The genetic analysis of trout skeletal remains: how should the potential of ancient fish DNA be utilized?

Abstract

DNA can be retrieved from preserved biological remains; this provides scientists with an opportunity to directly measure molecular evolution over large periods of time. This means that the taxonomic affinity of extinct taxa can be ascertained by studying archival material found at archaeological sites. This paper describes a molecular approach which was used to identify the taxonomical position of a fish whose bones came from an archaeological site in Wolin in northern Poland. Ancient DNA was successfully extracted, and a fragment of about 350 bp from the mitochondrial control region was amplified with PCR and sequenced. The molecular analysis based on ancient and modern sequences of the mitochondrial control region proved that the archival bone was a component of a Salmo trutta skeleton. However, the mtDNA sequence examined was more similar to the haplotype of trout from the Adriatic Sea basin than to fish inhabiting the waters of the southern Baltic Sea coast.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Dr Sławomir Ciesielski, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski, Zakład Genetyki Ewolucyjnej, ul. Oczapowskiego 5, 10-927 Olsztyn; Tel./Fax.: 48 89 5233754; e-mail: slavcm@uwm.edu.pl