Complex admixture preceded and followed the extinction of wisent in the wild

Retracing complex population processes that precede extreme bottlenecks may be impossible using data from living individuals. The wisent (Bison bonasus), Europe’s largest terrestrial mammal, exemplifies such a population history, having gone extinct in the wild but subsequently restored by captive breeding efforts. Using low coverage genomic data from modern and historical individuals, we investigate population processes occurring before and after this extinction. Analysis of aligned genomes supports the division of wisent into two previously recognized subspecies, but almost half of the genomic alignment contradicts this population history as a result of incomplete lineage sorting and admixture. Admixture between subspecies populations occurred prior to extinction and subsequently during the captive breeding program. Admixture with the Bos cattle lineage is also widespread but results from ancient events rather than recent hybridization with domestics. Our study demonstrates the huge potential of historical genomes for both studying evolutionary histories and for guiding conservation strategies

Restes de porcs provenant de tombes de l'Âge du Bronze en Arménie

Cet article présente les résultats de l\u27analyse morphologique de crânes de cochons sub-fossiles provenant de sépultures de l\u27Âge du Bronze en Arménie. L\u27étude a révélé qu\u27il s\u27agissait de cochons domestiques. Les crânes décrits sont uniques pour la période chronologique concernée et sont très proches, dans leur forme générale, de Sus scrofa attila Th.This paper presents the results of a morphological analysis of skulls of subfossil pigs from Bronze Age burials in Armenia. The study has revealed that the skulls are of domesticated pigs. These skulls are unique for the chronological period and are very similar in general form to Sus scrofa attila Th.</p

Animaux domestiques et sauvages au Moyen Âge en Arménie

Ce travail présente les résultats de l\u27étude de matériels ostéologiques issus de monuments fouillés en Arménie (2e siècle BC - 13e siècle AD). Les caractéristiques de la structure des espèces et les particularités des animaux sauvages et domestiques sont données, et leur rôle dans la vie économique des habitants est précisé. This work presents the results of the study of osteological material from excavated archaeological monuments in Armenia (from 2nd century BC to 13th century AD). Characteristics of species structure and peculiarities of hunted and domestic animals are given; their role in economic life of inhabitants is clarified.</p

Complex Admixture Preceded and Followed the Extinction of Wisent in the Wild.

Retracing complex population processes that precede extreme bottlenecks may be impossible using data from living individuals. The wisent (Bison bonasus), Europe's largest terrestrial mammal, exemplifies such a population history, having gone extinct in the wild but subsequently restored by captive breeding efforts. Using low coverage genomic data from modern and historical individuals, we investigate population processes occurring before and after this extinction. Analysis of aligned genomes supports the division of wisent into two previously recognized subspecies, but almost half of the genomic alignment contradicts this population history as a result of incomplete lineage sorting and admixture. Admixture between subspecies populations occurred prior to extinction and subsequently during the captive breeding program. Admixture with the Bos cattle lineage is also widespread but results from ancient events rather than recent hybridization with domestics. Our study demonstrates the huge potential of historical genomes for both studying evolutionary histories and for guiding conservation strategies