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Published on: September 22, 2020
Multiple Asian pig origins revealed through genomic analyses
Erin S Luetkemeier1, Monika Sodhi, Lawrence B Schook
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, 374 Edward R. Madigan Lab, 1201 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
|November 11, 2009
Summary
European and Asian pigs have distinct origins. European domestic pigs stem from a single ancestral lineage, while Asian pigs show multiple ancestral origins, confirmed by microsatellite and mtDNA analyses.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Animal Science
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies suggest multiple domestication events for European and Asian pig populations.
- Investigating distinct ancestral origins within regional domestic pig populations is crucial for understanding pig domestication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if domestic pig populations originated from distinct ancestors within Europe and Asia.
- To differentiate between European and Asian pig ancestries using genomic and mtDNA data.
Main Methods:
- Genomic analysis using 21 microsatellite markers (MS) across the pig genome.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region sequencing.
- Phylogenetic and principal component analyses.
Main Results:
- Wild boar populations exhibited higher heterozygosity than domestic breeds.
- Microsatellite and mtDNA analyses revealed distinct European and Asian pig population clusters.
- Asian populations comprised three distinct genetic groups, suggesting multiple Asian ancestral origins.
- European domestic breeds clustered tightly, indicating a single European ancestral lineage.
Conclusions:
- European domestic pig populations likely originated from a single ancestral lineage.
- Asian domestic pig populations appear to have multiple distinct ancestral origins.
- Combined microsatellite and mtDNA analyses provide robust insights into pig domestication history.
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