Ancient DNA analysis of the oldest canid species from the Siberian Arctic and genetic contribution to the domestic dog

PLoS One. 2015 May 27;10(5):e0125759. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125759. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Modern Arctic Siberia provides a wealth of resources for archaeological, geological, and paleontological research to investigate the population dynamics of faunal communities from the Pleistocene, particularly as the faunal material coming from permafrost has proven suitable for genetic studies. In order to examine the history of the Canid species in the Siberian Arctic, we carried out genetic analysis of fourteen canid remains from various sites, including the well-documented Upper Paleolithic Yana RHS and Early Holocene Zhokhov Island sites. Estimated age of samples range from as recent as 1,700 years before present (YBP) to at least 360,000 YBP for the remains of the extinct wolf, Canis cf. variabilis. In order to examine the genetic affinities of ancient Siberian canids species to the domestic dog and modern wolves, we obtained mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and compared them to published ancient and modern canid sequences. The older canid specimens illustrate affinities with pre-domestic dog/wolf lineages while others appear in the major phylogenetic clades of domestic dogs. Our results suggest a European origin of domestic dog may not be conclusive and illustrates an emerging complexity of genetic contribution of regional wolf breeds to the modern Canis gene pool.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arctic Regions
  • Canidae / genetics*
  • DNA, Mitochondrial* / genetics
  • Dogs / genetics
  • Fossils*
  • Phylogeny
  • Siberia

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial

Grants and funding

This experimental procedures and excavations for Zhokhov, Yana RHS, and New Siberian Islands were supported by the Rock Foundation. The Ford Motor Company aided in the research of the Aachim Lighthouse site. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.