engleski

Mitochondrial DNA control region as a tool for species identification and distinction between wolves and dogs from Croatia

Dogs worldwide share a single genetic origin from Asian wolves. While dog and wolf lineages are difficult to separate for nuclear genes, mitochondrial lineages are clearly distinguishable for the two species, offering a good opportunity to evaluate the differences between them. Species identification from DNA is an important tool for wolf conservation in Croatia, and wolf – dog differentiation is necessary for forensic cases, wildlife management and scientific research. The goal of this paper was to provide a data set on Croatian dog and wolf mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and to research if these sequences can be used as a reference for species identification. We have analyzed 281 base pair sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of 20 mixed breed dog blood samples, 91 grey wolf muscle samples and two muscle samples of wolf-like animals. We have identified 12 dog and 4 wolf mtDNA control region haplotypes. None of the haplotypes have been shared, confirming that mtDNA control region haplotypes can be used to discriminate between Croatian wolves and dogs, and to confirm maternal ancestry of putative hybrids. Sequences of two wolf-like animals clearly grouped into a dog cluster.

dog ; Canis lupus familiaris ; wolf ; Canis lupus ; mitochondrial DNA ; control region

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