Ancient spice trade routes may have shaped Malabari goat genetics, researchers find

Scientists at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University have completed the first full mitochondrial genome sequencing of the Malabari goat, a prominent livestock breed in the southern state. The genetic analysis provides fresh insights into the breed's evolutionary history and its potential links to ancient maritime trade networks.

The mitochondrial genome—the DNA found in the energy-producing structures of cells—serves as a molecular record of maternal inheritance and can trace ancestry across generations. By mapping the complete genetic sequence, researchers have identified patterns consistent with the movement of goat populations along established Indian Ocean trading corridors that flourished for centuries.

The Malabari goat is widely reared across Kerala and neighbouring regions, valued for meat production and adaptability to local environmental conditions. The genetic findings suggest that historical spice trade networks, which connected India with Arab nations, East Africa, and Southeast Asia, may have facilitated the movement and intermixing of livestock populations across vast distances.

The research contributes to a growing body of evidence demonstrating how ancient commerce shaped not only human cultures and economies but also the genetic composition of domesticated animal populations. Understanding the Malabari goat's genetic heritage may also help inform breeding programmes and conservation strategies for the breed.