Ancient mtDNA analysis of early 16(th) century Caribbean cattle provides insight into founding populations of New World creole cattle breeds

Abstract

The Columbian Exchange resulted in a widespread movement of humans, plants and animals between the Old and New Worlds. The late 15(th) to early 16(th) century transfer of cattle from the Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands to the Caribbean laid the foundation for the development of American creole cattle (Bos taurus) breeds. Genetic analyses of modern cattle from the Americas reveal a mixed ancestry of European, African and Indian origins. Recent debate in the genetic literature centers on the 'African' haplogroup T1 and its subhaplogroups, alternatively tying their origins to the initial Spanish herds, and/or from subsequent movements of taurine cattle through the African slave trade. We examine this problem through ancient DNA analysis of early 16(th) century cattle bone from Sevilla la Nueva, the first Spanish colony in Jamaica. In spite of poor DNA preservation, both T3 and T1 haplogroups were identified in the cattle remains, confirming the presence of T1 in the earliest Spanish herds. The absence, however, of "African-derived American" haplotypes (AA/T1c1a1) in the Sevilla la Nueva sample, leaves open the origins of this sub-haplogroup in contemporary Caribbean cattle.

Figure 1. Location of the 1509–1534 Spanish Colony of Sevilla la Nueva, Jamaica.

The darkened square is the butchery site from which ancient DNA bone samples were excavated.

Figure 2. Stratigraphic profile of south face Unit 3, 2004 excavation.

Stratum I is compacted alluvial gravel that required the use of a pick-axe for removal. The dotted line separating substrata Ia from Ib is the break between gravels without cultural material (Ib) and the upper agricultural zone with scattered artifacts from the British and modern eras (Ia). Stratum II is a fine alluvial silt that is deposited over the Spanish occupation floor in other areas of the site. Stratum III is the Spanish occupation and refuse midden from which bone samples were acquired. The bricks (darkened) and rocks (open) are not associated with architectural features but are part of the last deposit of refuse fill by the Spanish. The identified T1 haplogroup sample was recovered from Unit 3-E, Stratum III immediately to the north of this profile.