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Seeber PA, Palmer Z, Schmidt A, Chagas A, Kitagawa K, Marinova-Wolff E, Tafelmaier Y, Epp LS. The first European woolly rhinoceros mitogenomes, retrieved from cave hyena coprolites, suggest long-term phylogeographic differentiation. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20230343. [PMID: 37909055 PMCID: PMC10618854 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) is an iconic species of the Eurasian Pleistocene megafauna, which was abundant in Eurasia in the Pleistocene until its demise beginning approximately 10 000 years ago. Despite the early recovery of several specimens from well-known European archaeological sites, including its type specimen (Blumenbach 1799), no genomes of European populations were available so far, and all available genomic data originated exclusively from Siberian populations. Using coprolites of cave hyenas (Crocuta crocuta spelea) recovered from Middle Palaeolithic layers of two caves in Germany (Bockstein-Loch and Hohlenstein-Stadel), we isolated and enriched predator and prey DNA to assemble the first European woolly rhinoceros mitogenomes, in addition to cave hyena mitogenomes. Both coprolite samples produced copious sequences assigned to C. crocuta (27% and 59% mitogenome coverage, respectively) and woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis; 27% and 81% coverage, respectively). The sequences suggested considerable DNA degradation, which may limit the conclusions to be drawn; however, the mitogenomes of European woolly rhinoceros are genetically distinct from the Siberian woolly rhinoceros, and analyses of the more complete mitogenome suggest a split of the populations potentially coinciding with the earliest fossil records of woolly rhinoceros in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. A. Seeber
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Z. Palmer
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - A. Schmidt
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - A. Chagas
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - K. Kitagawa
- Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany
- Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tubingen, Germany
| | - E. Marinova-Wolff
- Laboratory for Archaeobotany Baden-Württemberg, State Office for Cultural Heritage, Gaienhofen-Hemmenhofen, Germany
| | - Y. Tafelmaier
- State Office for Cultural Heritage Baden-Württemberg, Palaeolithic & Mesolithic Research Unit, Gaienhofen-Hemmenhofen, Germany
| | - L. S. Epp
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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2
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Yuan J, Sun G, Xiao B, Hu J, Wang L, Taogetongqimuge, Bao L, Hou Y, Song S, Jiang S, Wu Y, Pan D, Liu Y, Westbury MV, Lai X, Sheng G. Ancient mitogenomes reveal a high maternal genetic diversity of Pleistocene woolly rhinoceros in Northern China. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:56. [PMID: 37752413 PMCID: PMC10521388 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02168-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) is a typical indicator of cold-stage climate that was widely distributed in Northern Hemisphere during the Middle-Late Pleistocene. Although a plethora of fossils have been excavated from Northern China, their phylogenetic status, intraspecific diversity and phylogeographical structure are still vague. RESULTS In the present study, we generated four mitogenomes from Late Pleistocene woolly rhinoceros in Northern China and compared them with published data. Bayesian and network analyses indicate that the analyzed individuals contain at least four maternal haplogroups, and Chinese samples fall in three of them. One of our samples belongs to a previously unidentified early diverging clade (haplogroup D), which separated from other woolly rhinoceros around 0.57 Ma (95% CI: 0.76-0.41 Ma). The timing of this clade's origin coincides with the first occurrence of woolly rhinoceros, which are thought to have evolved in Europe. Our other three samples cluster in haplogroup C, previously only identified from one specimen from Wrangel Island (ND030) and initially considered to be an isolated clade. Herein, our findings suggest that ND030 is likely descended from a northward dispersal of the individuals carrying haplogroup C from Northern China. Additionally, Chinese woolly rhinoceros specimens exhibit higher nucleotide diversity than those from Siberia. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight Northern China as a possible refugium and a key evolution center of the Pleistocene woolly rhinoceros.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxia Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
- Bioarchaeology Laboratory, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, China.
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
| | - Guojiang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jiaming Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Linying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- College of Earth and Environmental Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730099, China
| | | | - Lei Bao
- Ordos Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Ordos, 017010, China
| | - Yamei Hou
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Shiwen Song
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Yong Wu
- The Third Geological and Mineral Exploration Institute of Gansu Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Dong Pan
- Palaeontological Fossil Conservation Center, Qinggang County, Suihua, 151600, China
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Sociology & Anthropology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | | | - Xulong Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
- School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Guilian Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China.
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3
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Gutiérrez EG, Ortega J, Savoie A, Baeza JA. The mitochondrial genome of the mountain wooly tapir, Tapirus pinchaque and a formal test of the effect of altitude on the adaptive evolution of mitochondrial protein coding genes in odd-toed ungulates. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:527. [PMID: 37674108 PMCID: PMC10481570 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09596-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The harsh conditions of high-altitude environments are known to drive the evolution of physiological and morphological traits in endothermic animals. These conditions are expected to result in the adaptive evolution of protein coding genes encoded in mitochondrial genomes that are vital for the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. In this study, we formally tested for signatures of adaptive evolution on mitochondrial protein coding genes in Tapirus pinchaque and other odd-toed ungulates inhabiting high-elevation environments. RESULTS The AT-rich mitochondrial genome of T. pinchaque is 16,750 bp long. A phylomitogenomic analysis supports the monophyly of the genus Tapirus and families in the Perissodactyla. The ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions demonstrated that all mitochondrial genes undergo purifying selection in T. pinchaque and other odd ungulates living at high elevations. Over this negative background selection, Branch Models suggested that cox3 and nad6 might be undergoing stronger purifying selection than other mitochondrial protein coding genes. Furthermore, Site Models suggested that one and four sites in nad2 and nad5, respectively, could be experiencing positive selection. However, these results were supported by Likelihood Ratio Tests but not Bayesian Empirical Bayes posterior probabilities. Additional analyses (in DataMonkey) indicated a relaxation of selection strength in nad6, evidence of episodic diversifying selection in cob, and revealed episodic positive/diversifying selection signatures for two sites in nad1, and one site each in nad2 and nad4. CONCLUSION The mitochondrial genome of T. pinchaque is an important genomic resource for conservation of this species and this study contributes to the understanding of adaptive evolution of mitochondrial protein coding genes in odd-toed ungulates inhabiting high-altitude environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar G Gutiérrez
- Laboratorio de Bioconservación y Manejo, Posgrado en Ciencias Químicobiológicas, Departamento de Zoología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Ciudad de México, C.P. 11340, Mexico
| | - Jorge Ortega
- Laboratorio de Bioconservación y Manejo, Posgrado en Ciencias Químicobiológicas, Departamento de Zoología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomás, Ciudad de México, C.P. 11340, Mexico
| | - Avery Savoie
- Department of Biological Sciences, 132 Long Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - J Antonio Baeza
- Department of Biological Sciences, 132 Long Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
- Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, 701 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL, 34949, USA.
- Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile.
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Ghosh T, Kumar S, Sharma K, Kakati P, Sharma A, Mondol S. Consideration of genetic variation and evolutionary history in future conservation of Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:92. [PMID: 35858827 PMCID: PMC9301832 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02045-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The extant members of the Asian rhinos have experienced severe population and range declines since Pleistocene through a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors. The one-horned rhino is the only Asian species recovered from such conditions but most of the extant populations are reaching carrying capacity. India currently harbours ~ 83% of the global wild one-horned rhino populations distributed across seven protected areas. Recent assessments recommend reintroduction-based conservation approaches for the species, and implementation of such efforts would greatly benefit from detailed genetic assessments and evolutionary history of these populations. Using mitochondrial data, we investigated the phylogeography, divergence and demographic history of one-horned rhinos across its Indian range. Results We report the first complete mitogenome from all the extant Indian wild one-horned rhino populations (n = 16 individuals). Further, we identified all polymorphic sites and assessed rhino phylogeography (2531 bp mtDNA, n = 111 individuals) across India. Results showed 30 haplotypes distributed as three distinct genetic clades (Fst value 0.68–1) corresponding to the states of Assam (n = 28 haplotypes), West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh (both monomorphic). The reintroduced population of Uttar Pradesh showed maternal signatures of Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Mitochondrial phylogenomics suggests one-horned rhino diverged from its recent common ancestors ~ 950 Kya and different populations (Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh/Nepal) coalesce at ~ 190–50 Kya, corroborating with the paleobiogeography history of the Indian subcontinent. Further, the demography analyses indicated historical decline in female effective population size ~ 300–200 Kya followed by increasing trends during ~ 110–60 Kya. Conclusion The phylogeography and phylogenomic outcomes suggest recognition of three ‘Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs)’ in Indian rhino. With ongoing genetic isolation of the current populations, future management efforts should focus on identifying genetically variable founder animals and consider periodic supplementation events while planning future rhino reintroduction programs in India. Such well-informed, multidisciplinary approach will be the only way to ensure evolutionary, ecological and demographic stability of the species across its range. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-02045-2.
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Wilson OE, Pashkevich MD, Rookmaaker K, Turner EC. Image‐based analyses from an online repository provide rich information on long‐term changes in morphology and human perceptions of rhinos. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar E. Wilson
- Department of Geosciences and Geography University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
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Ennis CC, Ortega J, Baeza JA. First genomic resource for an endangered neotropical mega-herbivore: the complete mitochondrial genome of the forest-dweller (Baird's) tapir ( Tapirus bairdii). PeerJ 2022; 10:e13440. [PMID: 35669959 PMCID: PMC9166683 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Baird's tapir, or the Central American Tapir Tapirus bairdii (family Tapiridae), is one of the largest mammals native to the forests and wetlands of southern North America and Central America, and is categorized as 'endangered' on the 2014 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study reports, for the first time, the complete mitochondrial genome of T. bairdii and examines the phylogenetic position of T. bairdii amongst closely related species in the same family and order to which it belongs using mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCG's). The circular, double-stranded, A-T rich mitochondrial genome of T. bairdii is 16,697 bp in length consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCG's), two ribosomal RNA genes (rrnS (12s ribosomal RNA and rrnL (16s ribosomal RNA)), and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. A 33 bp long region was identified to be the origin of replication for the light strand (OL), and a 1,247 bp long control region (CR) contains the origin of replication for the heavy strand (OH). A majority of the PCG's and tRNA genes are encoded on the positive, or heavy, strand. The gene order in T. baiirdi is identical to that of T. indicus and T. terrestris, the only two other species of extant tapirs with assembled mitochondrial genomes. An analysis of Ka/Ks ratios for all the PCG's show values <1, suggesting that all these PCGs experience strong purifying selection. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of the genus Tapirus and the order Perissodactyla. The complete annotation and analysis of the mitochondrial genome of T. bairdii will contribute to a better understanding of the population genomic diversity and structure of this species, and it will assist in the conservation and protection of its dwindling populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C. Ennis
- Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Jorge Ortega
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico DF, Mexico
| | - J. Antonio Baeza
- Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America,Departamento de Biologia Marina, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, IV Region, Chile,Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Smithsonian Institute, Fort Pierce, FL, United States of America
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7
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Deng MX, Xiao B, Yuan JX, Hu JM, Kim KS, Westbury MV, Lai XL, Sheng GL. Ancient Mitogenomes Suggest Stable Mitochondrial Clades of the Siberian Roe Deer. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010114. [PMID: 35052455 PMCID: PMC8774404 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The roe deer (Capreolus spp.) has been present in China since the early Pleistocene. Despite abundant fossils available for detailed morphological analyses, little is known about the phylogenetic relationships of the fossil individuals to contemporary roe deer. We generated near-complete mitochondrial genomes for four roe deer remains from Northeastern China to explore the genetic connection of the ancient roe deer to the extant populations and to investigate the evolutionary history and population dynamics of this species. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the four ancient samples fall into three out of four different haplogroups of the Siberian roe deer. Haplogroup C, distributed throughout Eurasia, have existed in Northeastern China since at least the Late Pleistocene, while haplogroup A and D, found in the east of Lake Baikal, emerged in Northeastern China after the Mid Holocene. The Bayesian estimation suggested that the first split within the Siberian roe deer occurred approximately 0.34 million years ago (Ma). Moreover, Bayesian skyline plot analyses suggested that the Siberian roe deer had a population increase between 325 and 225 thousand years ago (Kya) and suffered a transient decline between 50 and 18 Kya. This study provides novel insights into the evolutionary history and population dynamics of the roe deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao-Xuan Deng
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China;
| | - Bo Xiao
- School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; (B.X.); (J.-M.H.); (X.-L.L.)
| | - Jun-Xia Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China;
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Jia-Ming Hu
- School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; (B.X.); (J.-M.H.); (X.-L.L.)
| | - Kyung Seok Kim
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, lowa State University, Ames, IA 77575, USA;
| | - Michael V. Westbury
- GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Xu-Long Lai
- School of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China; (B.X.); (J.-M.H.); (X.-L.L.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China;
| | - Gui-Lian Sheng
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China;
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-27-6788-3022
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Mallet C, Houssaye A, Cornette R, Billet G. Long bone shape variation in the forelimb of Rhinocerotoidea: relation with size, body mass and body proportions. Zool J Linn Soc 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In quadrupeds, limb bones are strongly affected by functional constraints linked to weight support, but few studies have addressed the complementary effects of mass, size and body proportions on limb bone shape. During their history, Rhinocerotoidea have displayed a great diversity of body masses and relative size and proportions of limb bones, from small tapir-like forms to giant species. Here, we explore the evolutionary variation of shapes in forelimb bones and its relationship with body mass in Rhinocerotoidea. Our results indicate a general increase in robustness and greater development of muscular insertions in heavier species, counteracting the higher weight loadings induced by an increased body mass. The shape of the humerus changes allometrically and exhibits a strong phylogenetic signal. Shapes of the radius and ulna display a stronger link with body mass repartition than with the absolute mass itself. Congruent shape variation between the humerus and the proximal part of the ulna suggests that the elbow joint is comprised of two strongly covariant structures. In addition, our work confirms the uniqueness of giant Paraceratheriidae among Rhinocerotoidea, whose shape variation is related to both a high body mass and a cursorial forelimb construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Mallet
- Mécanismes adaptatifs et évolution (MECADEV), UMR 7179, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 55 rue Buffon, CP 55, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Houssaye
- Mécanismes adaptatifs et évolution (MECADEV), UMR 7179, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 55 rue Buffon, CP 55, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Cornette
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), UMR 7205, MNHN, CNRS, Sorbonne Université (SU), École Pratique des Hautes Études, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 50, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Billet
- Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie – Paris (CR2P), UMR 7207, MNHN, CNRS, SU, 8 rue Buffon, CP 38, 75005 Paris, France
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9
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Dalton DL, Prost S. Rhinoceros genomes uncover family secrets. Nature 2021; 599:209-210. [PMID: 34667298 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-021-02777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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10
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Matschiner M. Museum specimens tell the history of rhinoceroses. Cell 2021; 184:4841-4842. [PMID: 34499855 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rhinoceroses are facing an uncertain future due to human-induced population-size reductions. In this issue of Cell, Liu et al. analyze rhinoceros genomes to study their past and find support for an early divergence between African and Asian species, signatures of past hybridization, and evidence of loss of genetic diversity.
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11
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Liu S, Westbury MV, Dussex N, Mitchell KJ, Sinding MHS, Heintzman PD, Duchêne DA, Kapp JD, von Seth J, Heiniger H, Sánchez-Barreiro F, Margaryan A, André-Olsen R, De Cahsan B, Meng G, Yang C, Chen L, van der Valk T, Moodley Y, Rookmaaker K, Bruford MW, Ryder O, Steiner C, Bruins-van Sonsbeek LGR, Vartanyan S, Guo C, Cooper A, Kosintsev P, Kirillova I, Lister AM, Marques-Bonet T, Gopalakrishnan S, Dunn RR, Lorenzen ED, Shapiro B, Zhang G, Antoine PO, Dalén L, Gilbert MTP. Ancient and modern genomes unravel the evolutionary history of the rhinoceros family. Cell 2021; 184:4874-4885.e16. [PMID: 34433011 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Only five species of the once-diverse Rhinocerotidae remain, making the reconstruction of their evolutionary history a challenge to biologists since Darwin. We sequenced genomes from five rhinoceros species (three extinct and two living), which we compared to existing data from the remaining three living species and a range of outgroups. We identify an early divergence between extant African and Eurasian lineages, resolving a key debate regarding the phylogeny of extant rhinoceroses. This early Miocene (∼16 million years ago [mya]) split post-dates the land bridge formation between the Afro-Arabian and Eurasian landmasses. Our analyses also show that while rhinoceros genomes in general exhibit low levels of genome-wide diversity, heterozygosity is lowest and inbreeding is highest in the modern species. These results suggest that while low genetic diversity is a long-term feature of the family, it has been particularly exacerbated recently, likely reflecting recent anthropogenic-driven population declines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanlin Liu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Michael V Westbury
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicolas Dussex
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius vag 20C, Stockholm 10691, Sweden; Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm 10405, Sweden; Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
| | - Kieren J Mitchell
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter D Heintzman
- The Arctic University Museum of Norway, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - David A Duchêne
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joshua D Kapp
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Johanna von Seth
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius vag 20C, Stockholm 10691, Sweden; Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm 10405, Sweden; Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
| | - Holly Heiniger
- Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
| | - Fátima Sánchez-Barreiro
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ashot Margaryan
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Remi André-Olsen
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, 17121 Solna, Sweden
| | - Binia De Cahsan
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guanliang Meng
- China National Genebank, BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Chentao Yang
- China National Genebank, BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Center for Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Tom van der Valk
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yoshan Moodley
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, Republic of South Africa
| | - Kees Rookmaaker
- Editor of the Rhino Resource Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael W Bruford
- School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK; Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
| | - Oliver Ryder
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego, CA 92027, USA
| | - Cynthia Steiner
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego, CA 92027, USA
| | | | - Sergey Vartanyan
- N.A. Shilo North-East Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (NEISRI FEB RAS), Magadan 685000, Russia
| | - Chunxue Guo
- China National Genebank, BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Alan Cooper
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Pavel Kosintsev
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia; Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Irina Kirillova
- Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119017, Russia
| | - Adrian M Lister
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; Centre Nacional d'Anàlisi Genòmica, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CNAG-CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain; Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Shyam Gopalakrishnan
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert R Dunn
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Eline D Lorenzen
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Beth Shapiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 96050, USA
| | - Guojie Zhang
- China National Genebank, BGI Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; Villum Center for Biodiversity Genomics, Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Pierre-Olivier Antoine
- Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution, Université Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, EPHE, Montpellier 34095, France
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius vag 20C, Stockholm 10691, Sweden; Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm 10405, Sweden; Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden.
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) University Museum, Trondheim 7012, Norway.
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Wildlife forensics: A boon for species identification and conservation implications. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 317:110530. [PMID: 33096398 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife trade and fraudulence in food, artefacts and cosmetic industries had raised serious concern in protection of the wild faunal diversity. Lack of proper tools and molecular based techniques for identification of wild species are some of the major constrains faced by the judiciary and law enforcement agencies while framing charges against poachers and illicit agitator. The emergence of wildlife forensics serves as a boon in solving long pending cases of wildlife crimes. Wildlife forensics have proven to be fast, accurate and reliable criminal investigation processes with comprehensive coverage and easy accessibility. It has also helped resolving taxonomic disputes, determining spatiotemporal genetic divergence, evolutionary history, origins and even endemism. Collaboration among inter-disciplinary fields has even led to engineered signature markers and phylogenetics for several species. Development in fields of genetics, molecular and evolutionary biology and other omics techniques have further contributed in accurate identification of species. Wildlife forensics, with the support of proper international mega database units for population reference, will be fundamental in wildlife investigations through its unlimited information sharing ability. The efficient conservation of species will, however, require a collaborative approach consisting of national policy makers, local stakeholders and implementation agencies in addition to experts from the scientific communities.
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