Complete mitochondrial genome database and standardized classification system for Canis lupus familiaris.

To contribute to the complete mitogenome database of the species Canis lupus familiaris and shed more light on its origin, we have sequenced mitochondrial genomes of 120 modern dogs from worldwide populations. Together with all the previously published mitogenome sequences of acceptable quality, we have reconstructed a global phylogenetic tree of 555 C. l.

A survey of East Palaearctic Gnaphosidae (Araneae). 4. A review of Fedotovia Charitonov, 1946.

Fedotovia Charitonov, 1946 is a genus of Gnaphosinae earlier known to contain only two species: F. uzbekistanica Charitonov 1946 (♂♀, type species) and F. mongolica Marusik, 1993 (♀).

The genetic legacy of the expansion of Turkic-speaking nomads across Eurasia.

The Turkic peoples represent a diverse collection of ethnic groups defined by the Turkic languages. These groups have dispersed across a vast area, including Siberia, Northwest China, Central Asia, East Europe, the Caucasus, Anatolia, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. The origin and early dispersal history of the Turkic peoples is disputed, with candidates for their ancient homeland ranging from the Transcaspian steppe to Manchuria in Northeast Asia.

Mitochondrial DNA Polymerase γ Mutations and Their Implications in mtDNA Alterations in Colorectal Cancer.

Mitochondrial DNA was found to be highly mutated in colorectal cancer cells. One of the key molecules involved in the maintenance of the mitochondrial genome is the nuclear-encoded polymerase gamma. The aim of our study was to determine if there is a link between polymorphisms within the polymerase gamma gene (POLG) and somatic mutations within the mitochondrial genome in cancer cells.

A recent bottleneck of Y chromosome diversity coincides with a global change in culture.

It is commonly thought that human genetic diversity in non-African populations was shaped primarily by an out-of-Africa dispersal 50-100 thousand yr ago (kya). Here, we present a study of 456 geographically diverse high-coverage Y chromosome sequences, including 299 newly reported samples. Applying ancient DNA calibration, we date the Y-chromosomal most recent common ancestor (MRCA) in Africa at 254 (95% CI 192-307) kya and detect a cluster of major non-African founder haplogroups in a narrow time interval at 47-52 kya, consistent with a rapid initial colonization model of Eurasia and Oceania after the out-of-Africa bottleneck.

Rough-legged buzzards, Arctic foxes and red foxes in a tundra ecosystem without rodents.

Small rodents with multi-annual population cycles strongly influence the dynamics of food webs, and in particular predator-prey interactions, across most of the tundra biome. Rodents are however absent from some arctic islands, and studies on performance of arctic predators under such circumstances may be very instructive since rodent cycles have been predicted to collapse in a warming Arctic. Here we document for the first time how three normally rodent-dependent predator species-rough-legged buzzard, arctic fox and red fox - perform in a low-arctic ecosystem with no rodents.

A novel multiplex assay amplifying 13 Y-STRs characterized by rapid and moderate mutation rate.

As microsatellites located on Y chromosome mutate with different rates, they may be exploited in evolutionary studies, genealogical testing of a variety of populations and even, as proven recently, aid individual identification. Currently available commercial Y-STR kits encompass mostly low to moderately mutating loci, making them a perfect choice for the first two applications. Some attempts have been made so far to utilize Y-STRs to provide a discriminatory tool for forensic purposes.

Heteroplasmic substitutions in the entire mitochondrial genomes of human colon cells detected by ultra-deep 454 sequencing.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy has been widely described from clinical, evolutionary and analytical points of view. Historically, the majority of studies have been based on Sanger sequencing. However, next-generation sequencing technologies are now being used for heteroplasmy analysis.

A Selective Sweep on a Deleterious Mutation in CPT1A in Arctic Populations.

Arctic populations live in an environment characterized by extreme cold and the absence of plant foods for much of the year and are likely to have undergone genetic adaptations to these environmental conditions in the time they have been living there. Genome-wide selection scans based on genotype data from native Siberians have previously highlighted a 3 Mb chromosome 11 region containing 79 protein-coding genes as the strongest candidates for positive selection in Northeast Siberians. However, it was not possible to determine which of the genes might be driving the selection signal.

Western Eurasian ancestry in modern Siberians based on mitogenomic data.

Background: Although the genetic heritage of aboriginal Siberians is mostly of eastern Asian ancestry, a substantial western Eurasian component is observed in the majority of northern Asian populations. Traces of at least two migrations into southern Siberia, one from eastern Europe and the other from western Asia/the Caucasus have been detected previously in mitochondrial gene pools of modern Siberians.

Results: We report here 166 new complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences that allow us to expand and re-analyze the available data sets of western Eurasian lineages found in northern Asian populations, define the phylogenetic status of Siberian-specific subclades and search for links between mtDNA haplotypes/subclades and events of human migrations.

Simple and cost-effective 14-loci SNP assay designed for differentiation of European, East Asian and African samples.

During every criminal investigation, it is vital to extract as much information as possible from every piece of evidence. When it comes to DNA testing, simple short tandem repeat (STR) typing may soon become a relic because it is now possible to genotype more characteristics. Ancestry informative markers are receiving attention from the forensic community because individuals can be assigned to their population or territory of origin based on their analysis.

A mitogenomic phylogeny and genetic history of sable (Martes zibellina).

We assessed phylogeny of sable (Martes zibellina, Linnaeus, 1758) by sequence analysis of nearly complete, new mitochondrial genomes in 36 specimens from different localities in northern Eurasia (Primorye, Khabarovsk and Krasnoyarsk regions, the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kuril Islands and the Urals). Phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequences demonstrates that two clades, A and BC, radiated about 200-300 thousandyears ago (kya) according to results of Bayesian molecular clock and RelTime analyses of different mitogenome alignments (nearly complete mtDNA sequences, protein-coding region, and synonymous sites), while the age estimates of clades A, B and C fall within the Late Pleistocene (~50-140 kya). Bayesian skyline plots (BSPs) of sable population size change based on analysis of nearly complete mtDNAs show an expansion around 40 kya in the warm Karganian time, without a decline of population size around the Last Glacial Maximum (21 kya).

Genome-wide analysis of cold adaptation in indigenous Siberian populations.

Following the dispersal out of Africa, where hominins evolved in warm environments for millions of years, our species has colonised different climate zones of the world, including high latitudes and cold environments. The extent to which human habitation in (sub-)Arctic regions has been enabled by cultural buffering, short-term acclimatization and genetic adaptations is not clearly understood. Present day indigenous populations of Siberia show a number of phenotypic features, such as increased basal metabolic rate, low serum lipid levels and increased blood pressure that have been attributed to adaptation to the extreme cold climate.

Complete mitochondrial DNA diversity in Iranians.

Due to its pivotal geographical location and proximity to transcontinental migratory routes, Iran has played a key role in subsequent migrations, both prehistoric and historic, between Africa, Asia and Europe. To shed light on the genetic structure of the Iranian population as well as on the expansion patterns and population movements which affected this region, the complete mitochondrial genomes of 352 Iranians were obtained. All Iranian populations studied here exhibit similarly high diversity values comparable to the other groups from the Caucasus, Anatolia and Europe.

Morpho-functional characteristics of the scolex of Wardium chaunense (Cestoda: Aploparaksidae) penetrated into host intestine.

The scoleces of Wardium chaunense penetrated into the intestinal wall of a snipe (Gallinago gallinago) were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy for the first time. Naturally, the scolex is characterised by a shorter length in comparison with when it is removed from the host. Ultrastructural characteristics of the main parts of the scolex, such as suckers, rostellum and rostellar sac are reported.

Y-chromosome diversity in the Kalmyks at the ethnical and tribal levels.

The Mongolic-speaking Kalmyks currently inhabiting the steppes of the Volga region have Central Asian ancestry and are organized into the tribal groups. The genetic relationships among these tribes and their origin have remained obscure. We analyzed 17 short tandem repeat and 44 binary polymorphisms of Y-chromosome in 426 individuals mainly from three major tribes of the Kalmyks (the Torguuds, Dörwöds and Khoshuuds).

Phylogenetic relationships among Neoechinorhynchus species (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from North-East Asia based on molecular data.

Phylogenetic and statistical analyses of DNA sequences of two genes, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) of the mitochondrial DNA and 18S subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), was used to characterize Neoechinorhynchus species from fishes collected in different localities of North-East Asia. It has been found that four species can be clearly recognized using molecular markers-Neoechinorhynchus tumidus, Neoechinorhynchus beringianus, Neoechinorhynchus simansularis and Neoechinorhynchus salmonis. 18S sequences ascribed to Neoechinorhynchus crassus specimens from North-East Asia were identical to those of N.

Origination of a separate form of Neoechinorhynchus salmonis Ching, 1984 (Acanthocephales: Neoechinorhynchidae) in severe environment of the Asian Arctic.

Previous morphological research has shown that the species Neoechinorhynchus salmonis, first described from Canada, is also widespread in the northern Asia, in different climatic zones. Analysis of data from samples collected in various parts of its area of distribution leads to a conclusion about the existing two life forms of this species, namely temperate and polar ones. The specimens of the latter at the adult stage develop at far greater rate and reach maturity being smaller in size.

Phylogeny and genetic history of the Siberian salamander (Salamandrella keyserlingii, Dybowski, 1870) inferred from complete mitochondrial genomes.

We assessed phylogeny of the Siberian salamander (Salamandrella keyserlingii, Dybowski, 1870), the most northern ectothermic, terrestrial vertebrate in Eurasia, by sequence analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes in 26 specimens from different localities (China, Khabarovsk region, Sakhalin, Yakutia, Magadan region, Chukotka, Kamchatka, Ural, European part of Russia). In addition, a complete mitochondrial genome of the Schrenck salamander, Salamandrella schrenckii, was determined for the first time. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of the entire mtDNA genomes of S.

Y-chromosome variation in Tajiks and Iranians.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to characterize Y-chromosome diversity in Tajiks from Tajikistan and in Persians and Kurds from Iran.

Method: Y-chromosome haplotypes were identified in 40 Tajiks, 77 Persians and 25 Kurds, using 12 short tandem repeats (STR) and 18 binary markers.

Results: High genetic diversity was observed in the populations studied.

Ultrastructure of the cercomer of the metacestode Microsomacanthus paraparvula Regel, 1994 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae).

Investigations were undertaken using light and transmission electron microscopy to clearly delineate the morphology of the cercomer, i.e. the protective envelopes and tail appendage, in cysticercoids of Microsomacanthus paraparvula, which develop in the haemocoel of the caddisworm Grensia praeterita (Insecta: Trichoptera).