The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (198- to 598-bp) of four ancient Canis specimens (two Canis mandibles, a cranium, and a first phalanx) was examined, and each specimen was genetically identified as Japanese wolf. Two unique nucleotide substitutions, the 78-C insertion and the 482-G deletion, both of which are specific for Japanese wolf, were observed in each sample. Based on the mtDNA sequences analyzed, these four specimens and 10 additional Japanese wolf samples could be classified into two groups— Group A (10 samples) and Group B (4 samples)—which contain or lack an 8-bp insertion/deletion (indel), respectively. Interestingly, three dogs (Akita-b, Kishu 25, and S-husky 102) that each contained Japanese wolf-specific features were also classified into Group A or B based on the 8-bp indel. To determine the origin or ancestor of the Japanese wolf, mtDNA control regions of ancient continental Canis specimens were examined; 84 specimens were from Russia, and 29 were from China. However, none of these 113 specimens contained Japanese wolf-specific sequences. Moreover, none of 426 Japanese modern hunting dogs examined contained these Japanese wolf-specific mtDNA sequences. The mtDNA control region sequences of Groups A and B appeared to be unique to grey wolf and dog populations.
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1 February 2016
Japanese Wolves are Genetically Divided into Two Groups Based on an 8-Nucleotide Insertion/Deletion within the mtDNA Control Region
Naotaka Ishiguro,
Yasuo Inoshima,
Tokuma Yanai,
Motoki Sasaki,
Akira Matsui,
Hiroki Kikuchi,
Masashi Maruyama,
Hitomi Hongo,
Yuri E. Vostretsov,
Viatcheslav Gasilin,
Pavel A. Kosintsev,
Chen Quanjia,
Wang Chunxue
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Zoological Science
Vol. 33 • No. 1
February 2016
Vol. 33 • No. 1
February 2016
Canis lupus familiaris
Canis lupus hodophilax
genetic variation
Japanese wolf
mitochondrial DNA
PHYLOGEOGRAPHY
