LAUSR

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 ~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 ~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. Description Donkeys’ African origins Donkeys have been important to humans for thousands of years, being the primary source of work and transport for many cultures. Unlike horses, little was known about the origin and domestication of donkeys. Todd et al. sequenced the genomes of modern and ancient donkeys and found evidence of an eastern African origin over 7000 years ago, with subsequent isolation and divergence of lineages in Africa and Eurasia. They also reveal the imprint of desertification on divergence among groups and specifics about donkey breeding and husbandry, including selection for large size and the practice of inbreeding. —SNV Ancient and modern genomes elucidate the origins, spread, and management practices underlying donkey domestication.