Palaeogenomics reveal a hybrid origin of the world's largest Camelus species

The extinct Camelus knoblochi is known as the largest camel in genus Camelus, but its relationship to modern Camelus species remains unclear. In this study, we reported the first mitochondrial and nuclear analyses of seven Late Pleistocene C. knoblochi samples from Northeastern China. We found that they are inseparable to wild Bactrian camel on the matrilineal side, but belong to a distinct cluster on the biparental nuclear side. Further admixture proportion analyses suggested hybrid ancestry between both the ancestors of the modern wild and domesticated Bactrian camels, with ~65% contribution from the former and ~35% from the later. By calculating the coalescence time for three Camelus species above, we estimated the hybridization event occurred between approximately 0.8 and 0.33 Ma. We also used Bayesian skyline to reconstruct the maternal demographic trajectories for different Camelus to better compare their evolutionary histories. Our results provide molecular insights into C. knoblochi and fill in a vital piece in understanding the genus Camelus.

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The Affects of Genital Myiasis on the Diversity of Vaginal Flora in Female Bactrian Camels

10.21203/rs.3.rs-455243/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Likang Zhi ◽

Dongdong Ai ◽

Ming Yong ◽

Huar Bao ◽

Baoxiang Han ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diversity Index ◽

Mechanical Damage ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Illumina Miseq ◽

Vaginal Flora ◽

Bactrian Camel ◽

Vaginal Tissue ◽

Health States ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Bactrian Camels

Abstract Background: One of the most important diseases that affect the reproductive organs of Bactrian camels is called Genital Myiasis. It can cause serious mechanical damage to the vaginal tissue of female Bactrian camels. The accumulation of bacteria in the vagina of female camels can affect their health and reproductive ability. The effect of this damage is commonly found in the vaginal flora and vaginal mucosal immune system. Therefore, this research is a study of the diversity of the vaginal flora and the differences between healthy Bactrian camels and those suffering from Genital Myiasis.Results: Vaginal microbiota samples were collected from two groups of female Bactrian camels of the same age. Illumina Miseq was used to sequence V3-V4 hypervariable genes of 16S rRNA in the samples, and the results showed that the vaginal microflora of the infected camel had a significantly greater OTU value. According to the Alpha diversity index and the level of vaginal pH, the diversity index of the infected camel flora were higher than that of the normal camel flora, and the pH were lower than that of the normal camel flora (P=0.006). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the abundance of dominant genera of Bactrian camel vaginal (P＞0.05), indicating that the structure of dominant flora of Bactrian camel vagina had a certain stability.Conclusions: Overall this comparison revealed the differences and similarities between vaginal flora Bactrian camels in various health states. In addition, this data provides a reference point for understanding the types of bacteria that cause genital myiasis that damages healthy development of Bactrian camels.

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Interspecies embryo transfer in camelids: the birth of the first Bactrian camel calves (Camelus bactrianus) from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd08140 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 333 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

A. Niasari-Naslaji ◽

D. Nikjou ◽

J. A. Skidmore ◽

A. Moghiseh ◽

M. Mostafaey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endangered Species ◽

Embryo Transfer ◽

Single Injection ◽

Bactrian Camel ◽

Dromedary Camels ◽

First Report ◽

Camelus Bactrianus ◽

Bactrian Camels ◽

Mature Size ◽

Fertile Male

Interspecies embryo transfer is a possible approach that can be used to conserve endangered species. It could provide a useful technique to preserve the Iranian and wild Bactrian camels, both of which are threatened with extinction. In the present study, one Bactrian camel was superovulated using decreasing doses of FSH (60, 40, 30, 30, 20, 20 mg, b.i.d.; Folltropin-V; Bioniche, London, ON, Canada) for 6 days, followed by a single injection of FSH (20 mg, i.m.) on Day 7. Daily ovarian ultrasonography was performed until most of the growing follicles had reached a mature size of 13–17 mm, at which time the camel was mated twice, 24 h apart, with a fertile male Bactrian camel. At the time of first mating, female camels were given 20 μg, i.v., buserelin (Receptal; Intervet, Boxmeer, The Netherlands). One day after the donor camel had been mated, the dromedary recipients (n = 8) were injected with 25 mg, i.v., porcine LH (Lutropin-V; Bioniche) to induce ovulation. Embryos were recovered on Day 8.5 after the first mating and transferred non-surgically into recipients on Day 7.5 after LH injection. Pregnancy was diagnosed 25 days after embryo transfer. Healthy Bactrian camel calves (n = 4) were born without any particular complications at the time of parturition (e.g. dystocia and neonatal diseases). The present study is the first report of the birth of Bactrian camel calves from dromedary camels, as well as the first report of interspecies embryo transfer in old world camelids.

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The Phylogenetic Position of Vincetoxicum pannonicum (Borhidi) Holub Supports the Species' Allopolyploid Hybrid Origin

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.8931 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Orsolya Horváth ◽

Levente Laczkó ◽

Zsuzsa Lisztes-Szabó ◽

Attila Molnár V. ◽

Agnieszka Popiela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genome Size ◽

Hybrid Origin ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Gene Trees ◽

Separate Species ◽

Diploid Parent ◽

Hybridization Event ◽

Pollen Donor ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Allotetraploid Hybrid

The Pannonian endemic species Vincetoxicum pannonicum was described from specimens collected in Hungary and occurs at only few locations. It is considered “vulnerable” according to the International Red List. The chromosome set was reported to be tetraploid, and the species was hypothesized to be an allotetraploid hybrid of the Balkan species V. fuscatum and the Adriatic species hirundinaria subsp. adriaticum. We investigated the origin of V. pannonicum using molecular phylogenetic methods by separately analyzing the multicopy nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and the plastid-encoded trnH-psbA DNA regions and by evaluating discrepancies between the produced gene trees. Paralogs in the nrITS region clustered in two main groups, one of which was closest to V. fuscatum, and the other included V. hirundinaria subsp. adriaticum. According to trnH-psbA sequences, V. pannonicum and V. hirundinaria subsp. adriaticum formed a single group. Our results show that V. pannonicum diversified because of hybrid speciation, in which V. fuscatum was the pollen donor. We discovered a similar placement of V. maeoticum, which suggests a further hybridization event between V. fuscatum and a species of the V. hirundinaria group. Our genome-size estimate indicates almost sixfold larger genome size in V. pannonicum compared to the maternal diploid parent, suggesting hexaploidy; however, V. pannonicum is tetraploid. This may suggest cytological diploidization in the allopolyploid V. pannonicum. We observed substantial genetic distance between V. hirundinaria subsp. adriaticum and all other subspecies of V. hirundinaria, and we therefore propose that V. adriaticum should be regarded as a separate species.

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First cloned Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) calf produced by interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer: A step towards preserving the critically endangered wild Bactrian camels

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0177800 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. e0177800 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Nisar Ahmad Wani ◽

Binoy S. Vettical ◽

Seung B. Hong

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ◽

Nuclear Transfer ◽

Bactrian Camel ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Camelus Bactrianus ◽

Bactrian Camels

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Evidence of a Possible Double Hybrid Origin for Two Malagasy Species of Piper L. (Piperaceae)

10.20944/preprints202009.0083.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Enrico Palchetti ◽

Massimo Gori ◽

Stefano Biricolti ◽

Alessandro Calamai ◽

Lorenzo Bini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acid ◽

Hybrid Origin ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Trnl Intron ◽

Unexpected Result ◽

Nuclear Markers ◽

African Species ◽

Asian Species ◽

Hybridization Event ◽

Close Relationship

two new species of genus Piper L. from Madagascar: Piper malgassicum and Piper tsarasotrae, were analyzed to investigate their phylogenetic position and evolutionary history. Both plastidial and nuclear markers were used for sequencing. The plastidial markers (ndhF and the trnL intron) showed a close relationship between the two species with respect to the other species of Piper. Both species appeared phylogenetically related to the African P. guineense and the Malagasian/Mascarenhas endemic P. borbonense. The nuclear marker (G3PDH) amplification produced two separate sets of sequences: “long” sequences, that could be easily translated into an amino acid chain, and “short” sequences, characterized by deletions that did not allowed to translate them correctly to an amino acid sequence. Analyzing together the nuclear sequences, we observed that the “long” sequence of P. tsarasotrae had a stricter relationship to the African accessions of P. guineense, while the accession of P. malgassicum was more strictly related to P. borbonense. On the contrary both “short” sequences of Piper malgassicum and Piper tsaratsotrae resulted phylogenetically related to Asian accessions and more distantly related to the formerly cited species. This unexpected result was tentatively explained with a more ancient hybridization event between an ancestor of P. malgassicum and P. tsarasotrae (and possibly P. borbonense) and an Asian species of Piper. The Asian contribution would have produced the ancestors of the “short” sequences that would eventually have lost functionality by deletions, becoming paralogs. A more recent hybridization event would have led to the separation of Piper malgassicum from Piper tsarasotrae with an African pollen-derived genome contribution from P. guineense or, more probably, an ancestor thereof, to an ancestor of P. tsarasotrae. The chromosome numbers of P. tsarasotrae (2n = about 38) and P. malgassicum (2n = about 46), were more like the Asian species than to the American species. Unfortunately, no chromosome number of the African species P. guineense is currently available, to analyze eventual chromosomal connections.

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Expression of the NSE, SP, NFH and DβH in Normal and Cryptorchid Testes of Bactrian Camel

10.21203/rs.3.rs-757521/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ligang Yuan ◽

Hua Wang ◽

Hongzao Yang ◽

Shaoyu Chen ◽

Dapeng Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leydig Cells ◽

Abdominal Cavity ◽

Nerve Fibers ◽

Bactrian Camel ◽

Pathological Changes ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Three Samples ◽

Bactrian Camels ◽

Spermatogenic Epithelium ◽

Hybridization Reaction

Abstract Background: Neuroendocrine substances play important roles in regulating the normal physiological functions of testicles.The purpose of this study is to explore the localization and effects of four neuroendocrine markers(NSE, SP, NFH and DβH) in normal and cryptorchid testes of Bactrian camels.Methods: The cryptorchid testes were located in the abdominal cavity and were collected by orchiectomy. Fresh testes tissues were processed into small pieces and then divided into three samples. One sample was frozen in liquid nitrogen for western blotting hybridization reaction, while the other sample was fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solution for histochemical analysis, and the third fixed in glutaraldehyde for transmission electron microscopy observation.Results: The results showed that cryptorchidism caused a reduction in layers of spermatogenic epithelium and decreased glycogen positivity in the basement membrane.The ultrastructure revealed that macrophages were always found around the Leydig cells, which were crowded with swelling mitochondria in cryptorchidism. Expression of NSE in the Leydig cells of cryptorchidism was significantly weakened compared to that in the normal group(p<0.01). We found that SP was always distributed along the nerve fibers in normal testes and was expressed in the Leydig cells of cryptorchidism. However, expression of NFH in the cryptorchidic tissue was strongly positive in spermatogenic epithelium, with limited expression in Leydig cells and no expression in peritubular myoid cells. Therefore, expression of DβH in the Sertoli cells was comparatively strong in both the normal and cryptorchidism groups.NFH and DβH expression was significantly increased in the cryptorchidism group compared with the nomal group(p<0.01).Conclusions: These findings indicated that the underdeveloped seminiferous epithelium and pathological changes in cryptorchid tissue in Bactrian camels were potentially related to a disorder in glycoprotein metabolism.Our results suggest that NSE and SP could helpful to judge the pathological changes of cryptorchidism. The present study provides the first evidence at the protein level for the existence of NFH and DβH in Sertoli and Leydig cells in Bactrian camel cryptorchidism and provides a more in-depth understanding of neuroendocrine regulation is crucial for animal cryptorchidism.

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Late Pleistocene glaciation of the Changbai Mountains in northeastern China

Science Bulletin ◽

10.1007/s11434-008-0347-9 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (17) ◽

pp. 2672-2684 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Wei Zhang ◽

Yunbo Niu ◽

Ling Yan ◽

Zhijiu Cui ◽

ChuanChuan Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Pleistocene ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Changbai Mountains ◽

Pleistocene Glaciation

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OSL and AMS 14C Age of the Most Complete Mammoth Fossil Skeleton from Northeastern China and its Paleoclimate Significance

Radiocarbon ◽

10.1017/rdc.2018.48 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 347-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hucai Zhang ◽

Fengqin Chang ◽

Huayong Li ◽

Guoqing Peng ◽

Lizeng Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Pleistocene ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Optically Stimulated Luminescence ◽

Sample Material ◽

Desert Area ◽

Fluvial Deposits ◽

Gravel Layer ◽

14C Age ◽

Upper Limits ◽

Plant Remains

ABSTRACTApplying radiocarbon (14C) dating using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to the skeleton of a mammoth and the associated plant remains have been dated. The fossil of Zhalai Nur mammoth was dated to 43,500 +1000/–900 14C yr BP. The results of optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, which show that a fluvially deposited gravel layer, from that the mammoth fossils were excavated, formed between 51,300±2100 and 26,600±1200 yr BP, place the new AMS 14C dates in a well-developed chronological framework. Through this study, it can be summarized that, firstly, using suitable sample material, it is possible to obtain reliable AMS 14C results, even when the ages of the target materials approach the upper limits of the method. Second, it reveals that a depositional hiatus exists during the Late Pleistocene, between ca. 26,000 yr BP and ca. 13,000 yr BP. Finally, large rivers and widely distributed areas of alluvial-fluvial deposits existed in this present-day desert area between ca. 51,000 and 26,000 yr BP. These results may shed new light on the study of the Mammuthus-Colelodonta-Bubalus fauna, the most important and fully developed fauna during the Late Pleistocene in northeastern China. They also deepen our understanding about the eco-environments of the region.

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34 Recent Advances in Cloning by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer in Camelids

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv30n1ab34 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 156

Author(s):

N. A. Wani ◽

V. S. Binoy ◽

S.-B. Hong

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer ◽

Nuclear Transfer ◽

Skin Fibroblast ◽

Bactrian Camel ◽

Dromedary Camel ◽

Fibroblast Cells ◽

Developmental Potential ◽

Bactrian Camels

In addition to its application for production of elite males, racing champions, animals with the highest potential for milk production, and the prized beauty camels, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) can be utilised for the conservation of endangered wild Bactrian camels and vicunas by using the technique of interspecies SCNT (iSCNT). In the present study, embryos were reconstructed by using skin fibroblast cells from a Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), a llama (Llama glama), and a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) as donor karyoplasts and dromedary oocytes as recipient cytoplasts to evaluate in vitro and in vivo developmental potential of these embryos. Mature oocytes were collected from super-stimulated dromedary camels by ultrasound guided transvaginal ovum pick-up. Serum-starved skin fibroblast cells were injected into the perivitelline space of enucleated oocytes. The fibroblast cell and recipient cytoplasm were fused by 2 DC pulses of 100V for 15 µs each. Reconstructs were activated 1 to 1.5 h post-fusion with 5 µM ionomycin, followed by exposure to 6-DMAP for 4 h. The activated oocytes were then cultured at 38.5°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. The proportion of oocytes that cleaved was recorded on Day 3, and those that reached morula and blastocyst stages were recorded on Day 7 of culture. A lower blastocyst production rate was observed when llama fibroblast cells were used as karyoplast (13.3 ± 3.3) compared with those obtained from the embryos reconstructed with Bactrian (34.4 ± 3.9) and dromedary (32.2 ± 6.2) fibroblast cells; however, no difference was observed in their cell numbers. Out of 26 and 20 blastocysts from reconstructs with Bactrian and dromedary fibroblast cells, transferred to 23 and 12 synchronized dromedary recipients, 3 and 2 pregnancies were achieved at Day 60, respectively. One pregnancy from each group reached term and both (a Bactrian and a dromedary) calves were delivered normally after completing the gestation period. We demonstrated birth of a Bactrian calf conceived from the reconstructed embryo by iSCNT using the somatic cell from a Bactrian camel and enucleated dromedary oocyte. The present study also demonstrated that dromedary camel can be used as a surrogate to carry these pregnancies to term (Wani et al. 2017 PLoS One 12, e0177800; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177800). This study has opened doors for enhanced multiplication and preservation of the wild Bactrian camels, which are threatened with extinction, being the eighth most endangered large mammal on the planet.

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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Antibodies in Bactrian and Hybrid Camels from Dubai

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00898-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Susanna K. P. Lau ◽

Kenneth S. M. Li ◽

Hayes K. H. Luk ◽

Zirong He ◽

Jade L. L. Teng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Bactrian Camel ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Animal Reservoir ◽

Potential Sources ◽

Serological Studies ◽

Bactrian Camels

ABSTRACT So far, dromedary camels are the only known animal reservoir for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Previous published serological studies showed that sera of Bactrian camels were all negative for MERS-CoV antibodies. However, a recent study revealed that direct inoculation of Bactrian camels intranasally with MERS-CoV can lead to infection with abundant virus shedding and seroconversion. In this study, we examined the presence of MERS-CoV antibodies in Bactrian and hybrid camels in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (where dromedaries are also present), and Bactrian camels in Xinjiang, China (where dromedaries are absent). For the 29 serum samples from Bactrian camels in Dubai tested by the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (S-ELISA) and neutralization antibody test, 14 (48%) and 12 (41%), respectively, were positive for MERS-CoV antibodies. All the 12 serum samples that were positive with the neutralization antibody test were also positive for the S-ELISA. For the 11 sera from hybrid camels in Dubai tested with the S-ELISA and neutralization antibody test, 6 (55%) and 9 (82%), respectively, were positive for MERS-CoV antibodies. All the 6 serum samples that were positive for the S-ELISA were also positive with the neutralization antibody test. There was a strong correlation between the antibody levels detected by S-ELISA and neutralizing antibody titers, with a Spearman coefficient of 0.6262 (P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval, 0.5062 to 0.7225). All 92 Bactrian camel serum samples from Xinjiang were negative for MERS-CoV antibodies tested using both S-ELISA and the neutralization antibody test. Bactrian and hybrid camels are potential sources of MERS-CoV infection. IMPORTANCE Since its first appearance in 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) has affected >25 countries, with >2,400 cases and an extremely high fatality rate of >30%. The total number of mortalities due to MERS is already greater than that due to severe acute respiratory syndrome. MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been confirmed to be the etiological agent. So far, dromedaries are the only known animal reservoir for MERS-CoV. Previously published serological studies showed that sera of Bactrian camels were all negative for MERS-CoV antibodies. In this study, we observed that 41% of the Bactrian camel sera and 55% of the hybrid camel sera from Dubai (where dromedaries are also present), but none of the sera from Bactrian camels in Xinjiang (where dromedaries are absent), were positive for MERS-CoV antibodies. Based on these results, we conclude that in addition to dromedaries, Bactrian and hybrid camels are also potential sources of MERS-CoV infection.

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