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Ancient proteins resolve controversy over the identity of Genyornis eggshell.

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cam.depositDate2022-06-05
cam.issuedOnline2022-05-24
cam.orpheus.success2022-06-06 - Embargo set during processing via Fast-track
dc.contributor.authorDemarchi, Beatrice
dc.contributor.authorStiller, Josefin
dc.contributor.authorGrealy, Alicia
dc.contributor.authorMackie, Meaghan
dc.contributor.authorDeng, Yuan
dc.contributor.authorGilbert, Tom
dc.contributor.authorClarke, Julia
dc.contributor.authorLegendre, Lucas J
dc.contributor.authorBoano, Rosa
dc.contributor.authorSicheritz-Pontén, Thomas
dc.contributor.authorMagee, John
dc.contributor.authorZhang, Guojie
dc.contributor.authorBunce, Michael
dc.contributor.authorCollins, Matthew James
dc.contributor.authorMiller, Gifford
dc.contributor.orcidDemarchi, Beatrice [0000-0002-8398-4409]
dc.contributor.orcidStiller, Josefin [0000-0001-6009-9581]
dc.contributor.orcidMackie, Meaghan [0000-0003-0763-7592]
dc.contributor.orcidLegendre, Lucas J [0000-0003-1343-8725]
dc.contributor.orcidZhang, Guojie [0000-0001-6860-1521]
dc.contributor.orcidCollins, Matthew James [0000-0003-4226-5501]
dc.contributor.orcidMiller, Gifford [0000-0002-8225-2740]
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-06T23:30:38Z
dc.date.available2022-06-06T23:30:38Z
dc.date.issued2022-10-25
dc.date.updated2022-06-05T11:46:32Z
dc.description.abstractThe realization that ancient biomolecules are preserved in "fossil" samples has revolutionized archaeological science. Protein sequences survive longer than DNA, but their phylogenetic resolution is inferior; therefore, careful assessment of the research questions is required. Here, we show the potential of ancient proteins preserved in Pleistocene eggshell in addressing a longstanding controversy in human and animal evolution: the identity of the extinct bird that laid large eggs which were exploited by Australia's indigenous people. The eggs had been originally attributed to the iconic extinct flightless bird Genyornis newtoni (†Dromornithidae, Galloanseres) and were subsequently dated to before 50 ± 5 ka by Miller et al. [Nat. Commun. 7, 10496 (2016)]. This was taken to represent the likely extinction date for this endemic megafaunal species and thus implied a role of humans in its demise. A contrasting hypothesis, according to which the eggs were laid by a large mound-builder megapode (Megapodiidae, Galliformes), would therefore acquit humans of their responsibility in the extinction of Genyornis. Ancient protein sequences were reconstructed and used to assess the evolutionary proximity of the undetermined eggshell to extant birds, rejecting the megapode hypothesis. Authentic ancient DNA could not be confirmed from these highly degraded samples, but morphometric data also support the attribution of the eggshell to Genyornis. When used in triangulation to address well-defined hypotheses, paleoproteomics is a powerful tool for reconstructing the evolutionary history in ancient samples. In addition to the clarification of phylogenetic placement, these data provide a more nuanced understanding of the modes of interactions between humans and their environment.
dc.format.mediumPrint-Electronic
dc.identifier.doi10.17863/CAM.85121
dc.identifier.eissn1091-6490
dc.identifier.issn0027-8424
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/337712
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Archaeology
dc.publisher.urlhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2109326119
dc.rightsAll Rights Reserved
dc.rights.urihttp://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectGenyornis eggshell
dc.subjectancient DNA
dc.subjectmegafaunal extinction
dc.subjectpaleoproteomics
dc.subjectAnimals
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectPhylogeny
dc.subjectEgg Shell
dc.subjectBirds
dc.subjectDNA
dc.subjectBiological Evolution
dc.subjectFossils
dc.subjectDNA, Ancient
dc.titleAncient proteins resolve controversy over the identity of Genyornis eggshell.
dc.typeArticle
dcterms.dateAccepted2021-12-20
prism.publicationDate2022
prism.publicationNameProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
prism.startingPagee2109326119
pubs.licence-display-nameApollo Repository Deposit Licence Agreement
pubs.licence-identifierapollo-deposit-licence-2-1
rioxxterms.typeJournal Article/Review
rioxxterms.versionAM
rioxxterms.versionofrecord10.1073/pnas.2109326119

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