Data from: Microsatellite genotyping of medieval cattle from central Italy suggests an old origin of Chianina and Romagnola cattle

Analysis of DNA from archaeological remains is a valuable tool to interpret the history of ancient animal populations. So far most studies of ancient DNA target mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which reveals maternal lineages, but only partially the relationships of current breeds and ancient populations. In this study we explore the feasibility of nuclear DNA analysis. DNA was extracted from 1000-years old cattle bone collected from Ferento, an archaeological site in central Italy. Amplification of 15 microsatellite FAO-recommended markers with PCR products yielded genotypes for four markers. Expected heterozygosity was comparable with values of modern breeds, but observed heterozygosity was underestimated due to allelic loss. Genetic distances suggested a position intermediate between (1) Anatolian, Balkan, Sicilian and South-Italian cattle and (2) the Iberian, North-European and Central-European cattle, but also a clear relationship with two central-Italian breeds, Chianina and Romagnola. This suggests that these breeds are derived from medieval cattle living in the same area. Our results illustrate the potential of ancient DNA for reconstructing the history of local cattle husbandry.

考古遗存DNA分析是解读古代动物种群历史的重要研究工具。迄今为止，多数古代DNA研究均以线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA）为研究靶标，该物质可揭示母系遗传谱系，但仅能部分反映现代畜禽品种与古代种群间的亲缘关系。本研究旨在探索核DNA分析的可行性。研究人员从意大利中部考古遗址费伦托（Ferento）出土的1000年历史牛骨中提取了DNA。通过聚合酶链式反应（Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR）扩增联合国粮食及农业组织（Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO）推荐的15个微卫星标记，最终获得了4个标记的基因型数据。研究测得的期望杂合度与现代牛品种的水平相当，但由于等位基因丢失，观测杂合度被低估。遗传距离分析结果显示，该古代牛种群的遗传地位介于（1）安纳托利亚、巴尔干、西西里与南意大利牛种群之间，以及（2）伊比利亚、北欧与中欧牛种群之间，同时与意大利中部的两个牛品种——契安尼娜牛（Chianina）和罗马涅牛（Romagnola）——存在明确的亲缘关系。这表明上述两个意大利中部牛品种均源自当时栖息于该区域的中世纪牛种群。本研究结果证实了古代DNA技术在重构当地养牛业历史方面的应用潜力。