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Home / Equine Research Bank / Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A / Revising the recent evolutionary history of equids using anc...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America2009; 106(51); 21754-21759; doi: 10.1073/pnas.0903672106

Revising the recent evolutionary history of equids using ancient DNA.

Abstract: The rich fossil record of the family Equidae (Mammalia: Perissodactyla) over the past 55 MY has made it an icon for the patterns and processes of macroevolution. Despite this, many aspects of equid phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy remain unresolved. Recent genetic analyses of extinct equids have revealed unexpected evolutionary patterns and a need for major revisions at the generic, subgeneric, and species levels. To investigate this issue we examine 35 ancient equid specimens from four geographic regions (South America, Europe, Southwest Asia, and South Africa), of which 22 delivered 87-688 bp of reproducible aDNA mitochondrial sequence. Phylogenetic analyses support a major revision of the recent evolutionary history of equids and reveal two new species, a South American hippidion and a descendant of a basal lineage potentially related to Middle Pleistocene equids. Sequences from specimens assigned to the giant extinct Cape zebra, Equus capensis, formed a separate clade within the modern plain zebra species, a phenotypicically plastic group that also included the extinct quagga. In addition, we revise the currently recognized extinction times for two hemione-related equid groups. However, it is apparent that the current dataset cannot solve all of the taxonomic and phylogenetic questions relevant to the evolution of Equus. In light of these findings, we propose a rapid DNA barcoding approach to evaluate the taxonomic status of the many Late Pleistocene fossil Equidae species that have been described from purely morphological analyses.
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Publication Date: 2009-12-09 PubMed ID: 20007379PubMed Central: PMC2799835DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0903672106Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 explores the recent evolutionary history of the equid family, which includes horses and similar mammals. Using ancient DNA extracted from fossils, the researchers have found unexpected evolutionary patterns and two new species of equids, revising our understanding of this family’s history.

Understanding Equid Evolution Through Ancient DNA

  • The researchers examined the DNA extracted from fossils of 35 ancient equid specimens found in four different regions: South America, Europe, Southwest Asia, and South Africa.
  • Out of these samples, 22 provided between 87 and 688 base pairs of reproducible ancient DNA (aDNA) sequences from the mitochondrial DNA, which can provide insight into maternal lineage.
  • Through phylogenetic analysis (examining the relationship between different species), they identified two previously unknown equid species, a new South American variety of Hippidion (an extinct genus of horse) and another descendant of a basal lineage potentially related to Middle Pleistocene-era equids.

Revising Taxonomy and Extinction Timelines

  • The DNA from specimens of the extinct Cape zebra, known as Equus capensis, was found to form a separate clade within the modern plains zebra species, showing an unexpected relationship between these two groups. This clade also included the extinct quagga, suggesting that this group of zebras was more adaptable and varied than previously thought (termed ‘phenotypic plasticity’).
  • The research also revised previously accepted extinction timelines for two related equid groups, showing the value of aDNA in rectifying and updating historical records.

Proposition of a Rapid DNA Barcoding Approach

  • The researchers acknowledge that despite their findings, the current dataset is not able to answer all questions related to equid evolution and taxonomy. To assist in resolving this, they propose a rapid DNA barcoding approach.
  • This would involve quickly sequencing the DNA of various Late Pleistocene fossil equids that have been identified solely through morphological analysis (studying shape and form) to verify their taxonomic status. Such an approach could help clarify complex evolutionary and taxonomic questions.

Cite This Article

APA
Orlando L, Metcalf JL, Alberdi MT, Telles-Antunes M, Bonjean D, Otte M, Martin F, Eisenmann V, Mashkour M, Morello F, Prado JL, Salas-Gismondi R, Shockey BJ, Wrinn PJ, Vasil'ev SK, Ovodov ND, Cherry MI, Hopwood B, Male D, Austin JJ, Hänni C, Cooper A. (2009). Revising the recent evolutionary history of equids using ancient DNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 106(51), 21754-21759. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0903672106

Publication

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
ISSN: 1091-6490
NlmUniqueID: 7505876
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 106
Issue: 51
Pages: 21754-21759

Researcher Affiliations

Orlando, Ludovic
  • Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69364 Lyon Cédex 07, France. ludovic.orlando@ens-lyon.fr
Metcalf, Jessica L
    Alberdi, Maria T
      Telles-Antunes, Miguel
        Bonjean, Dominique
          Otte, Marcel
            Martin, Fabiana
              Eisenmann, Véra
                Mashkour, Marjan
                  Morello, Flavia
                    Prado, Jose L
                      Salas-Gismondi, Rodolfo
                        Shockey, Bruce J
                          Wrinn, Patrick J
                            Vasil'ev, Sergei K
                              Ovodov, Nikolai D
                                Cherry, Michael I
                                  Hopwood, Blair
                                    Male, Dean
                                      Austin, Jeremy J
                                        Hänni, Catherine
                                          Cooper, Alan

                                            MeSH Terms

                                            • Animals
                                            • Biological Evolution
                                            • DNA / genetics
                                            • Fossils
                                            • Horses / classification
                                            • Horses / genetics
                                            • Molecular Sequence Data

                                            Conflict of Interest Statement

                                            The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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