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Article Reference Type material of South-American land snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Wladyslaw Emanuel Lubomirski collection deposited in the Museum and Institute of zoology, Warsaw, Poland
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022
Article Reference The Late Gravettian Site of Kostënki 21 Layer III, Russia: a Chronocultural Reassessment Based on a New Interpretation of the Significance of Intra-site Spatial Patterning
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Inbook Reference Self-domestication or human control? The Upper Palaeolithic domestication of the wolf
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Ancient RNA from Late Pleistocene permafrost and historical canids shows tissue-specific transcriptome survival
While sequencing ancient DNA (aDNA) from archaeological material is now commonplace, very few attempts to sequence ancient transcriptomes have been made, even from typically stable deposition environments such as permafrost. This is presumably due to assumptions that RNA completely degrades relatively quickly, particularly when dealing with autolytic, nuclease-rich mammalian tissues. However, given the recent successes in sequencing ancient RNA (aRNA) from various sources including plants and animals, we suspect that these assumptions may be incorrect or exaggerated. To challenge the underlying dogma, we generated shotgun RNA data from sources that might normally be dismissed for such study. Here, we present aRNA data generated from two historical wolf skins, and permafrost-preserved liver tissue of a 14,300-year-old Pleistocene canid. Not only is the latter the oldest RNA ever to be sequenced, but it also shows evidence of biologically relevant tissue specificity and close similarity to equivalent data derived from modern-day control tissue. Other hallmarks of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data such as exon-exon junction presence and high endogenous ribosomal RNA (rRNA) content confirms our data’s authenticity. By performing independent technical library replicates using two high-throughput sequencing platforms, we show not only that aRNA can survive for extended periods in mammalian tissues but also that it has potential for tissue identification. aRNA also has possible further potential, such as identifying in vivo genome activity and adaptation, when sequenced using this technology.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Article Reference Intermediate gastropod hosts of major feline cardiopulmonary nematodes in an area of wildcat and domestic cat sympatry in Greece
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Rediscovery, range extension, phylogenetic relationships and updated diagnosis of the Ornate Long-tailed Lizard Latastia ornata Monard, 1940 (Squamata: Lacertidae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA
Article Reference Barcoding and traditional health practitioner perspectives are informative to monitor and conserve frogs and reptiles traded for traditional medicine in urban South Africa
Previous literature suggests that Indigenous cultural practices, specifically traditional medicine, are commonplace among urban communities contrary to the general conception that such practices are restricted to rural societies. We reviewed previous literature for records of herptiles (frog and reptile species) sold by traditional health practitioners in urban South Africa, then used visual confirmation surveys, DNA barcoding and folk taxonomy to identify the herptile species that were on sale. Additionally, we interviewed 11 IsiZulu and SePedi speaking traditional health practitioners to document details of the collection and pricing of herptile specimens along with the practitioners' views of current conservation measures for traditional medicine markets. The 34 herptile species recorded in previous literature on traditional medicine markets included endangered and non-native species. Spectrophotometry measurements of the DNA we extracted from the tissue of herptiles used in traditional medicine were an unreliable predictor of whether those extractions would be suitable for further experimental work. From our initial set of 111 tissue samples, 81 sequencing reactions were successful and 55 of those sequences had species-level matches to COI reference sequences on the NCBI GenBank and/or BOLD databases. Molecular identification revealed that traditional health practitioners correctly labelled 77% of the samples that we successfully identified with DNA barcoding in this study. Our mixed methodology approach is useful for conservation planning as it updates knowledge of animal use in Indigenous remedies and can accurately identify species of high conservation priority. Furthermore, this study highlights the possibility of collaborative conservation planning with traditional health practitioners.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023 OA
Article Reference Preference for fish in a Neolithic hunter-gatherer community of the upper Tigris, elucidated by amino acid δ15N analysis
We report here the stable nitrogen isotope composition (d15N) of individual amino acids and the d15N and d13C content of collagen from human and faunal remains collected from Hasankeyf H€oyük, an early Neolithic site in the upper Tigris valley. Based on the d15N of collagen only, the contributions of freshwater resources to the diet of the hunter-gatherers were difficult to clearly identify relative to terrestrial resources. However, analysis of the nitrogen isotope composition of individual amino acids enabled the identification of minor contributions from freshwater resources to the diet in a community primarily dependent on terrestrial resources. Individual variability suggested that some individuals at Hasankeyf H€oyük used freshwater resources, whereas others probably depended primarily on terrestrial food resources. The importance of freshwater resources as food for this hunter-gatherer community was variable among groups and depended on burial location and time of burial.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2017
Inproceedings Reference More animal burials from the Predynastic elite cemetery of Hierakonpolis (Upper Egypt): the 2008 season
Three animal burials from the Predynastic elite cemetery HK6 at Hierakonpolis are described. Recent excavations at this site have revealed large tomb compounds and a precinct of funerary temples dating to the Naqada IC–IIB (ca. 3800–3600 BC), all of which included animal burials. Shallow pits discovered by the enclosure wall of the cemetery and near the northeast corner of the temple precinct yielded the articulated skeletons of nine dogs, a baboon and six cats. A description of the finds is provided and special attention is given to the size reconstruction and possible breeds of the dogs, the pathology seen on the baboon skeleton and its interpretation in terms of conditions of keeping, and the status of the cats (wild, tamed or domestic).
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2017
Inproceedings Reference An unusual cattle burial at Dayr al-Barshā (Late Period, Middle Egypt)
During excavations in the desert plain near Dayr al-Barshā in Middle Egypt, a circular pit filled with cattle bones was found. The pit, with a diameter of about 1.5m, contained the almost complete skeletons of 15 Egyptian Longhorns, dated to 410–360 cal BC. The material was in a remarkably good state of preservation, but few elements were found in articulation. Apart from the more-or-less complete skeletons, some fragmentary remains of at least three additional individuals have been collected. The age at death, sex and size of the animals has been established and the pathologies and traces on the bones have been recorded. No parallels are known for the cattle burial at Dayr al-Barshā. The animals were probably kept in the context of a local temple economy. In line with common practices at that time, their bodies were macerated and the obtained skeletons ceremonially buried later on.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2017