Domestication of the cat

Current taxonomy tends to treat F. silvestris, F. lybica, F. catus, and F. bieti as different species. A 2007 study of feline mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites of approximately 1,000 cats from many different regions (including Africa, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Middle East) showed five genetic lineages of the wildcat population. (Europe) • Felis silvestris bieti (China) • Felis silvestris ornata (Central Asia) • Felis silvestris cafra (Southern Africa) • Felis silvestris lybica (Middle East) This study showed that African wildcat (F. s. lybica) included domesticated cats and that wild cats from this group were almost indistinguishable from domesticated cats. Along with DNA analysis, phylogenetic studies were also conducted to narrow the evolutionary history. Phylogenetic trees were generated based on mitochondrial DNA analysis. In each study, maximum likelihood and parsimony maximum likelihood trees all produced identical results. They each showed that F. s. ornata, F. s. cafra, and F. s. lybica were all very closely related to a common ancestor. It also showed that this group of variations was monophyletic, meaning that they shared a common ancestor not shared by other groups. The trees also helped to show that F. s. lybica gave rise to the domesticated cats of today. F. s. silvestris showed a very early branching from the other groups, but still shared a very early common ancestor with the rest of the clades. in near-eastern and Egyptian populations of F. s. lybica. In the near-east they gathered around human agricultural colonies themselves, while in Egypt (~1500 BC) they seem to have been mainly attractive because of behavioral traits. They started to spread during Neolithic times, but did not become widespread in the Old World until classical antiquity. Genetic technologies Scientists and veterinarians have developed an important tool known as race and breed identification panels to learn more about the specific genetics associated with these dominant regions from which domesticated cat breeds originate. While the primary lineages are listed above with their respective regions, this form of genetic technology made it possible to distinguish certain areas of these regions. For example, it was found that the Maine Coon breed came predominantly from Western Europe, while the Siamese breed was dominant in Southeast Asia. There is an abundance of accessible sources that provide breed identification panels for personal use to determine the genetic makeup of a domesticated cat. The known genetic distinction within the Felidae family means that "this international cat parentage and identification panel has a power of exclusion comparable to panels used in other species, ranging from 90.08% to 99.79% across breeds and 99.47% to 99.87% in random-bred cat populations." The blotched tabby cat trait (Aminopeptidase Q mutation) arose in the Middle Ages. Wild-type cats have a mackerel pattern. == Archaeological evidence ==

Archaeological and behavioral studies support the discovery that F.s. lybica was the common ancestor of domesticated cats. Domesticated cats have a smaller cranial volume than F.s. lybica, suggesting that domestication played a role in their evolution. Fragments of cat teeth and bone found at burial sites across the world have all been connected by DNA analysis to F.s. lybica, some dating to 7,000–8,000 years ago. Egyptian populations were originally credited with the early domestication of cats approximately 3,600 years ago, but later archaeological evidence has disputed this hypothesis. Cats were not native to this area, which meant that the people must have brought cats to the island. By ~9500 years ago, humans somewhere in the Near Eastern–North African zone were already keeping cats closely enough to transport and bury them. Archaeological evidence indicates that early commensal relationships between humans and cats developed across this interconnected zone during the Neolithic period, with Egypt later becoming the most prominent center for the domestication, cultural integration, and spread of cats. == Behavioral evidence ==

Behavioral analysis of F.s. silvestris (the European wildcat), which was thought to have been a common ancestor of domesticated cats, showed significant differences between the two. The European wildcat tends to be more aggressive than domestic cats even when raised from kittens around humans. European wildcats are also more territorial and show aggressive behavior within their own species. Hybrids between domesticated cats and silvestris showed less aggressive behavior and a more docile temperament, leading the scientist to believe that the behavioral difference was genetic and probably due to a difference in species. This evidence suggested that F.s. lybica was likely to have been the common ancestor of all domesticated cats. == Domestic cat breed differentiation ==

Unlike other domesticated animals which have been bred for different physical traits to help with such tasks as hunting, security or providing food, modern cat breeds have mostly originated within the last 150 years from breeding for aesthetic physical traits. Another difference from other domesticated mammals is that as a result of greater intermixing with wild cats, domesticated cat breeds have fewer genetic differences from their wild counterparts. Domesticated cat breeds are also unique in that there are only 40–50 genetically distinct breeds, while other domesticated animals can have anywhere from 65 to 100 genetically distinct breeds. == Contemporary breeds ==

, one of the cat breeds resulting from human breeding practices during the last century and a half In 1871 only five cat breeds were recognized by an association in London. Today the US-based Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognizes 41 breeds and The International Cat Association (TICA) recognizes 73 breeds. Most of these breeds are defined by phenotypic, or visible, characteristics, most of which are single gene traits found at low to moderate levels in the non-pedigree cat. These characteristics are rare and not seen in the common house cat. Unlike most pet dogs, which come from a mixture of pure-breed lineages, cats started as a mixture of many wildcat variations and have been selectively bred by humans for certain traits that have led to modern breeds. This has allowed for a large increase in the number of breeds in a shorter amount of time. This is also the reason why associations that classify cat breeds use the word "pedigreed", as domestic cats do not have true purebred forms. == See also ==