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Biogeography and conservation of desert warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus and common warthog Phacochoerus africanus (Artiodactyla: Suidae) in the Horn of Africa. MAMMALIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2022-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Two species of warthog are currently widely recognised, the poorly known desert warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus and the widely distributed common warthog Phacochoerus africanus. Spatial data for both species were collected during field surveys and from the literature, museums, colleagues, naturalists, local experts, and online resources to assess their biogeography in the Horn of Africa (HoA). Their distributions were overlaid with ArcGIS datasets for altitude, rainfall, temperature, and ecoregions. Phacochoerus aethiopicus appears to be restricted to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, with no records west of the Eastern Rift Valley (ERV). The estimated current geographic distribution of P. aethiopicus is 1,109,000 km2. Phacochoerus africanus occurs in all five countries of the HoA and has an estimated current geographic distribution in the HoA of 1,213,000 km2. Phacochoerus africanus appears to be the more adaptable species although P. aethiopicus is able to live where mean annual rainfall is more variable. Although both species are allopatric over vast regions, they are sympatric in central east Ethiopia, north Somalia, central Kenya, north coast of Kenya, and southeast Kenya. Both suids remain locally common, their populations are, however, in decline due to the negative impacts on the environment by the rapidly growing human populations in all five countries.
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Garcia-Erill G, Jørgensen CHF, Muwanika VB, Wang X, Rasmussen MS, de Jong YA, Gaubert P, Olayemi A, Salmona J, Butynski TM, Bertola LD, Siegismund HR, Albrechtsen A, Heller R. Warthog Genomes Resolve an Evolutionary Conundrum and Reveal Introgression of Disease Resistance Genes. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6627297. [PMID: 35779009 PMCID: PMC9250280 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
African wild pigs have a contentious evolutionary and biogeographic history. Until recently, desert warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) and common warthog (P. africanus) were considered a single species. Molecular evidence surprisingly suggested they diverged at least 4.4 million years ago, and possibly outside of Africa. We sequenced the first whole-genomes of four desert warthogs and 35 common warthogs from throughout their range. We show that these two species diverged much later than previously estimated, 400,000–1,700,000 years ago depending on assumptions of gene flow. This brings it into agreement with the paleontological record. We found that the common warthog originated in western Africa and subsequently colonized eastern and southern Africa. During this range expansion, the common warthog interbred with the desert warthog, presumably in eastern Africa, underlining this region’s importance in African biogeography. We found that immune system–related genes may have adaptively introgressed into common warthogs, indicating that resistance to novel diseases was one of the most potent drivers of evolution as common warthogs expanded their range. Hence, we solve some of the key controversies surrounding warthog evolution and reveal a complex evolutionary history involving range expansion, introgression, and adaptation to new diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genís Garcia-Erill
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Christian H F Jørgensen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Vincent B Muwanika
- Department of Environmental Management, Makerere University, PO Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Malthe S Rasmussen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Yvonne A de Jong
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program & Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme, PO Box 149, Nanyuki 10400, Kenya
| | - Philippe Gaubert
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Ayodeji Olayemi
- Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, HO 220005 Ile Ife, Nigeria
| | - Jordi Salmona
- Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas M Butynski
- Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program & Lolldaiga Hills Research Programme, PO Box 149, Nanyuki 10400, Kenya
| | - Laura D Bertola
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Hans R Siegismund
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Heller
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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Molecular characterization of Acomys louisae from Somaliland: a deep divergence and contrasting genetic patterns in a rift zone. Mamm Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Mader BJ, Hammer RB. On the true nature of the sphenoidal “pits” in the common warthog, Phacochoerus africanus (Artiodactyla, Suidae), and a description of the cranial sinuses. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The peculiar sphenoidal “pits” of the common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) long have been recognized as a feature that distinguishes that species from the closely related desert warthog (P. aethiopicus). Authors seem to regard these structures as blind pockets that do not extend beyond the basicranium. However, these structures actually are openings that lead into a complex system of sinuses (the sphenoidal sinuses) located in the sphenoid and squamosal, and occasionally extending into the occipital and parietal bones. The openings appear to serve as a drain into the nasopharynx. The sphenoidal “pits” of P. africanus as currently defined by most authors are, therefore, not homologous with the sphenoidal pits of P. aethiopicus. We suggest that the term “sphenoidal apertures” be applied to these openings. The true homologue of the sphenoidal pits of P. aethiopicus is the bone that surrounds the sphenoidal apertures in P. africanus. This would include the thin bony sheet that forms the floor of the opening and that bears a shallow fossa. We recommend the term “sphenoidal shelf” be employed to describe this part of the true sphenoidal pit of P. africanus. In addition to the sphenoidal sinuses, the maxillary and frontal sinuses of P. africanus also are described. We report the possibility of mammalian cranial sinuses arising from nasopharyngeal diverticula rather than from diverticula originating from the nasal cavity proper. Previously, such nasopharyngeal pneumatization only has been known to occur in Reptilia. Possible sinus functions are discussed including shock absorption, lightening of the skull, improvement of olfaction, and enhancement of the immune system. In addition to P. africanus, sphenoidal apertures also occur in Babyrousa, and in an extinct perissodactyl, a brontothere (= titanothere).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryn J Mader
- Department of Biological Sciences and Geology, Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY, USA
| | - Rachel B Hammer
- Department of Biological Sciences and Geology, Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY, USA
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Rannikko J, Adhikari H, Karme A, Žliobaitė I, Fortelius M. The case of the grass-eating suids in the Plio-Pleistocene Turkana Basin: 3D dental topography in relation to diet in extant and fossil pigs. J Morphol 2020; 281:348-364. [PMID: 31998996 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Two separate subfamilies of Plio-Pleistocene African pigs (suids) consecutively evolved hypsodont and horizodont molars with flat occlusal surfaces, commonly interpreted as an adaptive trait to a grazing diet, similar to that of the present warthogs (Phacochoerus spp.). To investigate this in detail, we studied the 3D-dental topography of fossil specimens from the Turkana Basin, using geographic information systems-based methods. To establish baselines for interpretation of the Turkana Basin suids, topography of third molars of extant suids with known diets were analyzed: grazing warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), herbivorous mixed-feeder forest hog (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), omnivorous generalist wild boar (Sus scrofa), omnivorous fruit and tuber eater bush pig (Potamochoerus spp.), and omnivorous fruit eater babirusa (Babyrousa spp.) In addition, we analyzed supposedly browsing Miocene suids, Listriodon spp. The same topographic measures were applied to Plio-Pleistocene specimens from the Turkana Basin, Kenya: Notochoerus euilus, Notochoerus scotti, Kolpochoerus heseloni, and Metridiochoerus andrewsi. With some differences between techniques, 3D-dental topography analysis of extant suid molars mostly predicts the dietary differences between the species correctly. The grazing P. africanus differs from both the omnivorous suids and the herbivorous mixed-feeder H. meinertzhageni in all except one metrics. The omnivorous mostly tropical suids, Potamochoerus and Babyrousa, primarily differ from the generalist, S. scrofa, in the orientation patch count analysis, showing higher occlusal complexity in the latter. Although, there might be significant gaps between the morphological changes and the ecological changes, we conclude that based on comparison of dental topography with the present-day suids, N. scotti and M. andrewsi were most likely highly specialized grazers, while N. euilus and K. heseloni retained more of their ancestral, omnivorous heritage, but consumed grasses more than the extant omnivorous suids. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Dental topography can predict different diets in present-day wild pigs. The Plio-Pleistocene pigs in the Turkana Basin had dental topography mostly similar to extant grazing warthog, although some species also had resemblances to omnivorous forest pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Rannikko
- Helsinki XR Center, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hari Adhikari
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aleksis Karme
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Indre Žliobaitė
- Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikael Fortelius
- Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Aghová T, Palupčíková K, Šumbera R, Frynta D, Lavrenchenko LA, Meheretu Y, Sádlová J, Votýpka J, Mbau JS, Modrý D, Bryja J. Multiple radiations of spiny mice (Rodentia: Acomys) in dry open habitats of Afro-Arabia: evidence from a multi-locus phylogeny. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:69. [PMID: 30832573 PMCID: PMC6399835 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1380-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spiny mice of the genus Acomys are distributed mainly in dry open habitats in Africa and the Middle East, and they are widely used as model taxa for various biological disciplines (e.g. ecology, physiology and evolutionary biology). Despite their importance, large distribution and abundance in local communities, the phylogeny and the species limits in the genus are poorly resolved, and this is especially true for sub-Saharan taxa. The main aims of this study are (1) to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of Acomys based on the largest available multilocus dataset (700 genotyped individuals from 282 localities), (2) to identify the main biogeographical divides in the distribution of Acomys diversity in dry open habitats in Afro-Arabia, (3) to reconstruct the historical biogeography of the genus, and finally (4) to estimate the species richness of the genus by application of the phylogenetic species concept. Results The multilocus phylogeny based on four genetic markers shows presence of five major groups of Acomys called here subspinosus, spinosissimus, russatus, wilsoni and cahirinus groups. Three of these major groups (spinosissimus, wilsoni and cahirinus) are further sub-structured to phylogenetic lineages with predominantly parapatric distributions. Combination of alternative species delimitation methods suggests the existence of 26 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), potentially corresponding to separate species. The highest genetic diversity was found in Eastern Africa. The origin of the genus Acomys is dated to late Miocene (ca. 8.7 Ma), when the first split occurred between spiny mice of eastern (Somali-Masai) and south-eastern (Zambezian) savannas. Further diversification, mostly in Plio-Pleistocene, and the current distribution of Acomys were influenced by the interplay of global climatic factors (e.g., Messinian salinity crisis, intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation) with local geomorphology (mountain chains, aridity belts, water bodies). Combination of divergence dating, species distribution modelling and historical biogeography analysis suggests repeated “out-of-East-Africa” dispersal events into western Africa, the Mediterranean region and Arabia. Conclusions The genus Acomys is very suitable model for historical phylogeographic and biogeographic reconstructions of dry non-forested environments in Afro-Arabia. We provide the most thorough phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus and identify major factors that influenced its evolutionary history since the late Miocene. We also highlight the urgent need of integrative taxonomic revision of east African taxa. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12862-019-1380-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Aghová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic. .,Department of Zoology, National Museum, 115 79, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - K Palupčíková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - R Šumbera
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - D Frynta
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - L A Lavrenchenko
- A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, 119071, Moscow, Russia
| | - Y Meheretu
- Department of Biology and Institute of Mountain Research and Development, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 3102, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - J Sádlová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 44, Prague, Czech Republic.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - J S Mbau
- Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - D Modrý
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - J Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 603 65, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 602 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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Boshoff A, Landman M, Kerley G. Filling the gaps on the maps: historical distribution patterns of some larger mammals in part of southern Africa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/0035919x.2015.1084066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Mccann BE, Malek MJ, Newman RA, Schmit BS, Swafford SR, Sweitzer RA, Simmons RB. Mitochondrial diversity supports multiple origins for invasive pigs. J Wildl Manage 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Blake E. Mccann
- Resource Management, Wildlife; Theodore Roosevelt National Park; 315 Second Avenue P.O. Box 7 Medora ND 58645 USA
| | - Mathew J. Malek
- Department of Biology; University of North Dakota; 10 Cornell Street, Stop 9019 Grand Forks ND 58202 USA
| | - Robert A. Newman
- Department of Biology; University of North Dakota; 10 Cornell Street, Stop 9019 Grand Forks ND 58202 USA
| | - Brandon S. Schmit
- Wildlife Services; United States Department of Agriculture; 4101 La Porte Avenue Fort Collins CO 80521 USA
| | - Seth R. Swafford
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 12595 MS Highway 149 Yazoo City MS 39194 USA
| | | | - Rebecca B. Simmons
- Department of Biology; University of North Dakota; 10 Cornell Street, Stop 9019 Grand Forks ND 58202 USA
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Rubes J, Musilova P, Kopecna O, Kubickova S, Cernohorska H, Kulemsina AI. Comparative molecular cytogenetics in Cetartiodactyla. Cytogenet Genome Res 2012; 137:194-207. [PMID: 22627059 DOI: 10.1159/000338932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cetartiodactyla comprises Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) and Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Artiodactyla is a large taxon represented by about 200 living species ranked in 10 families. Cetacea are classified into 13 families with almost 80 species. Many publications concerning karyotypic relationships in Cetartiodactyla have been published in previous decades. Formerly, the karyotypes of closely related species were compared by chromosome banding. Introduction of molecular cytogenetic methods facilitated comparative mapping between species with highly rearranged karyotypes and distantly related species. Such information is a prerequisite for the understanding of karyotypic phylogeny and the reconstruction of the karyotypes of common ancestors. This study summarizes the data on chromosome evolution in Cetartiodactyla, mainly derived from molecular cytogenetic studies. Traditionally, phylogenetic relationships of most groups have been estimated using morphological data. However, the results of some molecular studies of mammalian phylogeny are discordant with traditional conceptions of phylogeny. Cetartiodactyls provide several examples of incongruence between traditional morphological and molecular data. Such cases of conflict include the relationships of the major clades of artiodactyls, the relationships among the extant families of the suborder Ruminantia or the phylogeny of the family Bovidae. The most unexpected aspect of the molecular phylogeny was the recognition that Cetacea is a deeply nested member of Artiodactyla. The largest living order of terrestrial hoofed mammals is the even-toed hoofed mammals, or Artiodactyla. The artiodactyls are composed of over 190 living species including pigs, peccaries, hippos, camels, llamas, deer, pronghorns, giraffes, sheep, goats, cattle and antelopes. Cetacea is an order of wholly aquatic mammals, which include whales, dolphins and porpoises. Cetartiodactyla has become the generally accepted name for the clade containing both of these orders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Rubes
- Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Gongora J, Cuddahee RE, Nascimento FFD, Palgrave CJ, Lowden S, Ho SYW, Simond D, Damayanti CS, White DJ, Tay WT, Randi E, Klingel H, Rodrigues-Zarate CJ, Allen K, Moran C, Larson G. Rethinking the evolution of extant sub-Saharan African suids (Suidae, Artiodactyla). ZOOL SCR 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2011.00480.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Obanda VO, Lekolool I, Munyao M, Chege SM, Manyibe T, Gakuya F. New distribution records for the desert Warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus delamerei - Pallas 1766). Afr J Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2011.01259.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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12
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Grubb P, d'Huart JP. Rediscovery of the Cape WarthogPhacochoerus aethiopicus: A Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.2982/028.099.0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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13
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CÉLIO ALVES PAULO, PINHEIRO IRIS, GODINHO RAQUEL, VICENTE JOAQUIN, GORTÁZAR CHRISTIAN, SCANDURA MASSIMO. Genetic diversity of wild boar populations and domestic pig breeds (Sus scrofa) in South-western Europe. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2010.01530.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Scandura M, Iacolina L, Crestanello B, Pecchioli E, Di Benedetto MF, Russo V, Davoli R, Apollonio M, Bertorelle G. Ancient vs. recent processes as factors shaping the genetic variation of the European wild boar: are the effects of the last glaciation still detectable? Mol Ecol 2008; 17:1745-62. [PMID: 18371016 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2008.03703.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The European wild boar is an important game species, subjected to local extinctions and translocations in the past, and currently enormously and worryingly expanding in some areas where management is urgently required. Understanding the relative roles of ancient and recent events in shaping the genetic structure of this species is therefore not only an interesting scientific issue, but it represents also the basis for addressing future management strategies. In addition, several pig breeds descend from the European wild boar, but the geographical location of the domestication area(s) and the possible introgression of pig genomes into wild populations are still open questions. Here, we analysed the genetic variation in different wild boar populations in Europe. Ten polymorphic microsatellites were typed in 252 wild boars and the mtDNA control region was sequenced in a subset of 145 individuals. Some samples from different pig breeds were also analysed. Our results, which were obtained considering also 612 published mtDNA sequences, suggest that (i) most populations are similarly differentiated, but the major discontinuity is found along the Alps; (ii) except for the Italian populations, European wild boars show the signature of a postglacial demographic expansion; (iii) Italian populations seem to preserve a high proportion of preglaciation diversity; (iv) the demographic decline which occurred in some areas in the last few centuries did not produce a noticeable reduction of genetic variation; (v) signs of human-mediated gene flow among populations are weak, although in some regions the effects of translocations are detectable and a low degree of pig introgression can be identified; (vi) the hypothesis of an independent domestication centre in Italy is not supported by our data, which in turn confirm that Central European wild boar might have represented an important source for domestic breeds. We can therefore conclude that recent human activities had a limited effect on the wild boar genetic structure. It follows that areas with high variation and differentiation represent natural reservoirs of genetic diversity to be protected avoiding translocations. In this context controlling some populations by hunting is not expected to affect significantly genetic variation in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Scandura
- Dipartimento di Zoologia e Genetica Evoluzionistica, Università di Sassari, via Muroni 25, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
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Funk SM, Verma SK, Larson G, Prasad K, Singh L, Narayan G, Fa JE. The pygmy hog is a unique genus: 19th century taxonomists got it right first time round. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2007; 45:427-36. [PMID: 17905601 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2007.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2006] [Revised: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 08/08/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The pygmy hog, Sus salvanius, the smallest and rarest extant suid was first described as the only member of the genus Porcula. It is currently regarded as member of the genus Sus and a sister taxon of the domestic pig/Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). Phylogenetic analyses of 2316 bp from three mtDNA loci (control-region, cytochrome b, 16S) by Bayesian inference and statistical testing of alternative phylogenetic hypotheses all support the original classification of the pygmy hog as a unique genus. Thus, we propose that the species name Porcula salvania should be resurrected. The reclassification will heighten awareness of the need for the future protection and survival of this unique species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan M Funk
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Islands, UK
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16
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Berger EM, Leus K, Vercammen P, Schwarzenberger F. Faecal steroid metabolites for non-invasive assessment of reproduction in common warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus), red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus) and babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). Anim Reprod Sci 2006; 91:155-71. [PMID: 15876499 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2004] [Revised: 02/28/2005] [Accepted: 03/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to analyse faecal steroid metabolites in African and South East Asian pig species kept in European zoos. Species studied were the warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), the red river hog (Potamochoerus porcus) and the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa). Faecal samples were collected 1-3 times per week from non-pregnant and pregnant captive female warthogs (n = 9), red river hogs (n = 7) and babirusas (n = 5). Enzyme-immunoassays for faecal progesterone, androgen, and oestrogen metabolites, were tested for their ability to determine follicular and luteal phases. In all three species, oestrous cycles could be monitored with 20alpha-OH- and 20-oxo-pregnane assays. In contrast, oestrogens and androgens were not useful in characterising follicular activity during the oestrous cycle in any species. Faecal 20alpha-OH- and 20-oxo-pregnane values were significantly correlated. Faecal pregnane concentrations revealed species-specific differences. Luteal phase values of 20alpha-OH-pregnanes were considerably higher than 20-oxo-pregnanes; 20alpha-OH-pregnanes were in the range of 3-10 microg/g in warthogs and red river hogs, whereas concentrations were 30-200 microg/g faeces in the babirusa. Regular oestrus cycles had a length of about 35 days in all three species studied. Results indicated a seasonal influence on the occurrence of reproductive cycles in the warthog with anoestrous periods in the European summer. The red river hog was found to be a seasonal and poly oestrous breeder; oestrus cycles started by January and continued until summer. In contrast, the babirusa showed non-seasonal ovarian cyclicity. In pregnant red river hogs, progesterone metabolites were comparable to luteal phase values of the oestrous cycle during the first 3 months of gestation, but did further increase during the last month of pregnancy. Oestrogens and 17-oxo-androstanes were significantly elevated during the second half of gestation. In summary, the reproductive biology of three exotic pig species was studied using non-invasive faecal steroid analysis and these methods were used for comparative investigations of oestrous cycles, pregnancy and seasonality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Berger
- Department of Natural Sciences - Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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Price SA, Bininda-Emonds ORP, Gittleman JL. A complete phylogeny of the whales, dolphins and even-toed hoofed mammals (Cetartiodactyla). Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2005; 80:445-73. [PMID: 16094808 DOI: 10.1017/s1464793105006743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite the biological and economic importance of the Cetartiodactyla, the phylogeny of this clade remains controversial. Using the supertree approach of matrix representation with parsimony, we present the first phylogeny to include all 290 extant species of the Cetacea (whales and dolphins) and Artiodactyla (even-toed hoofed mammals). At the family-level, the supertree is fully resolved. For example, the relationships among the Ruminantia appear as (((Cervidae, Moschidae) Bovidae) (Giraffidae, Antilocapridae) Tragulidae). However, due to either lack of phylogenetic study or contradictory information, polytomies occur within the clades Sus, Muntiacus, Cervus, Delphinidae, Ziphiidae and Bovidae. Complete species-level phylogenies are necessary for both illustrating and analysing biological, geographical and ecological patterns in an evolutionary framework. The present species-level tree of the Cetartiodactyla provides the first opportunity to examine comparative hypotheses across entirely aquatic and terrestrial species within a single mammalian order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Price
- Department of Biology, Gilmer Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4328, USA.
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