The genomic history and global expansion of domestic donkeys

Donkeys transformed human history as essential beasts of burden for long-distance movement, especially across semi-arid and upland environments. They remain insufficiently studied despite globally expanding and providing key support to low- to middle-income communities. To elucidate their domestication history, we constructed a comprehensive genome panel of 207 modern and 31 ancient donkeys, as well as 15 wild equids. We found a strong phylogeographic structure in modern donkeys that supports a single domestication in Africa similar to 5000 BCE, followed by further expansions in this continent and Eurasia and ultimately returning to Africa. We uncover a previously unknown genetic lineage in the Levant similar to 200 BCE, which contributed increasing ancestry toward Asia. Donkey management involved inbreeding and the production of giant bloodlines at a time when mules were essential to the Roman economy and military.

Automated summary

Donkeys have played an essential role in human history as beasts of burden, particularly in semi-arid and upland environments. Despite their global significance and support to low- to middle-income communities, they have been insufficiently studied. Through genome analysis, this study reveals the domestication history of donkeys, with a single domestication event in Africa around 5000 BCE. The study also uncovers a previously unknown genetic lineage in the Levant that contributed to increasing ancestry toward Asia. The management of donkeys involved inbreeding and the production of giant bloodlines during the Roman era when mules were of great importance to the economy and military.