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Tejero JM, Cheronet O, Gelabert P, Zagorc B, Álvarez-Fernández E, Arias P, Averbouh A, Bar-Oz G, Barzilai O, Belfer-Cohen A, Bosch MD, Brück F, Cueto M, Dockner M, Fullola JM, Gárate D, Giannakoulis M, González C, Jakeli N, Mangado X, Meshveliani T, Neruda P, Nigst P, Ontañón R, Shemer M, Šimková PG, Tapia J, Sánchez de la Torre M, Schwab C, Weber G, Pinhasi R. Cervidae antlers exploited to manufacture prehistoric tools and hunting implements as a reliable source of ancient DNA. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31858. [PMID: 38845985 PMCID: PMC11154607 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Antler is one of the primary animal raw materials exploited for technical purposes by the hunter-gatherer groups of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic (UP) all over the ecological range of deers, and beyond. It was exhaustively employed to produce one of the most critical tools for the survival of the UP societies: hunting weapons. However, antler implements can be made from diverse deer taxa, with different ecological requirements and ethological behaviours. Identifying the antler's origin at a taxonomic level is thus essential in improving our knowledge of humans' functional, practical and symbolic choices, as well as the human-animal interface during Prehistoric times. Nevertheless, palaeogenetics analyses have focused mainly on bone and teeth, with genetic studies of antler generally focused on modern deer conservation. Here we present the results of the first whole mitochondrial genome ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis by means of in-solution hybridisation capture of antlers from pre-Holocene archaeological contexts. We analysed a set of 50 Palaeolithic and Neolithic (c. 34-8ka) antler and osseous objects from South-Western Europe, Central Europe, South-Western Asia and the Caucasus. We successfully obtained aDNA, allowing us to identify the exploited taxa and demonstrate the archaeological relevance of those finds. Moreover, as most of the antlers were sampled using a minimally-invasive method, further analyses (morphometric, technical, genetic, radiometric and more) remain possible on these objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-Miguel Tejero
- Seminari D'Estudis I Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP), Dep. Història i Arqueologia, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivia Cheronet
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Pere Gelabert
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
- Departament de Biologia Animal, de Biologia Vegetal I D'Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Brina Zagorc
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Pablo Arias
- Instituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria (IIIPC), (Universidad de Cantabria-Gobierno de Cantabria-Santander Universidades), Santander, Spain
| | - Aline Averbouh
- CNRS-MNHN UMR 7209 Archéozoologie, Archéobotanique: Sociétés, Pratiques et Environnement. Muséum National D’Histoire Naturelle, Département « Homme et Environnement » & Institut INEE CNRS « Environnement et écologie », Paris, France
| | - Guy Bar-Oz
- Laboratory of Archaeozoology, School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, University of Haifa, Israel
| | - Omry Barzilai
- The Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies, School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
| | - Anna Belfer-Cohen
- Institute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marjolein D. Bosch
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Archaeological Institute – Prehistory Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Brück
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Marián Cueto
- Departament de Prehistòria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martin Dockner
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Josep Maria Fullola
- Seminari D'Estudis I Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP), Dep. Història i Arqueologia, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut D'Arqueologia de La Universitat de Barcelona (IAUB), Spain
| | - Diego Gárate
- Instituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria (IIIPC), (Universidad de Cantabria-Gobierno de Cantabria-Santander Universidades), Santander, Spain
| | | | - Cynthia González
- Seminari D'Estudis I Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP), Dep. Història i Arqueologia, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut D'Arqueologia de La Universitat de Barcelona (IAUB), Spain
| | | | - Xavier Mangado
- Seminari D'Estudis I Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP), Dep. Història i Arqueologia, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut D'Arqueologia de La Universitat de Barcelona (IAUB), Spain
| | | | - Petr Neruda
- Moravské Zemské Museum, Historické Muzeum, Ústav Anthropos, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philip Nigst
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
- Department of Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Roberto Ontañón
- Instituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria (IIIPC), (Universidad de Cantabria-Gobierno de Cantabria-Santander Universidades), Santander, Spain
- Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria (MUPAC), Santander, Spain
| | - Maayan Shemer
- The Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies, School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, 3498838 Haifa, Israel
- Department of Bible, Archaeology and the Ancient Near East, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Petra G. Šimková
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Jesús Tapia
- Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi, Donostia, Spain
| | - Marta Sánchez de la Torre
- Seminari D'Estudis I Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP), Dep. Història i Arqueologia, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut D'Arqueologia de La Universitat de Barcelona (IAUB), Spain
| | - Catherine Schwab
- Musée D’Archéologie Nationale et Domaine National de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France
| | - Gerhard Weber
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Ron Pinhasi
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria
- Human Evolution and Archeological Sciences (HEAS), University of Vienna, Austria
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Heckeberg NS. The systematics of the Cervidae: a total evidence approach. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8114. [PMID: 32110477 PMCID: PMC7034380 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematic relationships of cervids have been controversial for decades. Despite new input from molecular systematics, consensus could only be partially reached. The initial, gross (sub) classification based on morphology and comparative anatomy was mostly supported by molecular data. The rich fossil record of cervids has never been extensively tested in phylogenetic frameworks concerning potential systematic relationships of fossil cervids to extant cervids. The aim of this work was to investigate the systematic relationships of extant and fossil cervids using molecular and morphological characters and make implications about their evolutionary history based on the phylogenetic reconstructions. To achieve these objectives, molecular data were compiled consisting of five nuclear markers and the complete mitochondrial genome of 50 extant and one fossil cervids. Several analyses using different data partitions, taxon sampling, partitioning schemes, and optimality criteria were undertaken. In addition, the most extensive morphological character matrix for such a broad cervid taxon sampling was compiled including 168 cranial and dental characters of 41 extant and 29 fossil cervids. The morphological and molecular data were analysed in a combined approach and other comprehensive phylogenetic reconstructions. The results showed that most Miocene cervids were more closely related to each other than to any other cervids. They were often positioned between the outgroup and all other cervids or as the sister taxon to Muntiacini. Two Miocene cervids were frequently placed within Muntiacini. Plio- and Pleistocene cervids could often be affiliated to Cervini, Odocoileini or Capreolini. The phylogenetic analyses provide new insights into the evolutionary history of cervids. Several fossil cervids could be successfully related to living representatives, confirming previously assumed affiliations based on comparative morphology and introducing new hypotheses. New systematic relationships were observed, some uncertainties persisted and resolving systematics within certain taxa remained challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola S. Heckeberg
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
- SNSB-Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Munich, Germany
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Palaeontology & Geobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Berlin, Germany
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Mennecart B, DeMiguel D, Bibi F, Rössner GE, Métais G, Neenan JM, Wang S, Schulz G, Müller B, Costeur L. Bony labyrinth morphology clarifies the origin and evolution of deer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13176. [PMID: 29030580 PMCID: PMC5640792 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12848-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Deer are an iconic group of large mammals that originated in the Early Miocene of Eurasia (ca. 19 Ma). While there is some consensus on key relationships among their members, on the basis of molecular- or morphology-based analyses, or combined approaches, many questions remain, and the bony labyrinth has shown considerable potential for the phylogenetics of this and other groups. Here we examine its shape in 29 species of living and fossil deer using 3D geometric morphometrics and cladistics. We clarify several issues of the origin and evolution of cervids. Our results give new age estimates at different nodes of the tree and provide for the first time a clear distinction of stem and crown Cervidae. We unambiguously attribute the fossil Euprox furcatus (13.8 Ma) to crown Cervidae, pushing back the origin of crown deer to (at least) 4 Ma. Furthermore, we show that Capreolinae are more variable in bony labyrinth shape than Cervinae and confirm for the first time the monophyly of the Old World Capreolinae (including the Chinese water deer Hydropotes) based on morphological characters only. Finally, we provide evidence to support the sister group relationship of Megaloceros giganteus with the fallow deer Dama.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Mennecart
- Nathurhistorisches Museum Basel, Augustinergasse 2, 4001, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel DeMiguel
- ICTA-ICP, Edifici Z, c/de les columnes s/n, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Área de Paleontología.Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
- Fundación ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Faysal Bibi
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Invalidenstraße 43, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gertrud E Rössner
- Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Richard-Wagner-Strasse 10, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Grégoire Métais
- CR2P - Centre de Recherches sur la Paléobiodiversité et les Paléoenvironnements, UMR 7207, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, UPMC, Sorbonne Universités. MNHN, CP38, 8 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France
| | - James M Neenan
- Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW, United Kingdom
| | - Shiqi Wang
- Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 142 Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Georg Schulz
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gewerbestrasse 14, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Bert Müller
- University of Basel, Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gewerbestrasse 14, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Costeur
- Nathurhistorisches Museum Basel, Augustinergasse 2, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
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Immel A, Drucker DG, Bonazzi M, Jahnke TK, Münzel SC, Schuenemann VJ, Herbig A, Kind CJ, Krause J. Mitochondrial Genomes of Giant Deers Suggest their Late Survival in Central Europe. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10853. [PMID: 26052672 PMCID: PMC4459102 DOI: 10.1038/srep10853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The giant deer Megaloceros giganteus is among the most fascinating Late Pleistocene Eurasian megafauna that became extinct at the end of the last ice age. Important questions persist regarding its phylogenetic relationship to contemporary taxa and the reasons for its extinction. We analyzed two large ancient cervid bone fragments recovered from cave sites in the Swabian Jura (Baden-Württemberg, Germany) dated to 12,000 years ago. Using hybridization capture in combination with next generation sequencing, we were able to reconstruct nearly complete mitochondrial genomes from both specimens. Both mtDNAs cluster phylogenetically with fallow deer and show high similarity to previously studied partial Megaloceros giganteus DNA from Kamyshlov in western Siberia and Killavullen in Ireland. The unexpected presence of Megaloceros giganteus in Southern Germany after the Ice Age suggests a later survival in Central Europe than previously proposed. The complete mtDNAs provide strong phylogenetic support for a Dama-Megaloceros clade. Furthermore, isotope analyses support an increasing competition between giant deer, red deer, and reindeer after the Last Glacial Maximum, which might have contributed to the extinction of Megaloceros in Central Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Immel
- Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Archaeo- and Palaeogenetics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dorothée G. Drucker
- Department of Geosciences, Palaeobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marion Bonazzi
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tina K. Jahnke
- State Office for Cultural Heritage Baden-Wuerttemberg, Berliner Straße 12, D-73728 Esslingen, Germany
| | - Susanne C. Münzel
- Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Archaeozoology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Verena J. Schuenemann
- Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Archaeo- and Palaeogenetics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Herbig
- Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Archaeo- and Palaeogenetics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Khalaische Straße 10, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Claus-Joachim Kind
- State Office for Cultural Heritage Baden-Wuerttemberg, Berliner Straße 12, D-73728 Esslingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Krause
- Institute for Archaeological Sciences, Archaeo- and Palaeogenetics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Khalaische Straße 10, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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