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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Evol Biol / Ancient DNA provides new insight into the maternal lineages ...
BMC evolutionary biology2014; 14; 246; doi: 10.1186/s12862-014-0246-4

Ancient DNA provides new insight into the maternal lineages and domestication of Chinese donkeys.

Abstract: The donkey (Equus asinus) is an important domestic animal that provides a reliable source of protein and method of transportation for many human populations. However, the process of domestication and the dispersal routes of the Chinese donkey are still unclear, as donkey remains are sparse in the archaeological record and often confused with horse remains. To explore the maternal origins and dispersal route of Chinese donkeys, both mitochondrial DNA D-loop and cytochrome b gene fragments of 21 suspected donkey remains from four archaeological sites in China were amplified and sequenced. Results: Molecular methods of species identification show that 17 specimens were donkeys and three samples had the maternal genetic signature of horses. One sample that dates to about 20,000 years before present failed to amplify. In this study, the phylogenetic analysis reveals that ancient Chinese donkeys have high mitochondrial DNA diversity and two distinct mitochondrial maternal lineages, known as the Somali and Nubian lineages. These results indicate that the maternal origin of Chinese domestic donkeys was probably related to the African wild ass, which includes the Nubian wild ass (Equus africanus africanus) and the Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis). Combined with historical records, the results of this study implied that domestic donkeys spread into west and north China before the emergence of the Han dynasty. The number of Chinese domestic donkeys had increased primarily to meet demand for the expansion of trade, and they were likely used as commodities or for shipping goods along the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty, when the Silk Road reached its golden age. Conclusions: This study is the first to provide valuable ancient animal DNA evidence for early trade between African and Asian populations. The ancient DNA analysis of Chinese donkeys also sheds light on the dynamic process of the maternal origin, domestication, and dispersal route of ancient Chinese donkeys.
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Publication Date: 2014-11-30 PubMed ID: 25433485PubMed Central: PMC4263014DOI: 10.1186/s12862-014-0246-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses a study analysing ancient DNA to better understand the maternal lineages and the process of domestication of Chinese donkeys.

Objective of the Research

  • The objective of this study was to gain insights into the maternal origins and dispersal routes of Chinese donkeys. This was achieved through the sequencing and amplification of mitochondrial DNA D-loop and cytochrome b gene fragments from 21 suspected donkey remains from four archaeological sites in China.

Research Results

  • The application of molecular methods in species identification showed that out of the 21 samples, 17 were donkeys and three had the genetic signature of horses. One sample, which was approximately 20,000 years old, failed to amplify.
  • The phylogenetic analysis unveiled that ancient Chinese donkeys exhibited high mitochondrial DNA diversity and displayed two distinct maternal lineages: the Somali and Nubian lineages. This signifies that the maternal origin of Chinese domestic donkeys is likely connected to the African wild ass, including the Nubian (Equus africanus africanus) and Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis).
  • When the above results were combined with historical data, the conclusion was that domestic donkeys started spreading into Western and Northern China even before the emergence of the Han Dynasty. The exponential increase in the count of Chinese domestic donkeys primarily occurred to meet the growing demand for trade expansion. The donkeys were used for transporting goods along the Silk Road, especially during the Tang Dynasty, the golden age of the Silk Road.

Conclusions from the Research

  • This study is the first of its kind to use ancient animal DNA to provide significant evidence of early trade between African and Asian populations. The ancient DNA analysis of Chinese donkeys also played a crucial role in understanding the complex process regarding the maternal origin, domestication, and dispersal routes of ancient Chinese donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Han L, Zhu S, Ning C, Cai D, Wang K, Chen Q, Hu S, Yang J, Shao J, Zhu H, Zhou H. (2014). Ancient DNA provides new insight into the maternal lineages and domestication of Chinese donkeys. BMC Evol Biol, 14, 246. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-014-0246-4

Publication

BMC evolutionary biology
ISSN: 1471-2148
NlmUniqueID: 100966975
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Pages: 246

Researcher Affiliations

Han, Lu
  • Key-Lab for Evolution of Past Life and Environment in Northeast Asia, Jilin University, Ministry of Education, Changchun, 130012, PR China. luhan@jlu.edu.cn.
  • Ancient DNA Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. luhan@jlu.edu.cn.
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. luhan@jlu.edu.cn.
Zhu, Songbiao
  • Ancient DNA Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. songbiao_zhu@163.com.
Ning, Chao
  • Ancient DNA Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. ningchao.jlu@gmail.com.
Cai, Dawei
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. caidw@jlu.edu.cn.
Wang, Kai
  • Ancient DNA Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. fallenanglewk@163.com.
Chen, Quanjia
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. chenquanjia123@163.com.
Hu, Songmei
  • Archaeological Research Institute of Shaanxi Province, Xi' an, 710054, PR China. husongmei@sina.com.
Yang, Junkai
  • Institute for Archaeology and Relic Conservation of Xi' an, Xi' an, 710068, PR China. 617084336@qq.com.
Shao, Jing
  • Archaeological Research Institute of Shaanxi Province, Xi' an, 710054, PR China. shaojing-0521@163.com.
Zhu, Hong
  • Key-Lab for Evolution of Past Life and Environment in Northeast Asia, Jilin University, Ministry of Education, Changchun, 130012, PR China. zhuhong@jlu.edu.cn.
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. zhuhong@jlu.edu.cn.
Zhou, Hui
  • Key-Lab for Evolution of Past Life and Environment in Northeast Asia, Jilin University, Ministry of Education, Changchun, 130012, PR China. zhouhui@jlu.edu.cn.
  • Ancient DNA Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. zhouhui@jlu.edu.cn.
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China. zhouhui@jlu.edu.cn.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Archaeology
  • China
  • Cytochromes b / genetics
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / analysis
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Equidae / classification
  • Equidae / genetics
  • Horses / genetics
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny

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