On the origin of mongrels: evolutionary history of free-breeding dogs in Eurasia

Although a large part of the global domestic dog population is free-ranging and free- breeding, knowledge of genetic diversity in these free-breeding dogs (FBDs) and their ancestry relations to pure-breed dogs is limited, and indigenous status of FBDs in Asia is uncertain. We analyse genome-wide SNP variability of FBDs across Eurasia, and show that they display weak genetic structure, and are genetically distinct from pure-breed dogs rather than constituting an admixture of breeds. Our results suggest that modern European breeds originated locally from European FBDs. East Asian and Arctic breeds show closest affinity to East Asian FBDs, and they both represent earliest-branching lineages in the phylogeny of extant Eurasian dogs. Our biogeographic reconstruction of ancestral distributions indicates a gradual westward expansion of East Asian indigenous dogs to the Middle East and Europe through Central and West Asia, providing evidence for a major expansion that shaped the patterns of genetic differentiation in modern dogs. This expansion was probably secondary and could have led to the replacement of earlier resident populations in Western Eurasia. This could explain why earlier studies based on modern DNA suggest East Asia as the region of dog origin, while ancient DNA and archaeological data point to Western Eurasia

INTRASPECIES PTEROMYS-TALLENNUSTEN (SCIURIDAE, MAMMALIA) TALVEN TURKIVÄRJEN VÄRITTÄMINEN MALLISSA

Peer reviewe

Coat Polymorphism in Eurasian Lynx: Adaptation to Environment or Phylogeographic Legacy?

We studied the relationship between the variability and contemporary distribution of pelage phenotypes in one of most widely distributed felid species and an array of environmental and demographic conditions. We collected 672 photographic georeferenced records of the Eurasian lynx throughout Eurasia. We assigned each lynx coat to one of five phenotypes. Then we fitted the coat patterns to different environmental and anthropogenic variables, as well as the effective geographic distances from inferred glacial refugia. A majority of lynx were either of the large spotted (41.5%) or unspotted (uniform, 36.2%) phenotype. The remaining patterns (rosettes, small spots and pseudo-rosettes) were represented in 11.0%, 7.4%, and 3.9% of samples, respectively. Although various environmental variables greatly affected lynx distribution and habitat suitability, it was the effect of least-cost distances from locations of the inferred refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum that explained the distribution of lynx coat patterns the best. Whereas the occurrence of lynx phenotypes with large spots was explained by the proximity to refugia located in the Caucasus/Middle East, the uniform phenotype was associated with refugia in the Far East and Central Asia. Despite the widely accepted hypothesis of adaptive functionality of coat patterns in mammals and exceptionally high phenotypic polymorphism in Eurasian lynx, we did not find well-defined signs of habitat matching in the coat pattern of this species. Instead, we showed how the global patterns of morphological variability in this large mammal and its environmental adaptations may have been shaped by past climatic change.publishedVersio

Biological Earth observation with animal sensors

Space-based tracking technology using low-cost miniature tags is now delivering data on fine-scale animal movement at near-global scale. Linked with remotely sensed environmental data, this offers a biological lens on habitat integrity and connectivity for conservation and human health; a global network of animal sentinels of environmen-tal change

Causes of the Decrease in the Number of Ermine (Mustela Erminea L., 1758) and Pelt Procurement in Yakutia

During the last four decades, a decrease in ermine pelt procurement has been noted in Yakutia. To determine the possible reasons for this, material on the ecology of ermine and sables in Northeast Yakutia was collected from 1980–1994. The study examined 2890 sable stomachs for feed, and 1167 ermine skulls for Skrjabingylus infection. It was revealed that ermine are hunted by sables, but their proportion of the diet is low (0.4–3.4%). It was found that sables displaced ermine from the taiga biocenosis. The most acute effects of this process occurred during the sable settlement in October–November and are exacerbated by small numbers of rodents and crop failure in the main taiga feed. The overall intensity of infestation with the Skrjabingylus nasicola nematode was 19%, suggesting that this parasite is unlikely to have significantly affected the number of ermine

Ochotona hyperborea subsp. fedoseevi, ssp. nov.

<i>Ochotona hyperborea fedoseevi</i>, ssp. nov. Lissovsky <p> <i>Holotype.—</i> Zoological Museum of Moscow State University S-194595, subadult male, skin and skull (Figs. 8 and 9). Collected by A. A. Lissovsky and E. V. Obolenskaya 12 September 2014 at Russia: Khabarovsk Territory; Bureinskiy Range, Bolshoy Suluk Lake; 51.301 N, 134.333 E.</p> <p> <i>Etymology.—</i> The name is given in honor of famous land surveyor G. A. Fedoseev, who made a great contribution to the description of the Russian Far East; his popular books gave impulse to several generations of investigators to explore this territory.</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis.—</i> The new subspecies can be distinguished from the rest <i>O. hyperborea</i> (except for <i>Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis</i>) by the specific shape of the frequency modulation curve of alarm call: the frequency grows first, then decreases (Fig. 6); ascending branch of the curve prevails over descending. Maximum of basal frequency is above 5500 Hz. Representatives of the new subspecies form separate clade E in the molecular phylogenetic analysis (Figs. 1 and 3).</p> <p> <i>Description.—</i> The new subspecies cannot be distinguished from remaining <i>O. hyperborea</i> by morphological traits; the identification should be carried out on the basis of bioacoustic and genetic features described in the diagnosis.</p> <p>The dorsal parts of pikas in summer fur are reddish brown, ventral parts are ochraceous. The dorsal parts of winter specimens are gray brown with darker median stripe, sides are sandy, ventral parts are gray or sandy. Fur near eyes is gray. Condylobasal length 37.3 mm (35.4–39); zygomatic breadth 20.0 mm (18.9–20.7).</p> <p> <i>Distribution.—</i> Inhabits a number of mountain ranges in the Russian Far East—from the left bank of the lower Amur River to Tukuringra Range in the west: Djaki-Unakhta-Yanbiyana, Bureinskiy, Turana, Ezop, Tukuringra–Dzhagdy, and closely situated mountain ranges and uplands. The northern limit of the distribution goes along the Uda River Valley and Verkhnezeyskaya Plain. The Tukuringra Range population bears mitotypes of <i>O. h. cinereofusca</i>. The contact zone with <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> has not yet been found, our model suggests this zone should be situated in the area of the upper Aldan River.</p> <p> <i>Nomenclatural notes.—</i> No available names have been previously described from the distribution range of this subspecies. We therefore describe a new subspecies herein.</p>Published as part of <i>Lissovsky, Andrey A., Obolenskaya, Ekaterina V., Dokuchaev, Nikolai E. & Okhlopkov, Innokentiy M., 2021, Intraspecific variation and taxonomy of northern pika Ochotona hyperborea (Mammalia, Lagomorpha), pp. 28-53 in Journal of Mammalogy 102 (1)</i> on page 40, DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa150, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/7850862">http://zenodo.org/record/7850862</a&gt

Ochotona hyperborea subsp. yesoensis Kishida 1930

<i>Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis</i> Kishida, 1930 <p> <i>Ochotona yoshikurai</i> Kishida, 1932</p> <p> <i>Holotype.—</i> Botanic Garden and Museum, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University HUNHM06803, adult male. Collected by Forestry Bureau of the Hokkaido Government Office in 11 October 1928.</p> <p> <i>Type locality.—</i> “In Prov. Kitami, a northern part of that Island ” (Kishida 1930). Notsukeushi, Kitami according to the specimen label.</p> <p> <i>Description.—</i> Pikas of the F genetic lineage; eastern acoustic race. Separation from the only spatial neighbor of this subspecies: <i>O. h. fedoseevi</i> ssp. n., is possible on the basis of genetic traits only.</p> <p> <i>Distribution.—</i> Sikhote-Alin Range, Sakhalin, and Hokkaido Islands. The range of this subspecies is isolated from those of other subspecies of northern pikas.</p> <p> <i>Nomenclatural notes.—</i> No available names were described from the mainland part of this subspecies’ distribution. Sakhalin pikas were described as <i>Ochotona yoshikurai</i> Kishida, 1932. The nominal taxon <i>Ochotona yesoensis</i> Kishida, 1930, was described from Hokkaido Island; that region was not included in this study (except for bioacoustics). Nevertheless, Kartavtseva et al. (2014) analyzed the Cytochrome <i>b</i> gene of pikas from south of Russian Far East (genetic lineage F in our study) and Hokkaido Island and concluded that pikas from Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and Sikhote-Alin represent the same phylogenetic clade. From the position of bioacoustics, it is known that pikas from Hokkaido belong to the eastern acoustic race (Kawamichi 1981; Lissovsky 2005; this study). Thus, there is no information about any taxonomic peculiarities with respect to the Japanese pika, and we consider it to belong to the same subspecies as pikas from mainland Sikhote-Alin Range and Sakhalin Island. The name <i>Ochotona yesoensis</i> Kishida, 1930 is the senior synonym for the pikas from the distribution range of this subspecies.</p>Published as part of <i>Lissovsky, Andrey A., Obolenskaya, Ekaterina V., Dokuchaev, Nikolai E. & Okhlopkov, Innokentiy M., 2021, Intraspecific variation and taxonomy of northern pika Ochotona hyperborea (Mammalia, Lagomorpha), pp. 28-53 in Journal of Mammalogy 102 (1)</i> on page 40, DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa150, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/7850862">http://zenodo.org/record/7850862</a&gt

Ochotona hyperborea subsp. hyperborea

<i>Ochotona hyperborea hyperborea</i> (Pallas, 1811) <p> <i>Lagomys hyperboreus</i> var. <i>ferruginea</i> Schrenk, 1858 <i>Lagomys hyperboreus</i> var. <i>normalis</i> Schrenk, 1858 <i>Lagomys litoralis</i> Peters, 1882</p> <p> <i>Ochotona kolymensis</i> Allen, 1903</p> <p> <i>Ochotona hyperborea minima</i> Sokolov et al., 1994 <i>Ochotona hyperborea shamani</i> Sokolov et al., 1994</p> <p> <i>Type.—</i> Specimen unknown; the nominal taxon <i>Lepus hyperboreus</i> was described by P. S. Pallas on the basis of specimens collected by Carl Heinrich Merck (Pallas 1811:152).</p> <p> <i>Type locality.—</i> Chukchi Peninsula “terris Tschuktschicis” (Pallas 1811:152). This toponym can describe large territory; however, C. Merck only visited the northern part of Chukchi Peninsula along the trek from St. Laurent Bay–Mechigmen Bay (13–26 of September 1791)–Kolyutchin Bay (14 October)– Amguema River (18 November)–Chaun River (19 January 1792)–Anyuyskiy Ostrog at the estuary of Angarka River (14 February; 66.85°N, 164.25°E; Merck 1782–1792 [1980]). The detailed map of the route was published by Sarychev (1811). Merck mentioned Anyuyskiy Ostrog as the final point of expedition, hence probably did not collect during the journey to Yakutsk through Nizhnekolymskiy Ostrog. Thus, the route from St. Laurent Bay to Anyuyskiy Ostrog should be considered as the type locality of <i>O. h. hyperborea</i>.</p> <p> <i>Description.—</i> Pikas of the A genetic lineage; northern acoustic race. Besides genetics, this subspecies can be distinguished from neighboring <i>O. h. uralensis</i> by the shape of parietal suture of the skull (Fig. 5). There are differences in the shape of the frequency modulation curve of alarm call with another spatial neighbor— <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> (Fig. 6).</p> <p> <i>Distribution.—</i> The most northeastern part of the distribution range of the species: Chukchi and Kamchatka Peninsulas, Kolyma and Koryak Uplands, and Indigirka River basin. Provisionally, the distributional border with <i>O. h. uralensis</i> corresponds roughly to the watershed between the Yana and Indigirka River basins (at least its eastern part). Junction with distribution of <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> is possible to the north of the Dzhugdzhur Range.</p> <p> <i>Nomenclatural notes.—</i> The nominal taxon <i>Ochotona hyperborea shamani</i> provisionally is considered herein a junior synonym of <i>O. h. hyperborea</i>. <i>Ochotona h</i>. <i>shamani</i> was described on the basis of a sample of pikas from the Indigirka River basin (near Shamanovo: 69.95°N, 147.57°E); we had no genetic data from this location. Our distributional analysis confirmed the proximity of the Indigirka River basin to the distribution <i>O. h. hyperborea</i>, although this factor alone cannot be used as a strong argument to select between <i>O. h. hyperborea</i> and <i>O. h. uralensis</i>. The prevailing shape of the parietal suture in the studied sample also suggests this population belongs to <i>O. h. hyperborea</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Lissovsky, Andrey A., Obolenskaya, Ekaterina V., Dokuchaev, Nikolai E. & Okhlopkov, Innokentiy M., 2021, Intraspecific variation and taxonomy of northern pika Ochotona hyperborea (Mammalia, Lagomorpha), pp. 28-53 in Journal of Mammalogy 102 (1)</i> on pages 36-37, DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa150, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/7850862">http://zenodo.org/record/7850862</a&gt

Ochotona hyperborea subsp. cinereoflava

<i>Ochotona hyperborea cinereoflava</i> (Schrenk, 1858) <p> <i>Lectotype</i> (designated by Ognev 1940). ZIN 82201, skin with skull inside. Collected by M. Furman 18.02.1845 (Collection of A. F. Middendorff). Paralectotypes: ZIN 82202, male, skin with skull inside; 82203 sex unknown, broken skull and skin.</p> <p> <i>Type locality.—</i> Russia, Khabarovsk Territory, lower Uda River, vicinities of Udskoe (“Udskoy ostrog”).</p> <p> <i>Description.—</i> Pikas of the D genetic lineage; southern acoustic race. Occupying a central position in the species range, <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> contacts four other subspecies (Supplementary Data SD7). It can be distinguished from <i>O. h. hyperborea</i>, <i>O. h. uralensis</i>, and <i>O. h. fedoseevi</i> ssp. n. by the shape of the frequency modulation curve of its alarm call (Fig. 6). Differences with <i>O. h. uralensis</i> include also the shape of the parietal suture of the skull (Fig. 5). Separation from <i>O. h. cinereofusca</i> is possible on the basis of genetic traits only.</p> <p> <i>Distribution.—</i> KnownfromDzhugdzhurRangeandStanovoy Range; forms a zone of intergradation with <i>O. h. cinereofusca</i> on the Aldan Plateau. Theoretically (Supplementary Data SD7), <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> should contact with <i>O. h. uralensis</i> at the northern foothills of the Aldan Plateau and western foothills of the Dzhugdzhur Range; and contact <i>O. h. hyperborea</i> to the north of the Dzhugdzhur Range. However, any such contact zones are not known.</p> <p> <i>Nomenclatural notes.—</i> There only is one available name that has been described from the distribution range of this subspecies: <i>Lagomys hyperboreus</i> var. <i>cinereoflava</i> Schrenk, 1858. This taxon initially was described on the basis of three specimens (Schrenk 1858), collected from very remote areas (Lissovsky et al. 2003): “Udskoy Ostrog” (ca. 54.56°N, 134.27°E), Maya River (ca. 54.90°N, 133.91°E, 12.09.1845; collector, I. G. Woznessenskiy); and Olenek River (68.183°N, 112.25°E, 1.10.1854; collector, R. Maak). Both L. Schrenck and the museum label mention A. F. Middendorff as a collector of the specimen from Udskoy Ostrog. However, A. F. Middendorff collected animals in the Kamchatka Peninsula during this time (Sokolov and Shishkin 2005). His assistant M. Furman was left in Udskoe for collections and observations; most probably he was the real collector of the specimen.</p>Published as part of <i>Lissovsky, Andrey A., Obolenskaya, Ekaterina V., Dokuchaev, Nikolai E. & Okhlopkov, Innokentiy M., 2021, Intraspecific variation and taxonomy of northern pika Ochotona hyperborea (Mammalia, Lagomorpha), pp. 28-53 in Journal of Mammalogy 102 (1)</i> on page 39, DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa150, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/7850862">http://zenodo.org/record/7850862</a&gt

Ochotona hyperborea subsp. uralensis Flerov 1927

<i>Ochotona hyperborea uralensis</i> Flerov, 1927 <p> <i>Ochotona hyperborea naumovi</i> Formozov et Yakhontov, 2003</p> <p> <i>Lectotype (designated by).—</i> Ognev 1940 ZIN 16107, adult female, skull and skin. Collected by K. K. Flerov 10.8.1926. Paralectotypes (Baranova et al. 1981): ZIN 16106, 16110, 16111.</p> <p> <i>Type locality (according to museum label).—</i> Eastern slope of Bolshoy Ural, Kharuta River, Synya River tributary (65.79°N, 62.78°E).</p> <p> <i>Description.—</i> Pikas of the B genetic lineage; northern acoustic race. The majority of the representatives of this subspecies (except for pikas from the Ural Mountains) have a clear V-shaped parietal suture (Fig. 5B). Accordingly, besides genetic identification, this subspecies can be distinguished from neighboring <i>O. h. hyperborea</i> by the shape of the parietal suture of the skull (Fig. 5). There are differences in the shape of the frequency modulation curve of alarm call with another spatial neighbor— <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> (Fig. 6).</p> <p> <i>Distribution.—</i> The subspecies has a notably disjunct distribution—the northern Ural Mountains, Putorana Plateau and adjacent uplands, as well as Yakutia between the middle and lower Aldan River basin (to the north of Aldan Plateau) and Lena River basin (right bank, to the north of the Buotama River), including mountains of the Verkhoyansk region. The provisional distribution border with <i>O. h. hyperborea</i> corresponds roughly to the course of the Indigirka River. The case of mitochondrial introgression from the latter subspecies was found in the Adycha River basin. This subspecies should contact <i>O. h. cinereoflava</i> along the foothills of the Aldan Plateau and Dzhugdzhur Range, but an exact contact zone remains unknown.</p> <p> <i>Nomenclatural notes.—</i> Only two nominal taxa were described from the distribution range of this subspecies. The senior synonym appeared to be <i>Ochotona hyperborea uralensis</i> Flerov, 1927, which described a specimen from the very remote isolate in Ural Mountains.</p>Published as part of <i>Lissovsky, Andrey A., Obolenskaya, Ekaterina V., Dokuchaev, Nikolai E. & Okhlopkov, Innokentiy M., 2021, Intraspecific variation and taxonomy of northern pika Ochotona hyperborea (Mammalia, Lagomorpha), pp. 28-53 in Journal of Mammalogy 102 (1)</i> on pages 37-38, DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa150, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/7850862">http://zenodo.org/record/7850862</a&gt