family common ancestor genus diverged phylogenetic sympatric parapatric speciation artificial selection diploid chromosomes leopard cat tamed Felidae domestic
The domestic cat is a member of the Felidae, a family that had a common ancestor about 10–15 million years ago.
The genus Felis diverged from other Felidae around 6–7 million years ago. Results of phylogenetic research confirm that the wild Felis species evolved through sympatric or parapatric speciation, whereas the domestic cat evolved through artificial selection. The domesticated cat and its closest wild ancestor are diploid and both possess 38 chromosomes and roughly 20,000 genes. The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) was tamed independently in China around 5500 BC. This line of partially domesticated cats leaves no trace in the domestic cat populations of today.
