Genetic studies on prehistoric translocations of chickens in the Indo-Pacific
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Date
2015
Authors
Herrera, Michael James Bannister
Editors
Advisors
Austin, Jeremy James
Thonson, Vicki
Cooper, Alan
Thonson, Vicki
Cooper, Alan
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Abstract
The study conducted in this thesis examines the genetic population history of chickens in the Indo-Pacific region in order to infer the prehistoric human-mediated translocation of chickens and investigate whether the dispersal history of chickens in this region parallels the Austronesian expansion. The research focuses on chicken populations found in Island Southeast Asia, Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean – regions where Austronesian languages are spoken. The islands and archipelagos found in this region are separated by vast distances of ocean, thus the dispersal of chickens within this region is mediated only through human agency. The geographic distribution of genetic variation in chickens of this region is due only to humans translocating chickens during their voyages, thus this genetic information can be utilised to examine the expansion of the Austronesian-speaking people. A genetic survey that spans two oceans is challenging, thus the study relied mostly on modern chicken DNA and available ancient DNA to reconstruct events that transpired several millennia ago. The use of modern DNA allowed comparison with reference sequences from across the globe, whereas ancient DNA allowed population continuity to be tested – i.e., whether the modern specimen still represents past populations. The phylogeographic and population genetic analyses on these chickens provided unparalleled insights into the prehistoric translocation history of chickens in the Indo-Pacific region. These have allowed us to confirm the Philippine homeland of the Polynesian chickens and find the east African proximate population source for chickens in Madagascar. Furthermore, the study supports that chickens were dispersed into the Pacific along with the Austronesian expansion, but not in the Indian Ocean. The study also revealed original insights and highlights the complex picture about the population history and human-mediated dispersals of chickens in the Indo-Pacific. This complexity is brought by the fact that the prehistoric translocation of chickens cannot be solely attributed to one dominant human group or expansion event that occurred in the region. Therefore, it is paramount to use archaeological and linguistic narratives to explain the genetics of chickens and reach the best inference possible about their history. This research demonstrates the usefulness of using genetic studies on chickens in elucidating the origins and routes of prehistoric translocations and Austronesian expansion in the Indo-Pacific. This study advances our knowledge about prehistoric dispersal of chickens in the Indo-Pacific region and will precipitate exciting new avenues of research.
School/Discipline
School of Biological Sciences
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Ph.D.) (Research by Publication) -- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, 2015.
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This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals