The origin of the domestic pig: independent domestication and subsequent introgression.

The domestic pig originates from the Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa). We have sequenced mitochondrial DNA and nuclear genes from wild and domestic pigs from Asia and Europe. Clear evidence was obtained for domestication to have occurred independently from wild boar subspecies in Europe and Asia. The time since divergence of the ancestral forms was estimated at approximately 500,000 years, well before domestication approximately 9,000 years ago. Historical records indicate that Asian pigs were introduced into Europe during the 18th and early 19th centuries. We found molecular evidence for this introgression and the data indicated a hybrid origin of some major "European" pig breeds. The study is an advance in pig genetics and has important implications for the maintenance and utilization of genetic diversity in this livestock species.

[1]  L. Andersson,et al.  Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for growth and fatness in pigs. , 1994, Science.

[2]  L. Marklund,et al.  Extensive mtDNA diversity in horses revealed by PCR-SSCP analysis. , 2009, Animal genetics.

[3]  Jared M. Diamond,et al.  Guns, germs and steel : how the inequalities of wealth and power among modern peoples were moulded by prehistory , 1997 .

[4]  M. Nei.  Molecular Evolutionary Genetics , 1987 .

[5]  A. Darvasi,et al.  Experimental strategies for the genetic dissection of complex traits in animal models , 1998, Nature Genetics.

[6]  C. Darwin.  The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication: DOMESTIC PIGEONS , 1868 .

[7]  S. Hiendleder,et al.  The Complete Mitochondrial DNA Sequence of the Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries) and Comparison with the Other Major Ovine Haplotype , 1998, Journal of Molecular Evolution.

[8]  W. Brown,et al.  Rapid evolution of animal mitochondrial DNA. , 1979, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[9]  L. Alexander,et al.  Evaluating Evolutionary Divergence with Microsatellites , 1998, Journal of Molecular Evolution.

[10]  A. Chakravarti.  Population genetics—making sense out of sequence , 1999, Nature Genetics.

[11]  M. Soller,et al.  Advanced intercross lines, an experimental population for fine genetic mapping. , 1995, Genetics.

[12]  J. Keele,et al.  Identification of quantitative trait loci affecting carcass composition in swine: I. Fat deposition traits. , 1998, Journal of animal science.

[13]  N. Takahata,et al.  Recent African origin of modern humans revealed by complete sequences of hominoid mitochondrial DNAs. , 1995, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[14]  S T Sherry,et al.  Genetic traces of ancient demography. , 1998, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[15]  Ina Ruck,et al.  USA , 1969, The Lancet.

[16]  D M Irwin,et al.  Evolution of the cytochrome b gene of mammals. , 1991, Journal of molecular evolution.

[17]  P. Sharp,et al.  Evidence for two independent domestications of cattle. , 1994, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[18]  L. Andersson,et al.  Melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) mutations and coat color in pigs. , 1998, Genetics.

[19]  S. Bökönyi.  History of Domestic Mammals in Central and Eastern Europe , 1974 .

[20]  M. Shriver,et al.  Microsatellite DNA variation and the evolution, domestication and phylogeography of taurine and zebu cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus). , 1997, Genetics.

[21]  J. E. Rice,et al.  Multiple and ancient origins of the domestic dog. , 1997, Science.

[22]  S. Pääbo,et al.  Extensive mitochondrial diversity within a single Amerindian tribe. , 1991, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[23]  Ú. Árnason,et al.  The Complete Mitochondrial DNA Sequence of the Pig (Sus scrofa) , 1998, Journal of Molecular Evolution.