A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Maternal genetic diversity of ancient goats in Finland and Estonia and comparison with extant northern European goat breeds
Authors: Rannamae Eve, Saarma Urmas, Kantanen Juha, Bläuer Auli
Publisher: WILEY
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Animal Genetics
Journal name in source: ANIMAL GENETICS
Journal acronym: ANIM GENET
Number of pages: 12
ISSN: 0268-9146
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/age.13281
Web address : https://www.doi.org/10.1111/age.13281
Abstract
Countries in the northern Baltic Sea region have been historically linked for thousands of years, and animal husbandry is one of the many information sources that enables the study of historical connections. Although goat husbandry in this part of Europe has been evidenced by scant archaeological materials, zooarchaeological and historical evidence has revealed its continuity, at least since the Late Iron Age. To explore the historical relationship between goat lineages and investigate affinities between the past and present-day populations in the Baltic Sea region, we analysed a 476-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region in 14 ancient goats from Finland and Estonia and 10 extant goats from Finland. The results revealed high mitochondrial diversity among the ancient goats. Two maternal lineages were shared between the Late Iron Age and medieval individuals from Finland and Estonia. Moreover, ancient Finnish and Estonian goats showed maternal affinity to extant Finngoat and Swedish Landrace breeds. Overall, the analysis of maternal goat lineages confirmed tight historical connections in the region.
Countries in the northern Baltic Sea region have been historically linked for thousands of years, and animal husbandry is one of the many information sources that enables the study of historical connections. Although goat husbandry in this part of Europe has been evidenced by scant archaeological materials, zooarchaeological and historical evidence has revealed its continuity, at least since the Late Iron Age. To explore the historical relationship between goat lineages and investigate affinities between the past and present-day populations in the Baltic Sea region, we analysed a 476-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region in 14 ancient goats from Finland and Estonia and 10 extant goats from Finland. The results revealed high mitochondrial diversity among the ancient goats. Two maternal lineages were shared between the Late Iron Age and medieval individuals from Finland and Estonia. Moreover, ancient Finnish and Estonian goats showed maternal affinity to extant Finngoat and Swedish Landrace breeds. Overall, the analysis of maternal goat lineages confirmed tight historical connections in the region.
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