MBE Advance Access published online on January 25, 2007
Molecular Biology and Evolution, doi:10.1093/molbev/msm016
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Research Article |
Ancient DNA Chronology within Sediment Deposits: Are Paleobiological Reconstructions Possible and is DNA Leaching a Factor?
1 Henry Wellcome Ancient Biomolecules Centre, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
2 Palaecol Research Ltd, P.O. Box 16 569, Hornby, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
3 Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, South Street, WA 6162, Australia
4 Centre for Ancient Genetics, Niels Bohr Institute & Biological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries vej 30, DK-2100, Denmark
* Author of correspondence: ewillerslev{at}bi.ku.dk , tel: 00 453 532-0570, fax: 00 45 35365357
Accepted for publication January 19, 2007.
In recent years several studies have reported the successful extraction of ancient DNA (aDNA) from both frozen and non-frozen sediments (even in the absence of macrofossils) in order to obtain genetic "profiles" from past environments. One of the hazards associated with this approach, particularly in non-frozen environments, is the potential for vertical migration of ancient DNA across strata. To assess the extent of this problem, we extracted aDNA from sediments up to 3300 years old at two cave sites in the North Island of New Zealand. These sites are ideal for this purpose, as the presence or absence of DNA from non-indigenous fauna (such as sheep) in sediments deposited prior to European settlement can serve as an indicator of DNA movement. Additionally, these strata are well defined and dated. DNA from sheep was found in strata that also contained moa DNA, indicating that genetic material had migrated downwards. Quantitative PCR analyses demonstrated that the amount of sheep DNA decreased as the age of sediments increased. Our results suggest that sedimentary aDNA is unlikely to be deposited from wind-borne DNA, and that physical remains of organisms, or their ejecta, need to have been incorporated in the sediments for their DNA to be detected. Our study indicates that DNA from sediments can still offer a rich source of information on past environments, provided that the risk from vertical migration can be controlled for
Key Words: aDNA • Sediment • Environmental Reconstructions • Extinctions • Leaching
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