Abstract
We report analysis of ancient mitochondrial DNA sequences from nine archaeological specimens (8 femura and 1 incissor) of Rattus exulans excavated from Anakena Beach Dune on Rapa Nui. Sequence of a 239-base-pair fragment of the hypervariable mitochondrial control region reveals a single mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of all samples corresponding to the R9 haplotype prevalent in East Polynesia. This suggests a single or very limited introduction of Rattus exulans to the island. Rapa Nui, like other remote islands of Polynesia, remained effectively isolated following colonization.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1536-1540 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Archaeological Science |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Ancient DNA
- Island colonization
- Polynesia
- Rapa Nui
- Rattus exulans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Archaeology
- Archaeology