Relationship between wild greylag and European domestic geese based on mitochondrial DNA

The origins of the European domestic goose are uncertain. The available information comes from archaeological findings and historical literature, but genetic evidence has hitherto been scarce. The domestic goose in Europe is derived from the greylag goose (Anser anser), but it is not known where the initial domestication took place and which of the two subspecies of greylag goose was ancestral. We aimed to determine the amount and geographical distribution of genetic diversity in modern populations of greylag geese as well as in different breeds of the domestic goose to make inferences about goose domestication. We studied DNA sequence variation in the mitochondrial control region of greylag geese from multiple populations across Europe and western Asia as well as specimens of domestic geese representing 18 modern breeds and individuals not belonging to any recognised breed. Our results show notable differences in genetic diversity between different greylag goose populations and the presence of six mitochondrial haplogroups which show a degree of geographical partitioning. The genetic diversity of the domestic goose is low, with 84% of sampled individuals having one of two major closely related haplotypes, suggesting that modern European domestic geese may derive from a narrow genetic base. The site of domestication remains unresolved, but domestic geese in Turkey were unusually diverse, indicating the importance of further sampling in the vicinity of the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East. There appears to be past or ongoing hybridisation between greylags and domestic geese in particular areas, consistent with field observations.     

Transmission of Neospora caninum between wild and domestic animals

To determine whether deer can transmit Neospora caninum, brains of naturally infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were fed to 4 dogs; 2 of these dogs shed oocysts. Oocysts from 1 of the dogs were tested by polymerase chain reaction and found to be positive for N. caninum and negative for Hammondia heydorni. The internal transcribed spacer 1 sequence of the new strain (designated NC-deer1) was identical to N. caninum from domestic animals, indicating that N. caninum is transmitted between wild and domestic animals, often enough to prevent divergent evolution of isolated populations of the parasite. NC-deerl oocysts were administered to a calf that developed a high antibody titer, providing evidence that N. caninum from wildlife can infect cattle. In addition, N. caninum antibody seroprevalence was detected in 64/164 (39%) free-ranging gray wolves (Canis lupus), 12/113 (11%) coyotes (Canis latrans), 50/193 (26%) white-tailed deer, and 8/61 (13%) moose (Alces alces). These data are consistent with a sylvatic transmission cycle of N. caninum between cervids and canids. We speculate that hunting by humans favors the transmission of N. caninum from deer to canids, because deer carcasses are usually eviscerated in the field. Infection of canids in turn increases the risk of transmitting the parasite to domestic livestock.     

A comparison of cardiac glutathione S-transferases from wild and domestic animals

1. Cardiac glutathione S-transferases from wild animals; hyena, red fox, porcupine, coypu and mountain gazelle were purified and compared with the enzymes from domestic animals; cow, camel, goat and sheep. 2. By using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as a substrate, domestic hearts expressed higher glutathione conjugating activity than wild animals hearts. 3. In all the studied hearts, the bulk of the activity was associated with near neutral and acidic glutathione S-transferase isozymes with pI values ranging from 4 to 7.4. 4. The enzymes from domestic animals displayed homodimeric structure of 25,000 mol. wt subunit while of the wild animals both hyena and coypu displayed homodimers of 26,500 mol. wt subunit and the rest exhibited heterodimers of 25,000 and 28,000 mol. wt subunits.     

Reproductive behaviour in survival: a comparison between wild and domestic sheep

The recorded behaviour of wild species of Ovis at the beginning of the breeding season supports the proposal that mating is synchronized by the 'ram effect', a phenomenon already described in domestic sheep. Animals separate into exclusive male flocks, and flocks of females and young animals for most of the year. They reunite just before the rutting season. At lambing there appear to be behavioural mechanisms that ensure that ewes lamb in close proximity to one another. It is hypothesized that these behavioural characteristics of wild sheep help protect the newborn and that much of the reproductive and maternal behaviour of domestic sheep may be traced to comparable behaviour in wild species.     

Phylogeographical analyses of domestic and wild yaks based on mitochondrial DNA: new data and reappraisal

Aim We aimed to examine the phylogeographical structure and demographic history of domestic and wild yaks (Bos grunniens) based on a wide range of samples and complete mitochondrial genomic sequences. Location The Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) of western China. Methods All available D‐loop sequences for 405 domesticated yaks and 47 wild yaks were examined, including new sequences from 96 domestic and 34 wild yaks. We further sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of 48 domesticated and 21 wild yaks. Phylogeographical analyses were performed using the mitochondrial D‐loop and the total genome datasets. Results We recovered a total of 123 haplotypes based on the D‐loop sequences in wild and domestic yaks. Phylogenetic analyses of this dataset and the mitochondrial genome data suggested three well‐supported and divergent lineages. Two lineages with six D‐loop haplogroups were recovered for all morphological breeds of domestic yaks across their distributions in the QTP, while one more lineage and more endemic haplogroups or haplotypes were found for wild yaks. Based on the mitochondrial genome data, the divergences of the three lineages were estimated to have occurred around 420,000 and 580,000 years ago, consistent with the geological records of two large glaciation events experienced in the QTP. Main conclusions There are distinct phylogeographical differences between wild and domestic yaks. However, there is no apparent geographical correlation between identified haplogroups and distributions of domestic yaks. Three differentiated lineages of yaks probably evolved allopatrically in different regions during the Pleistocene glaciation events, then reunited into a single gene pool during post‐glacial population expansion and migrations before the start of the domestication of yaks in the Holocene.     

Variation in mitochondrial DNA of Vietnamese pigs: relationships with Asian domestic pigs and Ryukyu wild boars

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences (574 bp) of 30 Vietnamese pigs (large and small) were examined and compared with those of 61 haplotypes from wild boars and domestic pigs from various locations in Asia. The large Vietnamese pigs had genetic links to Ryukyu wild boars in southern Japan. The small Vietnamese pigs were closely related to other East Asian domestic pigs. These results indicate that Vietnamese pigs are genetically diverse and may be descendents of wild and domestic pigs from other regions of Asia.     

Toxoplasma gondii in wild and domestic animals from New Caledonia

Samples (serum or meat juice) collected from 205 animals in New Caledonia in April 2009 were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA using the multi-species ID Screen^® Toxoplasmosis Indirect kit (IDVET, Montpellier). Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 2% (1/49) of the pigs, in 3.3% (1/30) of the cattle, in 13.8% (4/29) of Rusa deers, in 16% (4/25) of the horses, in 32.8% (21/64) of the dogs, and in 50% (4/8) of cats. Statistically, no significant difference was observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and age or sex. No survey on the prevalence of T. gondii in animals has ever been conducted in New Caledonia and this is the first serological evidence of T. gondii in Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa). These results indicate an important circulation of T. gondii exists in the animal populations of New Caledonia. In view of humans being exposed, it is advisable to insist on sanitary education and on respect for good hygienic and food practice.     

Multi-locus analysis reveals a different pattern of genetic diversity for mitochondrial and nuclear DNA between wild and domestic pigs in East Asia

Background

A major reduction of genetic diversity in mtDNA occurred during the domestication of East Asian pigs. However, the extent to which genetic diversity has been lost in the nuclear genome is uncertain. To reveal levels and patterns of nucleotide diversity and to elucidate the genetic relationships and demographic history of domestic pigs and their ancestors, wild boars, we investigated 14 nuclear markers (including 8 functional genes, 2 pseudogenes and 4 intergenic regions) from 11 different chromosomes in East Asia-wide samples and pooled them with previously obtained mtDNA data for a combined analysis.

Principal Findings

The results indicated that domestic pigs and wild boars possess comparable levels of nucleotide diversity across the nuclear genome, which is inconsistent with patterns that have been found in mitochondrial genome.

Conclusions

This incongruence between the mtDNA and nuclear genomes is suggestive of a large-scale backcross between male wild boars and female domestic pigs in East Asia. Our data reveal the impacts of founder effects and backcross on the pig genome and help us better understand the complex demographic histories of East Asian pigs, which will be useful for future work on artificial selection.     

High mitochondrial differentiation levels between wild and domestic Bactrian camels: a basis for rapid detection of maternal hybridization

Hybridization between wild species and their domestic congeners often threatens the gene pool of the wild species. The last wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) populations in Mongolia and China are examples of populations facing such a hybridization threat. To address this key issue in the conservation of wild camels, we analysed wild, hybrid and domestic Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) originating from Mongolia, China and Austria. Through screening of an 804‐base‐pair mitochondrial fragment, we identified eight mitochondrial haplotypes and found high sequence divergence (1.9%) between C. ferus and C. bactrianus. On the basis of a mitochondrial DNA sequence fixed difference, we developed a diagnostic PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay to differentiate between wild and domestic camel samples. We applied the assay to 81 individuals and confirmed the origin of all samples including five hybrids with known maternal ancestry. The PCR‐RFLP system was effective for both traditional (blood, skin) and non‐invasive samples (faeces, hair), as well as for museum specimens. Our results demonstrate high levels of mitochondrial differentiation between wild and domestic Bactrian camels and that maternal hybridization can be detected by a rapid and reliable PCR‐RFLP system.     

Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in domestic and wild animals from central Italy

From January 2004 to July 2007, 2455 sera were collected from domestic and wild animals living in central Italy and tested by indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Considering sera with 1:40 antibody titers as positive, 336 (13.68%) animals scored positive. The percentages of seropositivity were: 46.26% (31/67) in fallow deer, 46.15% (24/52) in red deer, 16.89% (134/793) in horses, 16.78% (23/137) in cattle, 12.74% (13/102) in sheep, 8.76% (108/1232) in dogs, 4.16% (3/72) in goats. These data confirm the presence of A. phagocytophilum in wild ruminants and domestic animals, including pets, in central Italy.     

中国部分家养山羊mtDNA D环区遗传多样性与进化

对我国10个家养山羊品种140只个体的mtDNA D-loop区进行测序分析, 测得结果: 整个D-loop区为 1 211~1 213 bp, 共检测到84种单倍型, 171个多态位点。其中核苷酸多样性(Nucleotide diversity, Pi)为: 0.02063 ± 0.00225, 单倍型多样性(Haplotype gene diversity, Hd)为: 0.988 ± 0.003, 平均核苷酸差异数(Average number of nucleotide differences) k为: 24.896。表明我国家养山羊品种遗传多样性丰富。通过构建NJ网络进化树, 得出中国家养山羊主要分为两大支系, 并且其中一支与角骨羊(Capra aegagrus)聚在一起, 而旋角野山羊(Capra fal-coneri)单独聚为一支, 说明角骨羊对中国家养山羊贡献较大。