Scientists in aurochs
genome sequence first
By Steven McKenzie
Highlands and
BBC News
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Scientists have analysed the DNA
of ancient giant European wild cattle that died out almost 400 years ago.
They have determined the first mitochondrial genome sequence
from aurochs (Bos primigenius)
from bone found in a cave in
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is
passed down from a mother to her offspring.
One of the researchers involved, Dr Ceiridwen
Edwards, has previously investigated the remains of a polar bear found in the
Scottish Highlands.
The work was carried out at the University College Dublin's
Animal Genomics Laboratory and Conway Institute using new technology that
allows billions of base pairs of DNA to be sequenced.
The technology was similar to that used to analyse human hair preserved in
The research has been published in scientific journal PloS ONE.
The aurochs DNA was extracted from well-preserved bone
recovered from a cave site in Derbyshire and radiocarbon-dated to the
Mesolithic period more than 6,000 years ago.
The bone pre-dates the farming of animals in
Dr Edwards said a project was now under way to sequence and
assemble a complete aurochs nuclear genome by the end of the year.
While there are many copies of mtDNA
to be found in cells there are only two copies of nuclear DNA - one from the
father and one from the mother - making it harder to find.
Previous genetic studies have suggested most modern
livestock are descended from cattle that arrived in
However, some aurochs may also have been domesticated.
Hunting range
Dr Edwards said the larger cattle were possibly harder for
early farmers to manage.
She said: "My personal theory is the
Aurochs were found in many parts of
The species became extinct when a female animal died in a
forest in
Roman general and dictator Julius
Caesar was said to have been impressed by the size of aurochs.
Adolf Hitler wanted to recreate the cattle through selective
breeding as a symbol of the Third Reich's belief in racial superiority.
Herman Goering, one of his commanders, wanted to introduce
the animal to a hunting range planned for conquered
Polar bear
Scientists based at University College Dublin, Trinity
College Dublin and
The senior author is the project's coordinator Prof David MacHugh, of the Animal Genomics Laboratory.
The researchers hope funding will be secured to reopen the
Ancient Biomolecules Centre at
Previously, Dr Edwards attempted to carry out DNA analysis
of a sample taken from what are believed to be the only polar bear remains to
have been found in
She had hoped to compare the DNA of the animal found in the
However, last February, she said there was not enough DNA
left in the sample for an analysis to be done.
It was thought the bear was washed into the caves 18,000
years ago.
The skull was found in 1927 and is held in the collections
of the National Museum of Scotland in
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