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Journal of molecular evolution1987; 25(4); 283-287; doi: 10.1007/BF02603111

Mitochondrial DNA of the extinct quagga: relatedness and extent of postmortem change.

Abstract: Sequences are reported for portions of two mitochondrial genes from a domestic horse and a plains zebra and compared to those published for a quagga and a mountain zebra. The extinct quagga and plains zebra sequences are identical at all silent sites, whereas the horse sequence differs from both of them by 11 silent substitutions. Postmortem changes in quagga DNA may account for the two coding substitutions between the quagga and plains zebra sequences. The hypothesis that the closest relative of the quagga is the domestic horse receives no support from these data. From the extent of sequence divergence between horse and zebra mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs), as well as from information about the fossil record, we estimate that the mean rate of mtDNA divergence in Equus is similar to that in other mammals, i.e., roughly 2% per million years.
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Publication Date: 1987-01-01 PubMed ID: 2822938DOI: 10.1007/BF02603111Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
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  • U.S. Gov't
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  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

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.

The research outlines the analysis of mitochondrial DNA of the extinct quagga, comparing it to the genes of a domestic horse and a plains zebra. The results show no major differences between the quagga and plains zebra and also dismiss the hypothesis that the quagga is closely related to the domestic horse.

Comparison of Mitochondrial Gene Sequences

  • The researchers reported sequences for two mitochondrial genes from a domestic horse and a plains zebra.
  • These sequences were then compared to those already available for an extinct quagga and a mountain zebra.
  • The results show that the sequences of the extinct quagga and the plains zebra are identical at all silent sites (areas of the DNA sequence that don’t produce observable change).
  • On the other hand, the horse’s sequence differed by 11 silent substitutions – variations in the DNA sequence that does not affect the phenotype.

Postmortem Changes and Hypotheses

  • There were two coding substitutions between the quagga and plains zebra sequences. The researchers postulate that these differences may be due to postmortem changes in the quagga’s DNA.
  • The research also dismisses a previous hypothesis suggesting the closest relative of the quagga is the domestic horse.
  • These inferences are drawn from the data obtained, which shows significantly greater differences between the quagga and the horse’s sequences compared to those between the quagga and the zebra.

Rate of Mitochondrial DNA Divergence in Equus

  • Based on the extent of sequence divergence between horse and zebra mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs), as well as data about the fossil record, the researchers estimated the rate of mtDNA divergence in Equus (genus that includes horses, donkeys, and zebras).
  • The rate of mtDNA divergence in the genus Equus was found to be roughly in line with that estimated in other mammals, approximately 2% per million years.

Cite This Article

APA
Higuchi RG, Wrischnik LA, Oakes E, George M, Tong B, Wilson AC. (1987). Mitochondrial DNA of the extinct quagga: relatedness and extent of postmortem change. J Mol Evol, 25(4), 283-287. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02603111

Publication

Journal of molecular evolution
ISSN: 0022-2844
NlmUniqueID: 0360051
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 4
Pages: 283-287

Researcher Affiliations

Higuchi, R G
  • Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Wrischnik, L A
    Oakes, E
      George, M
        Tong, B
          Wilson, A C

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Base Sequence
            • Biological Evolution
            • Cattle / genetics
            • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
            • Electron Transport Complex IV / genetics
            • Genes
            • Horses / genetics
            • Molecular Sequence Data
            • NADH Dehydrogenase / genetics
            • Paleontology
            • Perissodactyla / genetics
            • Postmortem Changes
            • Species Specificity

            Grant Funding

            • GM-21509 / NIGMS NIH HHS

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