Core Insights - The absence of cats in the traditional Chinese zodiac is attributed to the historical context of cat domestication and introduction to China, with significant research revealing that leopard cats cohabited with humans in China for 3,500 years, while modern domestic cats were introduced much later [4][9] - Professor Luo Shujin's research spans over 20 years, focusing on the genomic studies of wild cats, particularly the leopard cat, and its relationship with humans, contributing to a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation and species evolution [4][10] Group 1: Research Findings - A breakthrough study from Peking University indicates that leopard cats have been present in China since the Neolithic era, coexisting with humans for thousands of years before retreating to the wild [4][6] - The research team has identified approximately 3,000 leopard cats in Beijing, marking the first systematic survey of this apex predator in the urban ecosystem [9] - The relative abundance of leopard cats in the northwestern mountainous areas of Beijing reached 11%, significantly higher than other regions in China, indicating a suitable habitat for these animals [8][9] Group 2: Methodology and Techniques - The research employs advanced genomic techniques and machine learning for individual identification of leopard cats, enhancing the efficiency of wildlife studies [8] - The team utilizes infrared cameras for monitoring wildlife, allowing for the collection of extensive data on leopard cat behavior and population dynamics [7][8] - Satellite tracking collars have been used to monitor leopard cat movements across various landscapes, providing insights into their habitat preferences [8][9] Group 3: Conservation Efforts - The findings emphasize the importance of habitat preservation and management to ensure the survival of leopard cats and other wildlife in urban settings [9] - Luo Shujin's work contributes to the broader field of wildlife conservation, advocating for the coexistence of humans and wildlife in urban environments [9][19] - The research highlights the potential for restoring populations of other species, such as the North China leopard, through effective conservation strategies [9][10]

撰文丨王聪 编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 非洲野猫 （Felis lybica） 是所有现代 家猫 （ Felis catus ） 的祖先。尽管猫被驯化的具体时间和情况尚 不明确，但动物考古学的证据表明，家猫向北扩散进入欧洲的时间最早可追溯至公元前 500 年。家猫也向 东穿越欧亚大陆进入中国，但这一扩散的路线和时间仍不清楚。 近日，北京大学 罗述金 团队等，在 Cell 子刊 Cell Genomics 上发表了题为： The late arrival of domestic cats in China via the Silk Road after 3,500 years of human-leopard cat commensalism 的 研究论文。 这项古 DNA 研究揭示了中国古代从豹猫到家猫伴随人类五千多年的历史。 该研究还登上了 Cell Genomics 期刊封面。 该研究对 5400 年前至 150 年前的来自中国 14 处考古遗址的 22 份猫类遗骸进行分析，发现 豹猫 自新石 器时代晚期仰韶文化时期至东汉末年与人类共栖长达 3500 年，而 家猫 直至 唐朝 前后才通过 丝绸之路 商旅传 ...

编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 牛 在东亚的农牧社会中长期以来一直扮演着核心角色。其他地区的基因组研究揭示了一段复杂的进化史，其中涉及了多次扩散事件和广泛的基因混合。 普通牛 （ Taurine cattle ） 最初约在距今 10000 年前从近东的原牛驯化而来，随后扩散到欧洲和非洲。在这些地方，它们与当地野生原牛的基因渗入留下了持久的遗 传印记。在南亚，驯化的 瘤牛 （ Indicine cattle ） 首次出现于约距今 8000 年前。它们后来的扩散在西亚、中亚、东亚以及非洲带来了广泛的普通牛-瘤牛杂交 混合。 尽管动物考古学和考古遗传学研究已证实它们在约 5000 年前就已存在，但由于古基因组数据有限，早期 东亚家牛 的起源与扩散过程仍不明确。此外，现已灭绝 的原牛以及如瘤牛、牦牛和大额牛等驯养牛种的存在，表明东亚地区牛的进化历史复杂，但相关探索仍不充分。 2025 年 12 月 18 日， 吉林大学 蔡大伟 教授团队联合、韩国首尔大学 Choongwon Jeong 教授团队，在国际顶尖学术期刊 Science 上 发表了 题 为： Ancient genomes illuminate the ori ...

Core Insights - The research reveals the long-standing commensal relationship between leopards and humans in China, lasting over 3,500 years, before the introduction of domestic cats via the Silk Road around the Tang Dynasty [3][10] - The study utilizes ancient DNA analysis from 22 cat remains across 14 archaeological sites in China, providing insights into the timeline and pathways of cat domestication and migration [7][10] Group 1: Historical Context - The study indicates that leopard cats cohabited with humans from the late Neolithic period (around 5,400 years ago) until the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, establishing a symbiotic relationship [3][7] - Domestic cats, traced back to African wildcats, were introduced to China around the 6th to 7th century during the Tang Dynasty, likely through trade routes [5][8] Group 2: Methodology and Findings - The research team analyzed 22 skeletal samples using ancient DNA techniques, successfully recovering mitochondrial genomes and whole genomes from seven samples, confirming the long-term presence of leopard cats [7][10] - The earliest identified domestic cat remains date back to the Tang Dynasty, with a carbon dating of approximately 706-883 AD, suggesting an earlier introduction than previously thought [8][10] Group 3: Genetic Insights - Genetic analysis indicates that all domestic cats in China can trace their lineage back to African wildcats, supporting the theory of a single domestication origin [6][10] - The study highlights the genetic flow between local wildcats and domestic cats in regions like the Tibetan Plateau, indicating interactions between species [6]