Sex chromosomes are useful in elucidating the evolutionary factors affecting diversity and divergence. In particular, Y chromosome analyses may complement studies using mitochondrial DNA for inferring sex-specific population genetic processes. Y chromosome studies have been scarce due to limited access to genetic markers and the dynamic evolution of Y. Conserved Y-specific primers that could amplify a diverse set of mammalian species were developed from comparison of gametologous X and Y sequences. Y-specific sequence, generally more than one kb, was amplified for all 20 species examined. Intraspecific diversity on mammalian Y was found to be reduced even when male-biased mutation rate and effective population size were corrected for. A number of factors can cause this low variation on Y of which selection on a haploid chromosome seems most important. The field vole (Microtus agrestis), a common and well-studied small mammal in Eurasia, was examined for X and Y variability. Earlier studies on mtDNA had shown that the field vole is separated in two distinct lineages in Europe. The X and Y chromosome sequences confirmed the deep split and suggested that the two lineages of field vole should be reclassified as two separate species. Two distinct Y chromosome haplogroups were found in modern European cattle, distributed among breeds according to a north-south gradient. Ancient DNA analysis of European aurochsen showed the northern haplogroup to be the most common, possibly indicating local hybridization between domestic cows and wild aurochs bulls in Europe.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-4126 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Hellborg, Linda |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för evolutionsbiologi, Uppsala : Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary, info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology, 1104-232X ; 951 |
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