Complete mitochondrial genome ofCanis lupus campestris

Conservation genomics of wolves: The global impact of RK Wayne's research

RK Wayne has arguably been the most influential geneticist of canids, famously promoting the conservation of wolves in his homeland, the United States. His influence has been felt in other countries and regions outside the contiguous United States, where he inspired others, also including former graduate students and research fellows of his, to use modern molecular techniques to examine the evolutionary biology of canids to inform the conservation and management of wolves. In this review, we focus on the implications of Wayne's work on wolves outside the United States. He envisioned a clear future for wolf conservation research, involving the study of wolves' ecological and genetic diversity, and the description of ecotypes requiring conservation. He also documented widespread hybridization among canids and introgression of DNA from domestic dogs to wolves, a process that started dozens of thousands of years ago. His work therefore calls for innovative studies, such as examining the potential fitness benefits of introgression. Inspired by his results, for example, on the purging of deleterious alleles in small populations, wolf researchers should use novel molecular tools to challenge other conservation genetics paradigms. Overall, RK Wayne's work constitutes a call for answers, which as scientists or citizens concerned with conservation matters, we are obliged to address, as we contribute to monitoring and maintaining biodiversity during our period of dramatic transformations of the biosphere.

Grey wolf genomic history reveals a dual ancestry of dogs

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) was the first species to give rise to a domestic population, and they remained widespread throughout the last Ice Age when many other large mammal species went extinct. Little is known, however, about the history and possible extinction of past wolf populations or when and where the wolf progenitors of the present-day dog lineage (Canis familiaris) lived^1–8. Here we analysed 72 ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years from Europe, Siberia and North America. We found that wolf populations were highly connected throughout the Late Pleistocene, with levels of differentiation an order of magnitude lower than they are today. This population connectivity allowed us to detect natural selection across the time series, including rapid fixation of mutations in the gene IFT88 40,000–30,000 years ago. We show that dogs are overall more closely related to ancient wolves from eastern Eurasia than to those from western Eurasia, suggesting a domestication process in the east. However, we also found that dogs in the Near East and Africa derive up to half of their ancestry from a distinct population related to modern southwest Eurasian wolves, reflecting either an independent domestication process or admixture from local wolves. None of the analysed ancient wolf genomes is a direct match for either of these dog ancestries, meaning that the exact progenitor populations remain to be located.

DNA from ancient wolves spanning 100,000 years sheds light on wolves’ evolutionary history and the genomic origin of dogs.

The Diversity in the Genus Canis Challenges Conservation Biology: A Review of Available Data on Asian Wolves

Taxa belonging to the Genus Canis can challenge taxonomists because species boundaries and distribution ranges are often gradual. Species delineation within Canis is currently not based on consistent criteria, and is hampered by geographical bias and lack of taxonomic research. But a consistent taxonomy is critical, given its importance for assigning legal protection, conservation priorities, and financial resources. We carried out a qualitative review of the major wolf lineages so far identified from Asia from historical to contemporary time and considered relevant morphological, ecological, and genetic evidence. We present full mitochondrial phylogenies and genetic distances between these lineages. This review aims to summarize the available data on contemporary Asian wolf lineages within the context of the larger phylogenetic Canis group and to work toward a taxonomy that is consistent within the Canidae. We found support for the presence and taxon eligibility of Holarctic gray, Himalayan/Tibetan, Indian, and Arabian wolves in Asia and recommend their recognition at the taxonomic levels consistent within the group.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the fennec fox (Vulpes zerda)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) was sequenced using blood samples obtained from a female individual in Shanghai wildlife Park. Sequence analysis showed that the content of T (26.7%) in total composition was no more than C (27.2%), which is different from most of Canide individuals sequenced previously.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), the unique species in Chrysocyon, was sequenced and reported for the first time using blood samples obtained from a female individual in Shanghai Zoo, China. Sequence analysis showed that the genome structure was in accordance with other Canidae species and it contained 12 S rRNA gene, 16 S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the corsac fox (Vulpes corsac)

In this study, we sequenced and reported the complete mitochondrial genome of the corsac fox (Vulpes corsac) for the first time using blood samples obtained from a wild female corsac fox captured from Inner Mongolia, China. Sequence analysis showed it contains 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Belgium Malinois (Canis; Canidae)

In this study, the complete nucleotide sequence of Belgium Malinois mitochondrial genome was determined for the first time. Sequence analysis showed that the genome structure was in accordance with other dogs. It contained 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region (D-loop region). The base composition was A (31.7%), G (14.1%), C (25.5%) and T (28.7%), so the percentage of A and T (60.4%) was higher than that of G and C. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Belgium Malinois will shed a new light on further dog breeds study.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Tibetan red fox (Vulpes vulpes montana)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the Tibetan red fox (Vulpes Vulpes montana) was sequenced for the first time using blood samples obtained from a wild female red fox captured from Lhasa in Tibet, China. Qinghai--Tibet Plateau is the highest plateau in the world with an average elevation above 3500 m. Sequence analysis showed it contains 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region (CR). The variable tandem repeats in CR is the main reason of the length variability of mitochondrial genome among canide animals.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a German Shepherd (Canis lupus familiaris breed German Shepherd) provides insights into genome-wide sequence variations

In this work, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a German shepherd. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,727 bp. It contained the typical structure of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a non-coding control region (D-loop region). The arrangement of these genes was the same as that found in other dogs. All the protein initial codons were ATG, except for ND2, ND3 and ND5 starting with ATA. Sequence comparison indicates that D-loop region harbors most sequence variations.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Chinese indigenous dog

In this study, the complete nucleotide sequence of Chinese indigenous dog mitochondrial genome was determined for the first time. Sequence analysis showed that the genome structure was in accordance with other dogs. It contained 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region (D-loop region). The base composition was A (31.6%), G (14.2%), C (25.5%) and T (28.7%), so the percentage of A and T (60.3%) was higher than that of G and C. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Chinese indigenous dog would shed a new light on further studies in dog domestication.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Cuon alpinus lepturus

The complete mitochondrial genome of a female Chinese dhole (Cuon alpinus lepturus) was sequenced for the first time. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 1 control region.