Genome-wide variation reveal that goats were introduced into Asia via multiple migrations

In recent world-wide studies on the autosomal genetic diversity of goats, Asian goats were represented only by Southwest Asian, Pakistani and Chinese breeds. We have collected 55K genome-wide SNP genotypesfor 12 South/Southeast Asian and 2 central Asian goat populations, and inferred the origin and evolutionary history of Asian goats based on the population genomic analyses. Breed relationships, clines of diversity and coancestry allowed to differentiate a northern-central and southern migration routes separated by the Himalayan mountains, which tentatively can be linked to human migrations. The migrations of goats converge into the Indochina goat populations, which then became the ancestors of the Philippine and Indonesian goats. Previous data on Y-chromosomal haplogroups indicate within the first group a separate migration of cashmere goats in eastern and northern China. Similarly, the southern route has been followed by two subsequent waves of goats, the first carrying the mitochondrial B haplogroup and in eastern Indochina associated with that Katjang type, and a later wave carrying exclusively the mitochondrial A haplogroup and associated in western Indochina with the Indian lop-eared trait with a roman convex facial profile. Our findings indicate a variegated history and a diverse adaptation ofAsian goats.