Study Cites Origins of Domestic Goats
The first goats were domesticated about 10,000 years ago and that strain was disseminated all around the world, according to a new DNA study by French and Swiss researchers. Because goats are smaller than cows, they represent a more portable source of food, milk, skins and fiber, the team reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Goats are also versatile in their feeding habits and adapt well to extremes of climate.
Goats descended from that original strain, which was probably domesticated in the Middle East, account for about 90% of all modern goats, the team said. About 6% of modern goats are descended from a strain that was domesticated about 2,000 years ago and appear to be confined to southern Asia. The rest of today’s goats are derived from a strain domesticated 6,000 years ago.
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Compiled by Times medical writer Thomas H. Maugh II
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