Science and Engineering: Innovation, Research, Education and Economics
July 28, 2006
Cat History

New cat family tree revealed

The family history of the cat has been notoriously murky in the past, in part because the few discovered cat fossils are very difficult to tell apart.

The international team took a different approach by sampling DNA from living cats. They looked at both mitochondrial DNA - the scrap of DNA within the parts of the cell that generate energy and are passed along the maternal line - and DNA from the X and Y sex chromosomes.

A picture has emerged of a feline ancestor that wandered all over the world, becoming one of the most successful carnivore families.

The ancient ancestors of the 37 species alive today migrated across the globe, eventually settling in all continents except Antarctica, say scientists.

Eight major lineages emerged, including lions, ocelots and domestic cats.

5 Responses to “Cat History”

  1. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Jaguars Back in the Southwest USA Says:

    Jaguars, the largest native American cat, are returning to the Southwest USA…

  2. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Big Big Lions Says:

    “In order to exist without the customary spectrum of weaker African prey like zebra, giraffe and impala, the Duba lions have had to develop distinct strategies in order to trap the single available food source.”

  3. Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Bornean Clouded Leopard Says:

    Borneo’s clouded leopard identified as new cat species…

  4. CuriousCat: Hypoallergenic Cats Says:

    Some people are kept from owning wonderful cats due to allergies. Now, ‘Hypoallergenic cats’ go on sale. Some cats naturally do not have the normal allergen…

  5. CuriousCat: Origins of the Domestic Cat Says:

    “At least five female ancestors from the region gave rise to all the domestic cats alive today, scientists believe. DNA evidence suggests that, apart from accidental cross-breeding, European wildcats are not part of the domestic moggy’s family tree. Neither are the Central Asian wildcat, the Southern African wildcat, or the Chinese desert cat…”

Leave a Reply

Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog © curiouscat.com 2005-2008 powered by WordPress
Curious Cat Alumni Connections

Internal Links

Author

 

John Hunter

Categories

Other

Search Blog

Web Search

Science and Engineering web search

Archives

July 2006
M T W T F S S
« Jun   Aug »
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  

Translate to

Translate to German Translate to Japanese Translate to Chinese Translate to South Korean Translate to Spanish Translate to French