5. Conclusion
Overall, by analysing genome-wide data from worldwide domestic goats and
wild caprid genomes, we provided a first glimpse into the genomic
structure of native goat populations in SWA. We demonstrated that the
genetic pool of SWA goat populations was affected by the gene flow from
Levant lineages in the Chalcolithic time period. We further found
evidence for adaptive introgression of KITLG allele from Nubian
ibex into domestic goats, which was under strong signature of selection
in goat populations located in desert climates. This study reveals new
insights into the evolutionary history of SWA goats and the importance
of introgression in adaptation to past environmental challenges in this
region.