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Genetic evidence for the origin of the agrimi goat (Capra aegagrus cretica)

  1. Author:
    Bar-Gal, G. K.
    Smith, P.
    Tchernov, E.
    Greenblatt, C.
    Ducos, P.
    Gardeisen, A.
    Horwitz, L. K.

  2. Author Address

    Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Dept Anat & Embryol, Lab Bioanthropol & Ancient DNA, POB 12272, IL-91904 Jerusalem, Israel Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Dept Anat & Embryol, Lab Bioanthropol & Ancient DNA, IL-91904 Jerusalem, Israel NCI, Lab Genom Divers, Frederick, MD 21702 USA Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Fac Life Sci, Dept Evolut Syst & Ecol, IL-91904 Jerusalem, Israel Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Kuvin Ctr Study Infect & Trop Dis, IL-91120 Jerusalem, Israel CDAR, CNRS UMR 154, F-34970 Lattes, France Horwitz LK Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Dept Anat & Embryol, Lab Bioanthropol & Ancient DNA, POB 12272, IL-91904 Jerusalem, Israel
    1. Year: 2002
  2. Journal: Journal of Zoology
    1. 256
    2. Part 3
    3. Pages: 369-377
  4. Type of Article: Article
  1. Abstract:

    The agrimi goat Capra aegagrus cretica is unique to Crete and its offshore islands. It has been identified as a sub-species of the wild bezoar goat Capra areagrus aegagrus Erxleben, 1777, which it closely resembles in horn shape, body form and coloration. This classification has been disputed by some researchers who claim that the agrimi are feral goats, derived from early domestic stock brought to the island by the first Neolithic settlers. In order to clarify this issue, DNA analyses (cytochrome b and D loop sequences) were carried out on tissue of live and skeletonized agrimi and compared to sequences of wild and domestic caprines. Results conclusively show the agrimi to be a feral animal, that clades with domestic goats (Capra hircus) rather than with wild Asiatic bezoar. This study demonstrates that morphometric criteria do not necessarily reflect genetic affinities, and that the taxonomic classification of agrimi should be revised.

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