The Genomic Landscape of Cattle: Domestication, Dispersal, and Adaptive Evolution
Liu Y, Dao W, Gao R, Fan X, Yang R, Miao Y.
Abstract
From the initial domestication of the aurochs in the Fertile Crescent and Indus Valley to the emergence of specialized breeds such as Simmental and Holstein, cattle have coevolved inextricably with humans. This review highlights that modern cattle are not static entities but dynamic genomic mosaics, shaped by ancient migrations, genetic introgression from extinct wild relatives, and continuous adaptation to human demands and environmental challenges. Understanding this complex history through the lens of modern genomics extends far beyond documenting the diversity of the cattle genome; it provides an essential roadmap for molecular breeding and sustainable livestock systems to respond to the challenge of a changing global climate. Keywords: aurochs, domestication, Bos taurus, Bos indicus, adaptive evolution, ancient DNA, pangenome
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