Research overview: the genetics of domestic cat breeds and populations

Most domestic cats are random-bred, but a few dozen recognized breeds have been developed over the past century, providing a resource for genetic study. This overview surveys research using genome-wide markers to characterize the origins and relationships of cat breeds, the regional structure of random-bred populations worldwide, and the small number of founders and trait-defining variants behind many breeds. It discusses how breeds cluster by geographic origin, the mapping of breed-specific traits and inherited diseases, and how studying domestic cat population structure complements the wildcat-domestication story by revealing the more recent, human-directed phase of feline genetic history.