linked dilution, producing white plumage in European domestic geese.
- Observed various plumage patterns including solid wild type, white spotted, and nearly white with grey spots.
- Confirmed introgression from Chinese domestic geese into European domestic geese populations, evidenced by the presence of both European and Chinese white alleles in individuals from the 16th-17th centuries CE.
Conclusions:
- Genetic analysis of plumage color genes provides a reliable method for identifying domestic geese in archaeological contexts.
- The study elucidates the genetic mechanisms behind white plumage in European domestic geese.
- Evidence of historical gene flow between European and Chinese domestic geese highlights past trade and exchange networks.
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