Ancient DNA of the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

S. S. Barnes; E. Matisoo-Smith; T. L. Hunt

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2006.02.006

Ancient DNA of the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

S. S. Barnes, E. Matisoo-Smith, T. L. Hunt

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Scopus citations

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)
Pages (from-to)	1536-1540
Number of pages	5
Journal	Journal of Archaeological Science
Volume	33
Issue number	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2006.02.006
State	Published - Nov 2006
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Ancient DNA
Island colonization
Polynesia
Rapa Nui
Rattus exulans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Archaeology
Archaeology

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10.1016/j.jas.2006.02.006

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title = "Ancient DNA of the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)",

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.",

keywords = "Ancient DNA, Island colonization, Polynesia, Rapa Nui, Rattus exulans",

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language = "English (US)",

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AU - Barnes, S. S.

AU - Matisoo-Smith, E.

AU - Hunt, T. L.

PY - 2006/11

Y1 - 2006/11

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Ancient DNA

KW - Island colonization

KW - Polynesia

KW - Rapa Nui

KW - Rattus exulans

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DO - 10.1016/j.jas.2006.02.006

M3 - Article

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SN - 0305-4403

VL - 33

SP - 1536

EP - 1540

JO - Journal of Archaeological Science

JF - Journal of Archaeological Science

IS - 11

ER -

Ancient DNA of the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) from Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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