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Yak whole-genome resequencing reveals domestication signatures and prehistoric population expansions

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Qiu

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Lizhong Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Kun Wang

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Bio-resources and Eco-environment, College of Life Science, Sichuan University)

  • Yongzhi Yang

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Tao Ma

    (MOE Key Laboratory for Bio-resources and Eco-environment, College of Life Science, Sichuan University)

  • Zefu Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Xiao Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Zhengqiang Ni

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Fujiang Hou

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Ruijun Long

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University)

  • Richard Abbott

    (School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews)

  • Johannes Lenstra

    (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 8, 3584 CM)

  • Jianquan Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystem, College of Life Science, Lanzhou University
    MOE Key Laboratory for Bio-resources and Eco-environment, College of Life Science, Sichuan University)

Abstract

Yak domestication represents an important episode in the early human occupation of the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The precise timing of domestication is debated and little is known about the underlying genetic changes that occurred during the process. Here we investigate genome variation of wild and domestic yaks. We detect signals of selection in 209 genes of domestic yaks, several of which relate to behaviour and tameness. We date yak domestication to 7,300 years before present (yr BP), most likely by nomadic people, and an estimated sixfold increase in yak population size by 3,600 yr BP. These dates coincide with two early human population expansions on the QTP during the early-Neolithic age and the late-Holocene, respectively. Our findings add to an understanding of yak domestication and its importance in the early human occupation of the QTP.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Qiu & Lizhong Wang & Kun Wang & Yongzhi Yang & Tao Ma & Zefu Wang & Xiao Zhang & Zhengqiang Ni & Fujiang Hou & Ruijun Long & Richard Abbott & Johannes Lenstra & Jianquan Liu, 2015. "Yak whole-genome resequencing reveals domestication signatures and prehistoric population expansions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10283
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10283
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    Cited by:

    1. Xinfeng Liu & Wenyu Liu & Johannes A. Lenstra & Zeyu Zheng & Xiaoyun Wu & Jiao Yang & Bowen Li & Yongzhi Yang & Qiang Qiu & Hongyu Liu & Kexin Li & Chunnian Liang & Xian Guo & Xiaoming Ma & Richard J., 2023. "Evolutionary origin of genomic structural variations in domestic yaks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Srijana Joshi & Lily Shrestha & Neha Bisht & Ning Wu & Muhammad Ismail & Tashi Dorji & Gauri Dangol & Ruijun Long, 2020. "Ethnic and Cultural Diversity amongst Yak Herding Communities in the Asian Highlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, January.
    3. Lihong Gu & Feng Wang & Zhemin Lin & Tieshan Xu & Dajie Lin & Manping Xing & Shaoxiong Yang & Zhe Chao & Baoguo Ye & Peng Lin & Chunhui Hui & Lizhi Lu & Shuisheng Hou, 2020. "Genetic characteristics of Jiaji Duck by whole genome re-sequencing," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Xue Gao & Sheng Wang & Yan-Fen Wang & Shuang Li & Shi-Xin Wu & Rong-Ge Yan & Yi-Wen Zhang & Rui-Dong Wan & Zhen He & Ren-De Song & Xin-Quan Zhao & Dong-Dong Wu & Qi-En Yang, 2022. "Long read genome assemblies complemented by single cell RNA-sequencing reveal genetic and cellular mechanisms underlying the adaptive evolution of yak," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.

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