Journal article
Ancient mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals complexity of indigenous North American turkey domestication
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.107(7), pp.2807-2812
02/16/2010
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/118038
PMCID: PMC2840336
PMID: 20133614
Abstract
Although the cultural and nutritive importance of the turkey (
Meleagris gallopavo
) to precontact Native Americans and contemporary people worldwide is clear, little is known about the domestication of this bird compared to other domesticates. Mitochondrial DNA analysis of 149 turkey bones and 29 coprolites from 38 archaeological sites (200 BC–AD 1800) reveals a unique domesticated breed in the precontact Southwestern United States. Phylogeographic analyses indicate that this domestic breed originated from outside the region, but rules out the South Mexican domestic turkey (
Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo
) as a progenitor. A strong genetic bottleneck within the Southwest turkeys also reflects intensive human selection and breeding. This study points to at least two occurrences of turkey domestication in precontact North America and illuminates the intensity and sophistication of New World animal breeding practices.
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Details
- Title
- Ancient mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals complexity of indigenous North American turkey domestication
- Creators
- Camilla F Speller - Ancient DNA Laboratory, Department of ArchaeologyBrian M Kemp - Department of AnthropologyScott D Wyatt - Department of AnthropologyCara Monroe - School of Biological SciencesWilliam D Lipe - Department of AnthropologyUrsula M Arndt - Ancient DNA Laboratory, Department of ArchaeologyDongya Y Yang - Ancient DNA Laboratory, Department of Archaeology
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.107(7), pp.2807-2812
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Identifiers
- 99900576763701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article