Subspecies Origin
Based on a mitochondrial DNA study of 979 domestic and wild cats from Europe, Asia, and Africa, Felis silvestris lybica split off from the European wildcat about 173,000 years ago and from the Asian subspecies F. s. ornata and the Southern African F. s. cafra about 131,000 years ago. About 10,000 years ago, some Felis silvestris lybica individuals were domesticated in the Middle East. Modern domestic cats are derived from at least five "Mitochondrial Eves". None of the other subspecies of Felis silvestris contributed to the domestic breed, and many of those subspecies' own mtDNA is being swamped by interbreeding with feral cats. The only organization currently known to have a program specifically aimed at conserving African wildcats and reducing what some refer to as genetic pollution by domestic cats is Alley Cat Rescue.
Read more about this topic: African Wildcat
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