Origins of Domestic Cats, Wild Cats and even Red Squirrels

 

(c)2025 T. Hooper

Science has a very interesting item but, sadly, in the UK, unless you are part of the "magic circle" you will never be allowed to see the work. Free access to research data should be an actual thing rather than keeping everything secret from the "muggles"

You can check the summary out here:https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt2642?fbclid=IwY2xjawOX1TVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe7fIQ2KaTst1mbR52NHR1jcQsURa9GykgMoRxVwqmiDhmQmOdNfKdnJvxFfo_aem_2lYuqmXFreAdp8o6CkmxiQ

The dispersal of domestic cats from North Africa to Europe around 2000 years ago

Editor’s summary

Tracing the origins of domestic cats (Felis catus) has been limited by a lack of ancient DNA for these animals, as well by their morphological similarity to the African wildcat (F. lybica lybica) and European wildcat (F. sylvestris). De Martino et al. generated low- to medium-coverage genomes for 87 ancient, museum, and modern cats (see the Perspective by Losos). They found that domestic cats are most genetically similar to African wildcats, although there has been widespread gene flow between wild and domestic populations. European samples that cluster with domestic cats only appear in the 1st century CE, suggesting a later dispersal of domestic cats than previously thought. Although broader sampling is needed, this study shows the complexity of population dynamics that is often revealed when looking beyond mitochondrial DNA. —Corinne Simonti

Structured Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The domestic cat (Felis catus) originated from the African wildcat (Felis lybica lybica), which is presently distributed across North Africa and the Near East. It has since rapidly expanded to achieve a global distribution. Archaeozoological and iconographic evidence points to two possible centers of domestication: Neolithic Levant ~9500 years ago and Pharaonic Egypt ~3500 years ago. Ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data support a dual-origin model for cat dispersal, indicating an initial spread from Anatolia to Europe by Neolithic farmers ~6400 years ago, followed by a second wave from Egypt ~2000 years ago.

RATIONALE

The timing and circumstances of cat domestication and dispersal remain uncertain owing to the limited number of ancient and modern genomes analyzed thus far. Questions remain about the natural distribution ranges of African and European (Felis silvestris) wildcats in the past and their potential admixture. A recent study showed that ancient gene flow might confound the reconstruction of cat dispersal, particularly when based on mtDNA. The origin of African wildcat populations in the Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica is also elusive. Present evidence suggests that they are not feral domestic cats but instead represent a separate wildcat lineage. To address these questions, we analyzed the genomes of 70 ancient cats from archaeological sites across Europe and Anatolia and 17 modern wildcats from Italy (including Sardinia), Bulgaria, and North Africa (Morocco and Tunisia).

RESULTS

We generated a genomic time transect spanning the past 11,000 years and found that cats previously identified as carrying a F. l. lybica mtDNA clade from Neolithic and Chalcolithic southeast Europe and Anatolia, dated between 9500 and 6300 years ago, were F. silvestris wildcats whose ancestors hybridized with F. l. lybica. Ancient genomes revealed an increasing trend of African wildcat ancestry ranging from 9 to 34% eastward, from Bulgaria to central Anatolia.

The earliest cat belonging to the genetic cluster of as F. l. lybica and F. catus in Europe originates from the site of Genoni, in Sardinia (Italy), and is dated to ~2200 years ago. This cat is genetically similar to present-day wildcats in Sardinia, and they all appear to be closely related to a F. l. lybica wildcat from Morocco. All other archaeological cats from Europe and Anatolia included in the cluster of F. l. lybica and F. catus are dated from ~2000 years ago onward. They possessed the typical gene pool of modern domestic cats and shared more affinities with modern African wildcats than with their Levantine relatives. Their rapid dispersal across the Mediterranean in the past 2000 years marked a demographic expansion recorded in their maternal ancestries.

CONCLUSION

Our findings challenge the commonly held view of a Neolithic introduction of domestic cats to Europe, instead placing their arrival several millennia later. We redefine the timing of cat dispersal by identifying at least two waves of introduction to Europe. The first dispersal most likely featured wildcats from Northwest Africa that were introduced to Sardinia and founded the island’s present-day wild population. A distinct and yet-unknown population in North Africa sourced a second dispersal not later than 2000 years ago that established the gene pool of modern domestic cats in Europe.

The introduction of domestic cats to Europe.

The genomes of ancient cats from archaeological sites across Europe and Anatolia (dark circles in the map) revealed that domestic cats were introduced to Europe from North Africa starting at ~2 thousand years ago (kya), several millennia after the onset of the Neolithic in Europe. African wildcats in Sardinia originate from a distinct wildcat population in Northwest Africa

Abstract

The domestic cat (Felis catus) descends from the African wildcat Felis lybica lybica. Its global distribution alongside humans testifies to its successful adaptation to anthropogenic environments. Uncertainty remains regarding whether domestic cats originated in the Levant, Egypt, or elsewhere in the natural range of African wildcats. The timing and circumstances of their dispersal into Europe are also unknown. In this study, the analysis of 87 ancient and modern cat genomes suggests that domestic cats did not spread to Europe with Neolithic farmers. Conversely, they were introduced to Europe around 2000 years ago, probably from North Africa. In addition, a separate earlier introduction (first millennium before the common era) of wildcats from Northwest Africa may have been responsible for the present-day wild population in Sardinia.

fin summary

(c)2025 respective copyright owner

There was established trading through sea merchants and it is how a barbary macaque (baboon) got to Iron Age Ireland as a "gift" or some such -dug up on the Time Team TV series. There are (if you do not read or study or follow evidence) supposedly no wild cats in Ireland -in more modern times European wild cat types have been out in the wild and if not escapes from private collections likely released for shooting 'sport' as in England. However, the historically reported (but not believed by the established zoological hierarchy who discredited their own colleagues)  was North African wild cat and there is at least one pelt of a descendent to prove it. 

Romans are always given the credit!

Wild cats in the UK were shot, poisoned, clubbed and torn to bits by hounds for fun and succumbed to extinction by the 1860s -for over 100 years before that naturalists wrote that if it were not for feral domestic cats interbreeding with wild cats then the wild cats would have become extinct "hundreds of years ago". Gamekeepers, "country squires" and 'sportsmen' still kill the current generation of New wild cats (themselves hybridised) along with any other cat they see to "prevent inter-breeding with wild cats" -that inter-breeding is what has kept the New wild cats in existence.

(c)2025 respective copyright holder

Humans kill for fun and then pretend it was conservation and as a reminder of that 'fun': in the 1960s in Tentsmuir Forest, Fife the Red Squirrel population was "removed" and why were they "removed" (killed)?  Well, it was "to see if they recovered" The 1960s also saw pine martens introduced to Galloway Forest to "control" the Red Squirrels and the claim that recent releases of pine marten control Grey not Red squirrels is a myth in itself with so many contradictions it is laughable.

Protected species status means nothing in the UK. 'Sportsmen' are already mapping out where wild cats are going to be released.  Over half the UK badger population has been wiped out over bad science. Foxes should be Red Listed as their current decline is reaching new levels.  And squirrels? 

• 1981: The original protection was granted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making intentional acts against red squirrels and their shelters illegal.
• 2004: Protection was extended in Scotland to include reckless acts through the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.
• 2006: Red squirrels became a Section 41 species of Principal Importance for Conservation under the Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act. 

So why are forestry companies still killing them with impunity -money?  Why are private estate gamekeepers still killing them as "vermin"?  Where are all of the prosecutions because it seems that everyone involved in wildlife knows this is going on but...oh. "Private property" (and money) and Royal Estates.

If you want to learn the truth about British wild cats then read the results of 40 plus years research: The Red Paper 2022 -Felidae

226 pp

Paperback

Interior Color and Black and white

Dimensions  A4 (8.27 x 11.69 in / 210 x 297 mm)

https://www.lulu.com/shop/terry-hooper/the-red-paper-2022-volume-2-felids/paperback/product-n48529.html?

£25.00

In 1896 Scottish naturalists and zoologists declared that the true Scottish wild cat had become extinct by the 1860s. What we see today is nothing more than a wild tabby cat. In this work the true history and destruction of wild cats from England, Wales (where hybrids clung on into the 1940s) and Scotland is explored and after decades of research the true look of the wild cat is revealed. The "English Tiger" and "Highland Tiger" truly lived up to that name.

Dogma is finally thrown out.

There is also a look at the "New Native Cats" ranging from Asian Golden Cats, Lynx, Puma and others and the evidence leading to their being so designated. No silly press or media stories just solid facts backed up by evidence. The author acted as an exotic species wildlife consultant to UK police forces from 1977-2015 as well as cooperated with university projects on the subject.

Island cats as well as feral cats their lifestyles and problems mare also covered .

Fully referenced and including maps, illustrations and very rare photographs -some never before seen in print- make this a book for amateur naturalists and zoologists.