Spain’s Iberian pig genome unchanged over five centuries

Genetic research carried out on a pig who lived in Spain during the early 16th century suggests that today pig is very closely related to the regions ancient pigs.

A team of Spanish researchers have obtained the first partial genome sequence of an ancient pig. Extracted from a sixteenth century pig found at the site of the Montsoriu Castle in Girona, the data obtained indicates that this ancient pig is closely related to today’s Iberian pig. Researchers also discard the hypothesis that Asian pigs were crossed with modern Iberian pigs.

[Full story]

Story: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona | Photo: Wikimedia Commons