A contribution to the understanding of the evolution and domestication of chickens

Abstract

Considering the fragmented nature of paleontological, genetic, and anthropological data regarding the evolutionary history of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), a consolidated consensus is necessary. This study aims to synthesize the evolutionary timeline, domestication centers, and genomic adaptations of this species. To this end, a comprehensive narrative bibliographic review was conducted, integrating data from paleontological records, genomic sequencing, and historical anthropology. In this way, it is observed that modern chickens derive primarily from Gallus gallus and Gallus sonnerati, with domestication initiating around 5,400 BCE in China, followed by global dispersal. Genomic data reveals specific mutations linked to reproductive and growth traits, highlighting a profound symbiotic co-evolution with Homo sapiens sapiens. This allows us to conclude that the chicken’s evolutionary success is a result of mutual domestication, and future advancements will likely rely on targeted genomic modifications to enhance disease resistance and production traits.