Exploring the lion's family tree
Greater understanding of the evolutionary development of lions and the interrelationship between populations is needed to effectively manage their natural diversity. Therefore, the 'Search for innate markers of Barbary affinity' (SIMBA) initiative built genomic libraries from ancient DNA and from extinct and endangered lion populations. Project partners examined over 100 samples taken from museum and zoo collections of rare and extinct populations, and modern lions (Panthera leo). After initial tests, 75 were considered well-preserved enough to produce high-quality genomic libraries. These libraries were then amplified, indexed and sequenced to generate sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mitogenome). Initial data was used to assemble complete mitogenomes for a number of specimens originating from North African, Cape, Gabonese, Iranian, Senegalese and Sudanese lion populations. Researchers also used the best libraries to obtain nuclear DNA from key regions of the natural range of P. leo. This included the extinct North African, Iranian and Cape populations and the Pleistocene cave lion. Results included the complete mitogenome from a Pleistocene cave lion (Panthera spelaea) and focused on phylogenetics within the Panthera genus. Phylogenetics is used to study evolutionary relationships between species and populations. The evolutionary development within lion species was also studied using mitogenomes. This included the identification of useful DNA sequence variations known as single nucleotide polymorphisms to separate regional lion populations, such as the Barbary. SIMBA's results have generated much discussion within lion conservation circles. This included collaboration with the African Lion Working Group to petition the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The aim was to gain special protection for certain regional populations of lions.
Keywords
Extinction, subspecies, lions, Barbary, mitogenome
