Editing Domestication of the cat (section)

== DNA and phylogenetic evidence ==
Current taxonomy tends to treat ''F. silvestris'', ''F. lybica'', ''F. catus'', and ''F. bieti'' as different species. A 2007 study of feline mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites of approximately 1,000 cats from many different regions (including Africa, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Middle East) showed 5 genetic lineages of the wildcat population. These lineages included:

* ''Felis silvestris silvestris'' (Europe)
* ''Felis silvestris bieti'' (China)
* ''Felis silvestris ornata'' (Central Asia)
* ''Felis silvestris cafra'' (Southern Africa)
* ''Felis silvestris lybica'' (Middle East)

This study showed that African wildcat (''F. s. lybica'') included domesticated cats and that wild cats from this group are almost indistinguishable from domesticated cats. Along with DNA analysis, phylogenetic studies were also conducted to narrow down the evolutionary history. Phylogenetic trees were generated based on mitochondrial DNA analysis.

In each study Bayesian, maximum likelihood, and parsimony maximum likelihood trees all produced identical results. They each show that ''F. s. ornata'', ''F. s. cafra,'' and ''F. s. lybica'' were all very closely related to a common ancestor. It also showed that this group of variations are monophyletic, meaning they share a common ancestor not shared by other groups. The trees also helped show that ''F. s. lybica'' gave rise to the domesticated cats of today. ''F. s. silvestris''  showed a very early branching away from the other groups, but still shares a very early common ancestor with the rest of the clades.

Domesticated cats originated from near-eastern and Egyptian populations of ''F. s. lybica''. The former gathered around human agricultural colonies themselves, while the latter (~1500 BC) seems mainly attractive in behavioral traits. They started spreading during neolithic times, but did not become widespread in the Old World until classical antiquity. A newer study from 2018 moves the earlier origin to Southwest Asia.

=== Genetic Technologies ===
Scientists and veterinarians specifically have incorporated an important tool known as race and breed identification panels to learn more about the specific genetics that align with these dominating regions domesticated cat breeds originate from. While the primary lineages are listed above with their respective regions, this form of genetic technology made it possible to simplify and distinguish certain areas of these regions. For example, the Maine Coon breed was predominately from Western Europe, while the Siamese breed dominated in Southeast Asia. Tests showing the DNA markers that are used to distinguish genetic discrepancies in a forensic manner can also be purchased by an owner for individual use.

An abundance of accessible sources that incorporate breed identification panels can be utilized for personal use by breeders and owners to determine the genetic workup of a domesticated cat. Due to the highly known genetic distinction within the Felidae family, "this international cat parentage and identification panel has a power of exclusion comparable to panels used in other species, ranging from 90.08% to 99.79% across breeds and 99.47% to 99.87% in random-bred cat populations." With such a high power of exclusion, it is to say that the possibility of genetic similarities occurring within cat breeds are more uncommon than  others.

=== Traits ===
A 2014 study compares many cat genomes with tiger and dog genomes. Genomic regions under selection in domestic cats include those involved in neuronal processes (fear and reward behavior) and in homologous recombination (increased recombination frequency). In addition, the ''KIT'' mutations responsible for the white-spotted phenotype were identified.

The blotched tabby cat trait (Aminopeptidase Q mutation) arose in the Middle Ages. Wild-type cats have a mackerel pattern.