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Home / Equine Research Bank / Mol Ecol Resour / The case of an arctic wild ass highlights the utility of anc...
Molecular ecology resources2020; 20(5); 1182-1190; doi: 10.1111/1755-0998.13130

The case of an arctic wild ass highlights the utility of ancient DNA for validating problematic identifications in museum collections.

Abstract: Museum collections are essential for reconstructing and understanding past biodiversity. Many museum specimens are, however, challenging to identify. Museum samples may be incomplete, have an unusual morphology, or represent juvenile individuals, all of which complicate accurate identification. In some cases, inaccurate identification can lead to false biogeographic reconstructions with cascading impacts on paleontological and paleoecological research. Here, we analyzed an unusual Equid mandible found in the Far North of the Taymyr peninsula that was identified morphologically as Equus hemionus, an ancestor of present-day Asiatic wild asses. If correct, this identification represents the only finding of a putative Late Pleistocene hemione in the Arctic region, and is therefore critical to understanding wild ass evolution and paleoecology. To confirm the accuracy of this specimen's taxonomic assignment, we used ancient DNA and mitochondrial hybridization capture to identify and place this specimen in the larger equid phylogeny. We find that the specimen is actually a member of E. caballus, the ancestor of domestic horses. Our study demonstrates the utility of ancient DNA to validate morphological identification, in particular of incomplete, otherwise problematic, or taxonomically unusual museum specimens.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-01-22 PubMed ID: 31869520DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13130Google 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.

The research article centers around identifying the nature of an unusual Equid mandible found in the Taymyr peninsula using ancient DNA to validate problematic identifications in museum collections, concluding that the specimen is actually a member of E. caballus, the ancestor of domestic horses.

Importance of Museum Collections

  • The article discusses the importance of museum collections in reconstructing and understanding past biodiversity. These collections comprising different specimens provide scientists with significant data about different species across various timelines.
  • However, the correct identification of these specimens can often be a challenge due to several reasons such as incomplete samples, unusual morphology, or the specimens representing juvenile individuals. Misidentification can lead to incorrect biological reconstructions having a significant impact on paleontological and paleoecological research.

The Case of Unusual Equid Mandible

  • The research focuses on an unusual Equid mandible found in the Far North of the Taymyr peninsula. Morphologically, it was identified as belonging to Equus hemionus, the ancestor of present-day Asiatic wild asses.
  • If this identification were correct, it would represent a significant discovery, being the only finding of a presumed Late Pleistocene hemione (a type of wild ass) in the Arctic region, proving crucial to deciphering the evolution and paleoecology of wild asses.

Using Ancient DNA

  • To validate the taxonomic assignment of the specimen, the researchers performed ancient DNA analysis and mitochondrial hybridization capture. This method helped them analyze and pinpoint the specimen’s correct positioning within broader equid phylogeny (the evolutionary development and diversification of a species).
  • The findings revealed that the specimen was not of an Asiatic wild ass but was instead a member of E. caballus – the ancestor of domestic horses.

Conclusions from the Study

  • The research serves as a prime example demonstrating the utility and value of ancient DNA analysis to validate morphological identifications, particularly for incomplete, problematic, or taxonomically unusual museum specimens.
  • The study implies significant implications for future research, suggesting a need to verify current morphological identifications, especially for unusual or otherwise problematic specimens, using genetic analysis wherever possible.

Cite This Article

APA
Vershinina AO, Kapp JD, Baryshnikov GF, Shapiro B. (2020). The case of an arctic wild ass highlights the utility of ancient DNA for validating problematic identifications in museum collections. Mol Ecol Resour, 20(5), 1182-1190. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13130

Publication

Molecular ecology resources
ISSN: 1755-0998
NlmUniqueID: 101465604
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 5
Pages: 1182-1190

Researcher Affiliations

Vershinina, Alisa O
  • Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
Kapp, Joshua D
  • Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
Baryshnikov, Gennady F
  • Laboratory of Theriology, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Shapiro, Beth
  • Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Ancient
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • Equidae / genetics
  • Museums
  • Phylogeny

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Hong JH, Oh CS, Kim S, Kang IU, Shin DH. Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA from ancient Equus caballus bones found at archaeological site of Joseon dynasty period capital area.. Anim Biosci 2022 Aug;35(8):1141-1150.
    doi: 10.5713/ab.21.0500pubmed: 35240033google scholar: lookup
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