Ancient divergence of Indian and Tibetan wolves revealed by recombination‐aware phylogenomics

Hennelly, Lauren; Habib, Bilal; Modi, Shrushti; Rueness, Eli Knispel; Gaubert, Philippe; Sacks, Benjamin N.

doi:10.1111/mec.16127

Cited by 28 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 78 publications

(139 reference statements)

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“…Hennelly et al (2021) point out that morphological similarities of these populations correspond with similarities of their arid habitats, and suggest the possibility of adaptive introgression from Indian wolves to West Asian wolves. The authors also suggest that theF I G U R E 1 Indian wolves.…”

mentioning

confidence: 68%

Disentangling the admixed trails of grey wolf evolution

Pilot

2021

Molecular Ecology

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The predominant phylogenetic patterns within a genome do not always reflect correctly the history of evolutionary divergence and speciation, and the true phylogenetic signal tends to be concentrated within low‐recombination regions of the genome. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Hennelly et al. show that this is also the case for intraspecific relationships that are characterized by considerable gene flow between lineages. The study reconstructs the phylogenetic relationships of Indian and Tibetan wolves with other grey wolf (Canis lupus) populations worldwide, and demonstrates that these two populations represent phylogenetically distinct lineages. This inference was supported by using low‐recombination regions of autosomal chromosomes and the X chromosome, which proved to be essential for correct inference of the lineage splitting order. Their study illustrates the power of analytical approaches that implement knowledge of genome evolution patterns to reconstruct complex intraspecific evolutionary relationships. The study also provides a compelling example of the application of modern phylogenomic approaches in the identification of evolutionarily significant units for the purpose of species conservation.

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mentioning

confidence: 68%

Disentangling the admixed trails of grey wolf evolution

Pilot

2021

Molecular Ecology

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“…The results of Hennelly et al. (2021) and Wang et al. (2020) contradict the results of the study Fan et al.…”

Section: Himalayan/tibetan Wolvesmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…1e) has long been confused, owing to uncertainty over their geographical distribution, disparate nomenclature and morphological similarity to neighbouring populations of grey wolves. Based on current analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences (D‐loop and cytochrome b ), whole mitogenomes, nuclear microsatellites, sex‐linked markers, SNPs within regions of the genome responsible for hypoxia adaptation and comprehensive whole‐genome data, the Himalayan wolf is one of the two most evolutionarily distinct lineages (the other being the Indian wolf, C. lupus pallipes ; see below) basal to Holarctic grey wolves, spanning Europe to North America (Aggarwal et al., 2007; Ersmark et al., 2016; Hennelly et al., 2021; Joshi et al., 2020; Koepfli et al., 2015; Loog et al., 2020; Rueness et al., 2011; Sharma et al., 2004; Shrotriya et al., 2012; Wang et al., 2020; Werhahn et al., 2017b, 2018, 2020) also see phylogenies in Koepfli et al., 2015 and Rueness et al., 2011. However, genomic study using four samples by Fan et al.…”

Section: Himalayan/tibetan Wolvesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Indian wolf exhibits divergent mitochondrial haplotypes, mitogenomes, low‐recombining regions of the X chromosome and parts of the nuclear genome that support a distinct taxon that appears largely restricted to the Indian subcontinent (Aggarwal et al., 2007; Bray et al., 2014; Ersmark et al., 2016; Fan et al., 2016; Hamid et al., 2019; Hennelly et al., 2021; Loog et al., 2020; Pilot et al., 2010; Sharma et al., 2004; Werhahn et al., 2017b). Mitochondrial haplotypes for wolves over the vast majority of this range, including Iran and north‐western Pakistan, cluster with those of Holarctic grey wolves, whereas those of the Indian subcontinent (including lowland Pakistan) form the distinct Indian wolf lineage (Hennelly et al., 2021). Nuclear genomic analyses from Indian and West Asian wolves showed that the nuclear genome of West Asian wolves largely reflects ancestry with the Holarctic grey wolf lineage (Hennelly et al., 2021).…”

Section: Indian Wolfmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towards resolving taxonomic uncertainties in wolf, dog and jackal lineages of Africa, Eurasia and Australasia

et al. 2021

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Successful conservation depends on accurate taxonomy. Currently, the taxonomy of canids in Africa, Eurasia and Australasia is unstable as recent molecular and morphological studies have questioned earlier phenetic classifications. We review available information on several taxa of Old World and Australasian Canis with phylogenetic uncertainties (namely, African jackals, Asian wolves and Australasian dogs), in order to assess the validity of suggested scientific names and provide a scientific basis for reaching a taxonomic consensus primarily based on molecular data, but also including morphology, biogeography and behavioural ecology. We identify major knowledge gaps, provide recommendations for future research and discuss conservation implications of an updated taxonomic framework. Recent molecular studies indicate that the former Afro‐Eurasian ‘golden jackal’ represents two distinct lineages, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) from Eurasia and the African wolf (C. lupaster) from Africa. Phylogenetic research also indicates that the side‐striped and black‐backed jackals form a monophyletic group that branched earlier than Canis, Cuon and Lycaon, which should be reassigned to the genus Lupulella as L. adusta and L. mesomelas, respectively. The Himalayan/Tibetan and Indian wolf lineages appear to have diverged earlier and are distinct from all other grey wolves (C. lupus) based on mitochondrial and nuclear genome data. However, until genome‐wide data from multiple individuals across the range clarify relationships with other taxa, we suggest referring to the Himalayan/Tibetan wolf lineage as Canis lupus chanco. We support the currently accepted nomenclature for the Indian wolf Canis lupus pallipes for the wolf populations found on the Indian subcontinent and possibly also in south‐western Asia (exact geographical boundary pending). The information presented here provides a current and consistent taxonomic framework for use by conservationists and other practitioners, but it is also intended to stimulate further research to resolve current uncertainties affecting the taxonomy of Old World canids.

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“…The motivations behind the most recent twist in the saga of the KWS to re-introduce tigers are not clear, except that it is a global flagship species that ensures conservation funds and income from tourists. An alternative approach would be to examine the possibility of focusing efforts on the conservation of the Indian wolf, a species of which there are smaller numbers than of tigers in India and that may be more threatened [18]. Since the occurrence of the wolf is closely linked to the presence of sheep and domestic livestock, this could lead to an innovative community-based conservation model in which the local pastoralists and agro-pastoralists are involved and that could prove to be a trail-blazing model in India for people-centered conservation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Case of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Camel Pastoralism in Rajasthan (India)

Köhler‐Rollefson¹,

Rathore²

2021

Sustainability

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The Indian forest management system introduced during colonial times has led to the progressive loss of the grazing rights of the country’s pastoralists, culminating in the abolishment of grazing fees and replacement with grazing fines in 2004. This scenario has had a negative knock-on effect on the conservation of many of the livestock breeds that pastoralists have developed in adaptation to local environments and that are the basis of the country’s food security. This paper illustrates the dilemma with the example of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) in Rajasthan that represents the traditional monsoon grazing area for local camel, sheep and goat pastoralists. Raika herders have engaged in a long-standing but losing legal battle with the state for their continued seasonal access to this area. This situation contributes to the rapid decline of the camel which is an iconic part of Rajasthan’s desert identity, a major attraction for tourists and was declared state animal in 2014. The aims of the forest department to conserve wild animals and those of pastoralists and camel conservationists could easily be integrated into a more equitable governance system as is endorsed by Aichi Target 11 of the CBD Strategic Plan 2011–2020. However, deeply engrained concepts about nature being separate from (agri-)culture, as well as unequal power structures, stand in the way.

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Ancient divergence of Indian and Tibetan wolves revealed by recombination‐aware phylogenomics

Cited by 28 publications

References 78 publications

Disentangling the admixed trails of grey wolf evolution

Disentangling the admixed trails of grey wolf evolution

Towards resolving taxonomic uncertainties in wolf, dog and jackal lineages of Africa, Eurasia and Australasia

The Case of the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Camel Pastoralism in Rajasthan (India)

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