Study reveals ancient spice route may have shaped Malabari goat's genetics

Researchers at Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University reported the first complete mitochondrial genome of Keralam's indigenous Malabari goat.

The findings provide molecular evidence suggesting that ancient Indian Ocean maritime trade along the Spice Route influenced the goat's maternal genetic history.

The Malabari goat showed a 99.7% mitochondrial sequence identity with Iraqi Meriz goats, sharing ancestry with populations in Oman, Arabia, and Gujarat.