Evolution of the species Ovis aries

Area of Science:

• Archaeogenetics
• Animal Domestication
• Paleogenetics

Background:

• Sheep (Ovis aries) are among the earliest domesticated animals, crucial to Neolithic Southwest Eurasia.
• The precise location, timing, and post-domestication history of sheep remain incompletely understood.
• Existing research often places domestication within the Fertile Crescent, but new evidence suggests otherwise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the complex origins and evolutionary history of sheep domestication.
• To investigate the role of the Asian mouflon (Ovis gmelini) and other wild Ovis species.
• To summarize current understanding of phylogenetic relationships and global migration patterns.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of genetic markers, including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups.
• Phylogenetic analysis to determine phylogeographic patterns and divergence times.
• Review of archaeological and historical data on sheep introduction and spread.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests sheep domestication occurred on the Anatolian plateau, northwest of the traditional Fertile Crescent boundaries.
• The Asian mouflon (Ovis gmelini) is identified as the primary ancestor, with contributions from other wild Ovis species discussed.
• mtDNA analysis reveals sheep migration patterns from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
• Haplogroup A and B are associated with Asian-type and European-type sheep breeds in Eurasia, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Sheep domestication was a multifaceted process influenced by environmental changes and human selection.
• The Anatolian plateau is a key region for understanding early sheep domestication and subsequent global dispersal.
• Genetic studies, particularly mtDNA analysis, are vital for reconstructing sheep evolutionary history and migration routes.