Sri Lankan Pig Ancestry Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA, Y-Chromosome, and MC1R

What is it about?

The origin and causal genetic variants underlying pigment phenotype in Sri Lankan wild boar and domestic pigs remains largely unexplored. We herein explored genetic diversity of 12 Sri Lankan wild boars and domestic pigs through the joint analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y-chromosome, and MC1R polymorphisms. In summary, this study demonstrates that some of Sri Lankan domestic pigs have an East/Southeast Asian ancestry rather than from local wild boars. The basal position of some of the wild boar in Sri Lanka might have linked their ancestry to ancient dispersal.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The study explored origin and causal genetic variants underlying pigment phenotype in Sri Lankan wild boar and domestic pigs