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A complete mitochondrial genome study of Kerala's Malabari (Tellicherry) goat, reported on 7 September 2026, finds genetic evidence that its maternal ancestry came by sea along the ancient Spice Route.
The goats fall in mitochondrial haplogroup B1, alongside goats from Iraq, Oman and Gujarat. Most Indian goat breeds belong to haplogroup A.
The closest maternal link is to Iraqi Meriz goats and Arabian goat populations, which fits the belief that Arab spice traders brought goats on their ships for milk.
The study, by Dr M.R. Akhila and Dr Marykutty Thomas of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy (KVASU), was published in the Springer Nature journal Mammalian Genome.
Mitochondrial DNA passes almost only from mother to offspring, so it traces the maternal line. A haplogroup is a group of related mtDNA sequences that share a common ancestor, which lets scientists follow ancient migrations.
Simple Analogy: A surname passed down only through mothers.
Its College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy (Thrissur), set up in 1955, carried out the study. KVASU was established in 2010
Registers India's indigenous livestock and poultry breeds, including the Malabari goat
The breed's home tract lies on the Malabar Coast of north Kerala, which was once the hub of the pepper and spice trade with Arabia. The genetic trail links it across the Arabian Sea to Oman and Iraq, and along the coast to Gujarat.
Prelims > Agriculture & Animal Husbandry > Indigenous breeds; GS Paper I > Ancient maritime trade
What is the application of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Technology?
Answer: Reproductive cloning of animals
A group of similar DNA sequences inherited from one common ancestor, used to trace lineages.
The complete DNA of the mitochondrion, inherited through the mother.