Malabari goat's full mitochondrial genome mapped, hints at ancient spice route links
Researchers have reported the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Malabari goat, with findings pointing to a possible link with the historic Indian Ocean Spice Route.
Researchers at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University have reported the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Malabari goat, a breed native to the Malabar region of Keralam.
The work offers molecular evidence that supports the possibility that goats travelled along the historic Indian Ocean Spice Route, a network that once linked ports on the Malabar Coast with trading centres across the sea.
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited through the maternal line and is widely used to trace ancestry and movement of animal populations. A complete mitochondrial genome gives a fuller picture of a breed's genetic makeup than partial sequences, making it a useful reference for studies on origin and migration.
The findings do not settle the question of how the Malabari goat's ancestry took shape, but they add a genetic dimension to a history that has so far rested largely on trade records and archaeological clues. The Spice Route, which carried pepper and other commodities from the Malabar Coast, is known to have moved not just goods but also people, livestock and plants.
The study is expected to support further work on the breed's genetic diversity and conservation.