Origin

See also: Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia, Austronesian peoples,

and Genomics of domestication

Chronological dispersal of Austronesian peoples across the Indo-Pacific[42][43]

Modern genetic studies have identified the center of origin of coconuts as being the Central Indo-
Pacific, the region between western Southeast Asia and Melanesia, where it shows greatest
genetic diversity.[44][24][45][46] Their cultivation and spread was closely tied to the early migrations of
the Austronesian peoples who carried coconuts as canoe plants to islands they settled.[45][46][47]
[48]
 The similarities of the local names in the Austronesian region is also cited as evidence that the
plant originated in the region. For example,
the Polynesian and Melanesian term niu; Tagalog and Chamorro term niyog; and
the Malay word nyiur or nyior.[49][50] Other evidence for a Central Indo-Pacific origin is the native
range of the coconut crab; and the higher amounts of C. nucifera-specific insect pests in the
region (90%) in comparison to the Americas (20%), and Africa (4%). [4]

Geographical distributions of Indo-Atlantic and Pacific coconut subpopulations and their genetic
composition (Gunn et al., 2011)[46]

Inferred historical introduction of coconuts from the original centers of diversity in the Indian
subcontinent and Island Southeast Asia[46][20][48]

A study in 2011 identified two highly genetically differentiated subpopulations of coconuts, one
originating from Island Southeast Asia (the Pacific group) and the other from the southern
margins of the Indian subcontinent (the Indo-Atlantic group). The Pacific group is the only one to
display clear genetic and phenotypic indications that they were domesticated; including dwarf
habit, self-pollination, and the round "niu vai" fruit morphology with larger endosperm-to-husk
ratios. The distribution of the Pacific coconuts correspond to the regions settled by Austronesian
voyagers indicating that its spread was largely the result of human introductions. It is most
strikingly displayed in Madagascar, an island settled by Austronesian sailors at around 2000 to
1500 BP. The coconut populations in the island show genetic admixture between the two
subpopulations indicating that Pacific coconuts were brought by the Austronesian settlers that
later interbred with the local Indo-Atlantic coconuts. [46][47]

A wa'a kaulua (double-hulled canoe) from Hawai'i. Catamarans were one of the early technological

innovations of Austronesian peoples that allowed them to colonize the islands of the Indo-Pacific and
introduce coconuts and other canoe plants along their migration routes.[51][52][53]

Genetic studies of coconuts have also confirmed pre-Columbian populations of coconuts

in Panama in South America. However, it is not native and displays a genetic bottleneck resulting
from a founder effect. A study in 2008 showed that the coconuts in the Americas are genetically
closest related to coconuts in the Philippines, and not to any other nearby coconut populations
(including Polynesia). Such an origin indicates that the coconuts were not introduced naturally,
such as by sea currents. The researchers concluded that it was brought by early Austronesian
sailors to the Americas from at least 2,250 BP, and may be proof of pre-Columbian contact
between Austronesian cultures and South American cultures. It is further strengthened by other
similar botanical evidence of contact, like the pre-colonial presence of sweet potato in Oceanian
cultures.[45][48][54] During the colonial era, Pacific coconuts were further introduced to Mexico from
the Spanish East Indies via the Manila galleons.[46]
In contrast to the Pacific coconuts, Indo-Atlantic coconuts were largely spread by Arab and
Persian traders into the East African coast. Indo-Atlantic coconuts were also introduced into
the Atlantic Ocean by Portuguese ships from their colonies in coastal India and Sri Lanka; first
being introduced to coastal West Africa, then onwards into the Caribbean and the east coast
of Brazil. All of these introductions are within the last few centuries, relatively recent in
comparison to the spread of Pacific coconuts.[46]