Y-SNPs do not indicate hybridisation between European aurochs and domestic cattle.
BACKGROUND
Previous genetic studies of modern and ancient mitochondrial DNA have confirmed the Near Eastern origin of early European domestic cattle. However, these studies were not able to test whether hybridisation with male aurochs occurred post-domestication. To address this issue, Götherström and colleagues (2005) investigated the frequencies of two Y-chromosomal haplotypes in extant bulls. They found a significant influence of wild aurochs males on domestic populations thus challenging the common view on early domestication and Neolithic stock-rearing. To test their hypothesis, we applied these Y-markers on Neolithic bone specimens from various European archaeological sites.


RESULTS
Here, we have analysed the ancient DNA of 59 Neolithic skeletal samples. After initial molecular sexing, two segregating Y-SNPs were identified in 13 bulls. Strikingly, our results do not support the hypothesis that these markers distinguish European aurochs from domesticated cattle.


CONCLUSIONS
The model of a rapid introduction of domestic cattle into Central Europe without significant crossbreeding with local wild cattle remains unchallenged.
Bollongino
Ruth
R
Palaeogenetics Group, Institute of Anthropology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany. bollongi@uni-mainz.de
Elsner
Julia
J
Vigne
Jean-Denis
JD
Burger
Joachim
J
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics*; D005060:Europe; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D049690:History, Ancient; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014998:Y Chromosome