Successful Genotyping of Microsatellites in the Woolly Mammoth

Abstract

Genetic analyses using ancient DNA from Pleistocene and early Holocene fossils have largely relied on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. Among woolly mammoths, Mammuthus primigenius, mtDNA analyses have identified 2 distinct clades (I and II) that diverged 1-2 Ma. Here, we establish that microsatellite markers can be effective on Pleistocene samples, successfully genotyping woolly mammoth specimens at 2 loci. Although significant differentiation at the 2 microsatellite loci was not detected between 16 clade I and 4 clade II woolly mammoths, our results demonstrate that the nuclear population structure of Pleistocene species can be examined using fast-evolving nuclear microsatellite markers.

Ancient DNA microsatellite analyses of the extinct New Zealand giant moa (Dinornis robustus) identify relatives within a single fossil site

“…However, with new methods available for identifying microsatellites markers from aDNA (Allentoft et al, 2009) and the development of strict protocols for the subsequent data generation (Taberlet et al, 1996;Allentoft et al, 2011), microsatellite analyses of extinct taxa are no longer beyond reach (Ishida et al, 2012;Nyström et al, 2012;Allentoft et al, 2014). Here we employ microsatellite DNA profiling on a large assemblage of radiocarbon-dated fossils of the extinct New Zealand moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes) in an attempt to gain new insights into the palaeobiology of this extinct megafauna.…”

Microsatellite genotyping of medieval cattle from central Italy suggests an old origin of Chianina and Romagnola cattle

“…Analysis of nuclear DNA from ancient remains is more challenging, but has been reported in several studies (Greenwood et al, 1999, 2001; Noonan et al, 2005; Pariset et al, 2007; Green et al, 2010; Reich et al, 2010). Ancient genotypes of nuclear microsatellites markers are informative for genetic diversity, subdivision and geographical origin (Edwards et al, 2003; Allentoft et al, 2011; Ishida et al, 2012; Nyström et al, 2012). Moreover, there are several studies carried out with the so called FAO list of microsatellites in almost every continent on a huge amount of individuals of several breeds (Ajmone-Marsan and The GLOBALDIV Consortium, 2010).…”

Ein bronzezeitlicher Familienclan als genetisches Archiv – Morphologisch-paläogenetische Bearbeitung des Skelettkollektivs aus der Lichtensteinhöhle

“…Aufgrund der oft so geringen Targetkopienanzahl in alten Probenmaterialien bedeutet (Edwards et al 2007, Svensson und Götherström 2008, Cieslak et al 2010, Gravlund et al 2012, Ishida et al 2012 Gesellschaften beitragen (Di Bernado et al 2009, Gamba et al 2011, Haak et al 2008.…”