This paper reviews the recent burst of research conducted on ancient genomes and how this relates to studies of animal domestication. The methods of studying ancient genomes has improved significantly, allowing scientists to better understand how humans have forever altered the genomes of animals through domestication. We can also look at the origins of animal domestication, and the genetic mechanisms at play during the process. Were domesticated and wild populations reproductively isolated? Was domestication the result of the founder effects? Evidence points to introgression between populations, with no clear bottlenecks for several species. How were domesticated animals dispersed globally, and how does this relate to human history? Lastly, understanding how and when traits were artificially selected provides context for what humans needed from animals during domestication and the extent to which these results are still evident today. The authors conclude that the full scope of what ancient genome studies can tell us about animal domestication remains to be seen.
Rachel Nelson
4/7, Nature Reviews Genetics Potluck #3
No comments:
Post a Comment