A benchmarking of human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup classifiers from whole-genome and whole-exome sequence data.

The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is of interest for a range of fields including evolutionary, forensic, and medical genetics. Human mitogenomes can be classified into evolutionary related haplogroups that provide ancestral information and pedigree relationships. Because of this and the advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology, there is a diversity of bioinformatic tools for haplogroup classification. We present a benchmarking of the 11 most salient tools for human mtDNA classification using empirical whole-genome (WGS) and whole-exome (WES) short-read sequencing data from 36 unrelated donors. We also assessed the best performing tool in third-generation long noisy read WGS data obtained with nanopore technology for a subset of the donors. We found that, for short-read WGS, most of the tools exhibit high accuracy for haplogroup classification irrespective of the input file used for the analysis. However, for short-read WES, Haplocheck and MixEmt were the most accurate tools. Based on the performance shown for WGS and WES, and the accompanying qualitative assessment, Haplocheck stands out as the most complete tool. For third-generation HTS data, we also showed that Haplocheck was able to accurately retrieve mtDNA haplogroups for all samples assessed, although only after following assembly-based approaches (either based on a referenced-based assembly or a hybrid de novo assembly). Taken together, our results provide guidance for researchers to select the most suitable tool to conduct the mtDNA analyses from HTS data.

Genomic skimming and nanopore sequencing uncover cryptic hybridization in one of world's most threatened primates.

The Brazilian buffy-tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix aurita), one of the world's most endangered primates, is threatened by anthropogenic hybridization with exotic, invasive marmoset species. As there are few genetic data available for C. aurita, we developed a PCR-free protocol with minimal technical requirements to rapidly generate genomic data with genomic skimming and portable nanopore sequencing. With this direct DNA sequencing approach, we successfully determined the complete mitogenome of a marmoset that we initially identified as C. aurita. The obtained nanopore-assembled sequence was highly concordant with a Sanger sequenced version of the same mitogenome. Phylogenetic analyses unexpectedly revealed that our specimen was a cryptic hybrid, with a C. aurita phenotype and C. penicillata mitogenome lineage. We also used publicly available mitogenome data to determine diversity estimates for C. aurita and three other marmoset species. Mitogenomics holds great potential to address deficiencies in genomic data for endangered, non-model species such as C. aurita. However, we discuss why mitogenomic approaches should be used in conjunction with other data for marmoset species identification. Finally, we discuss the utility and implications of our results and genomic skimming/nanopore approach for conservation and evolutionary studies of C. aurita and other marmosets.

Genetic and phylogeographic evidence for Jewish Holocaust victims at the Sobibór death camp.

Six million Jews were killed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II. Archaeological excavations in the area of the death camp in Sobibór, Poland, revealed ten sets of human skeletal remains presumptively assigned to Polish victims of the totalitarian regimes. However, their genetic analyses indicate that the remains are of Ashkenazi Jews murdered as part of the mass extermination of European Jews by the Nazi regime and not of otherwise hypothesised non-Jewish partisan combatants. In accordance with traditional Jewish rite, the remains were reburied in the presence of a Rabbi at the place of their discovery.

Matrilineal diversity and population history of Norwegians.

BACKGROUND: While well known for its Viking past, Norway's population history and the influences that have shaped its genetic diversity are less well understood. This is particularly true with respect to its demography, migration patterns, and dialectal regions, despite there being curated historical records for the past several centuries. In this study, we undertook an analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity within the country to elaborate this history from a matrilineal genetic perspective. METHODS: We aggregated 1174 partial modern Norwegian mtDNA sequences from the published literature and subjected them to detailed statistical and phylogenetic analysis by dialectal regions and localities. We further contextualized the matrilineal ancestry of modern Norwegians with data from Mesolithic, Iron Age, and historic period populations. RESULTS: Modern Norwegian mtDNAs fell into eight West Eurasian (N, HV, JT, I, U, K, X, W), five East Eurasian (A, F, G, N11, Z), and one African (L2) haplogroups. Pairwise analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) estimates for all Norwegians indicated they were differentiated from each other at 1.68% (p < 0.001). Norwegians within the same dialectal region also showed genetic similarities to each other, although differences between subpopulations within dialectal regions were also observed. In addition, certain mtDNA lineages in modern Norwegians were also found among prehistoric and historic period populations, suggesting some level of genetic continuity over hundreds to many thousands of years. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of mtDNA diversity provides a detailed picture of the genetic variation within Norway in light of its topography, settlement history, and historical migrations over the past several centuries.

Ancient and modern mitogenomes from Central Argentina: new insights into population continuity, temporal depth and migration in South America.

The inverted triangle shape of South America places Argentina territory as a geographical crossroads between the two principal peopling streams that followed either the Pacific or the Atlantic coasts, which could have then merged in Central Argentina (CA). Although the genetic diversity from this region is therefore crucial to decipher past population movements in South America, its characterization has been overlooked so far. We report 92 modern and 22 ancient mitogenomes spanning a temporal range of 5000 years, which were compared with a large set of previously reported data. Leveraging this dataset representative of the mitochondrial diversity of the subcontinent, we investigate the maternal history of CA populations within a wider geographical context. We describe a large number of novel clades within the mitochondrial DNA tree, thus providing new phylogenetic interpretations for South America. We also identify several local clades of great temporal depth with continuity until the present time, which stem directly from the founder haplotypes, suggesting that they originated in the region and expanded from there. Moreover, the presence of lineages characteristic of other South American regions reveals the existence of gene flow to CA. Finally, we report some lineages with discontinuous distribution across the Americas, which suggest the persistence of relic lineages likely linked to the first population arrivals. The present study represents to date the most exhaustive attempt to elaborate a Native American genetic map from modern and ancient complete mitochondrial genomes in Argentina and provides relevant information about the general process of settlement in South America.

Mitochondrial genome diversity on the Central Siberian Plateau with particular reference to the prehistory of northernmost Eurasia.

The Central Siberian Plateau was the last geographic area in Eurasia to become habitable by modern humans after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Through a comprehensive dataset of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes retained in the remnats of earlier ("Old") Siberians, primarily the Ket, Tofalar, and Todzhi, we explored genetic links between the Yenisei-Sayan region and Northeast Eurasia (best represented by the Yukaghir) over the last 10,000 years. We generated 218 new complete mtDNA sequences and placed them into compound phylogenies with 7 newly obtained and 70 published ancient mitochondrial genomes. We have considerably extended the mtDNA sequence diversity (at the entire mtDNA genome level) of autochthonous Siberians, which remain poorly sampled, and these new data may have a broad impact on the study of human migration. We compared present-day mtDNA diversity in these groups with complete mitochondrial genomes from ancient samples from the region and placed the samples into combined genealogical trees. The resulting components were used to clarify the origins and expansion history of mtDNA lineages that evolved in the refugia of south-central Siberia and beyond, as well as multiple phases of connection between this region and distant parts of Eurasia.

Enhancing mitogenomic phylogeny and resolving the relationships of extinct megafaunal placental mammals.

Mitochondrial genomes provided the first widely used sequences that were sufficiently informative to resolve relationships among animals across a wide taxonomic domain, from within species to between phyla. However, mitogenome studies supported several anomalous relationships and fell partly out of favour as sequencing multiple, independent nuclear loci proved to be highly effective. A tendency to blame mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has overshadowed efforts to understand and ameliorate underlying model misspecification. Here we find that influential assessments of the infidelity of mitogenome phylogenies have often been overstated, but nevertheless, substitution saturation and compositional non-stationarity substantially mislead reconstruction. We show that RY coding the mtDNA, excluding protein-coding 3rd codon sites, partitioning models based on amino acid hydrophobicity and enhanced taxon sampling improve the accuracy of mitogenomic phylogeny reconstruction for placental mammals, almost to the level of multi-gene nuclear datasets. Indeed, combined analysis of mtDNA with 3-fold longer nuclear sequence data either maintained or improved upon the nuclear support for all generally accepted clades, even those that mtDNA alone did not favour, thus indicating "hidden support". Confident mtDNA phylogeny reconstruction is especially important for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of mitochondria themselves, and for merging extinct taxa into the tree of life, with ancient DNA often only accessible as mtDNA. Our ancient mtDNA analyses lend confidence to the relationships of three extinct megafaunal taxa: glyptodonts are nested within armadillos, the South American ungulate, Macrauchenia is sister to horses and rhinoceroses, and sabre-toothed and scimitar cats are the monophyletic sister-group of modern cats.

Phylogenomics, biogeography and taxonomic revision of New Guinean pythons (Pythonidae, Leiopython) harvested for international trade.

The large and enigmatic New Guinean pythons in the genus Leiopython are harvested from the wild to supply the international trade in pets. Six species are currently recognized (albertisii, biakensis, fredparkeri, huonensis, meridionalis, montanus) but the taxonomy of this group has been controversial. We combined analysis of 421 nuclear loci and complete mitochondrial genomes with morphological data to construct a detailed phylogeny of this group, understand their biogeographic patterns and establish the systematic diversity of this genus. Our molecular genetic data support two major clades, corresponding to L. albertisii and L. fredparkeri, but offer no support for the other four species. Our morphological data also only support two species. We therefore recognize L. albertisii and L. fredparkeri as valid species and place L. biakensis, L. meridionalis, L. huonensis and L. montanus into synonymy. We found that L. albertisii and L. fredparkeri are sympatric in western New Guinea; an atypical pattern compared to other Papuan species complexes in which the distributions of sister taxa are partitioned to the north and south of the island's central mountain range. For the purpose of conservation management, overestimation of species diversity within Leiopython has resulted in the unnecessary allocation of resources that could have been expended elsewhere. We strongly caution against revising the taxonomy of geographically widespread species groups when little or no molecular genetic data and only small morphological samples are available.

Unraveling the history of the genus Gallus through whole genome sequencing.

The genus Gallus is distributed across a large part of Southeast Asia and has received special interest because the domestic chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus, has spread all over the world and is a major protein source for humans. There are four species: the red junglefowl (G. gallus), the green junglefowl (G. varius), the Lafayette's junglefowl (G. lafayettii) and the grey junglefowl (G. sonneratii). The aim of this study is to reconstruct the history of these species by a whole genome sequencing approach and resolve inconsistencies between well supported topologies inferred using different data and methods. Using deep sequencing, we identified over 35 million SNPs and reconstructed the phylogeny of the Gallus genus using both distance (BioNJ) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. We observed discrepancies according to reconstruction methods and genomic components. The two most supported topologies were previously reported and were discriminated by using phylogenetic and gene flow analyses, based on ABBA statistics. Terminology fix requested by the deputy editor led to support a scenario with G. gallus as the earliest branching lineage of the Gallus genus, instead of G. varius. We discuss the probable causes for the discrepancy. A likely one is that G. sonneratii samples from parks or private collections are all recent hybrids, with roughly 10% of their autosomal genome originating from G. gallus. The removal of those regions is needed to provide reliable data, which was not done in previous studies. We took care of this and additionally included two wild G. sonneratii samples from India, showing no trace of introgression. This reinforces the importance of carefully selecting and validating samples and genomic components in phylogenomics.

Phylogenomic study and classification of mitochondrial DNA through virtual genomic fingerprints.

In the present study, we evaluated the ability of the Virtual Analysis Method for Phylogenomic fingerprint Estimation (VAMPhyRE) toolkit to classify human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups. In total, 357 random mtDNA sequences were obtained from different haplogroups, based on the classification of PhyloTree. Additionally, we included a control group of five sequences (Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes, Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, Yoruba15, and the revised Cambridge reference sequence). VAMPhyRE employs a virtual hybridization technique, using probes that specifically bind to their complementary sequences in the genome. We used 65,536 probes of 8 nucleotides to identify potential sites where hybridization occurs between the mtDNA and the specific probe, forming different heteroduplexes and thus, creating a unique and specific genomic fingerprint for each sequence. Genomic fingerprints were compared, and a table of distances was calculated to obtain a mitochondrial phylogenomic tree with the macrohaplogroups, L, N, M, and R, and their corresponding haplogroups, according to universal nomenclature. The results obtained suggest an accuracy of 97.25% for the distribution of the 357 mtDNA sequences in the four macrohaplogroups and their corresponding haplogroups when compared with other mtDNA classification tools that require reference sequences and do not offer an analysis based on an evolutionary approach. These data are available online at http://biomedbiotec.encb.ipn.mx/VAMPhyRE/.

A workflow with R: Phylogenetic analyses and visualizations using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences.

Phylogenetic analyses can provide a wealth of information about the past demography of a population and the level of genetic diversity within and between species. By using special computer programs developed in recent years, large amounts of data have been produced in the molecular genetics area. To analyze these data, powerful new methods based on large computations have been applied in various software packages and programs. But these programs have their own specific input and output formats, and users need to create different input formats for almost every program. R is an open source software environment, and it supports open contribution and modification to its libraries. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform several analyses using a single input file format. In this article, by using the multiple sequences FASTA format file (.fas extension) we demonstrate and share a workflow of how to extract haplotypes and perform phylogenetic analyses and visualizations in R. As an example dataset, we used 120 Bombus terrestris dalmatinus mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cyt b) sequences (373 bp) collected from eight different beehives in Antalya. This article presents a short guide on how to perform phylogenetic analyses using R and RStudio.

Distinguishing mitochondrial DNA and NUMT sequences amplified with the precision ID mtDNA whole genome panel.

Nuclear mitochondrial DNA segments (NUMTs) are generated via transfer of portions of the mitochondrial genome into the nuclear genome. Given their common origin, there is the possibility that both the mitochondrial and NUMT segments may co-amplify using the same set of primers. Thus, analysis of the variation of the mitochondrial genome must take into account this co-amplification of mitochondrial and NUMT sequences. The study herein builds on data from the study by Strobl et al. (Strobl et al., 2019), in which multiple point heteroplasmies were called with an "N" to prevent labeling NUMT sequences mimicking mitochondrial heteroplasmy and being interpreted as true mitochondrial in origin sequence variants. Each of these point heteroplasmies was studied in greater detail, both molecularly and bioinformatically, to determine whether NUMT or true mitochondrial DNA variation was present. The bioinformatic and molecular tools available to help distinguish between NUMT and mitochondrial DNA and the effect of NUMT sequences on interpretation were discussed.

Ancient genomes in South Patagonia reveal population movements associated with technological shifts and geography.

Archaeological research documents major technological shifts among people who have lived in the southern tip of South America (South Patagonia) during the last thirteen millennia, including the development of marine-based economies and changes in tools and raw materials. It has been proposed that movements of people spreading culture and technology propelled some of these shifts, but these hypotheses have not been tested with ancient DNA. Here we report genome-wide data from 20 ancient individuals, and co-analyze it with previously reported data. We reveal that immigration does not explain the appearance of marine adaptations in South Patagonia. We describe partial genetic continuity since ~6600 BP and two later gene flows correlated with technological changes: one between 4700-2000 BP that affected primarily marine-based groups, and a later one impacting all <2000 BP groups. From ~2200-1200 BP, mixture among neighbors resulted in a cline correlated to geographic ordering along the coast.

Distribution of maternal lineages in hunter-gatherer societies of the southern coast of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to explore the maternal genetic diversity of hunter-gatherers of the southern Tierra del Fuego, specifically the north coast of Beagle Channel, the Península Mitre, and Isla de los Estados through ancient mitochondrial DNA analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hypervariable regions 1 and 2 of the mitochondrial genome of five individuals from the north coast of Beagle Channel, six individuals from Península Mitre, and one individual from Isla de los Estados were analyzed. Through diversity statistics, Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), and Median Joining networks analyses, maternal relationships in the region were evaluated and phylogenetic similarities between ancient and contemporary populations of Tierra del Fuego were determined. RESULTS: The mitochondrial DNA lineages from the ancient individuals analyzed reveals the presence of subclades C1b and D1g. Pattern of decreasing genetic diversity toward the South is observed. The AMOVAs performed found no statistically significant differences between individuals of the north coast of Beagle Channel and Península Mitre-Isla de los Estados, and modern Yámana populations. Median joining network of haplotypes of clades C1 and D1g, show the same results. DISCUSSION: Ethnohistoric and ethnographic records of Península Mitre show that this region was occupied during the 19th century by Haush or Manekenk populations, although their biological, cultural, and subsistence characterization is unclear. We explore their maternal lineages and encounter low levels of genetic diversity and the absence of population differentiation with modern Yámana groups. We suggest that Península Mitre-Isla de los Estado was part of the same hunting and gathering populations as those of the Beagle Channel.

Paleolithic genetic link between Southern China and Mainland Southeast Asia revealed by ancient mitochondrial genomes.

The genetic history of Southern East Asians is not well-known, especially prior to the Neolithic period. To address this, we successfully sequenced two complete mitochondrial genomes of 11,000-year-old human individuals from Southern China, thus generating the oldest ancient DNA sequences from this area. Integrating published mitochondrial genomes, we characterized M71d, a new subhaplogroup of haplogroup M71. Our results suggest a possible early migration between Southern China and mainland Southeast Asia by at least 22,000 BP.

Genome-wide data reveal discordant mitonuclear introgression in the intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis).

Closely related taxa often exhibit mitonuclear discordance attributed to introgression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), yet few studies have considered the underlying causes of mtDNA introgression. Here we test for demographic versus adaptive processes as explanations for mtDNA introgression in three subspecies of the intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis). We generated sequences of 1692 nuclear genes and 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes for 48 individuals. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on 320 exon sequences and 2217 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) both revealed conflicts between the species tree and mtDNA tree. These results, together with geographic patterns of mitonuclear discordance, and shared identical or near-identical mtDNA sequences, suggest extensive introgression of mtDNA between the two parapatric mainland subspecies. Under demographic hypotheses, we would also expect to uncover traces of ncDNA introgression, however, population structure and gene flow analyses revealed little nuclear admixture. Furthermore, we found inconsistent estimates of the timing of population expansion and that of the most recent common ancestor for the clade containing introgressed haplotypes. Without a clear demographic explanation, we also examined whether introgression likely arises from adaptation. We found that five mtDNA genes contained fixed amino acid differences between introgressed and non-introgressed individuals, including putative positive selection found in one codon, although this did not show introgression. While our evidence for rejecting demographic hypotheses is arguably stronger than that for rejecting adaptation, we find no definitive support for either explanation. Future efforts will focus on larger-scale resequencing to decipher the underlying causes of discordant mitonuclear introgression in this system.

Geographic Life History Differences Predict Genomic Divergence Better than Mitochondrial Barcodes or Phenotype.

Species diversity can be inferred using multiple data types, however, results based on genetic data can be at odds with patterns of phenotypic variation. Tiger beetles of the Cicindelidiapolitula (LeConte, 1875) species complex have been taxonomically problematic due to extreme phenotypic variation within and between populations. To better understand the biology and taxonomy of this group, we used mtDNA genealogies and multilocus nuclear analyses of 34,921 SNPs to elucidate its evolutionary history and evaluate the validity of phenotypically circumscribed species and subspecies. Genetic analyses recovered two divergent species that are also ecologically distinct, based on adult life history. These patterns are incongruous with the phenotypic variation that informed prior taxonomy, and most subspecies were not supported as distinct evolutionary lineages. One of the nominal subspecies was found to be a cryptic species; consequently, we elevate C. p.laetipennis (Horn, 1913) to a full species. Although nuclear and mtDNA datasets recovered broadly similar evolutionary units, mito-nuclear discordance was more common than expected, being observed between nearly all geographically overlapping taxonomic pairs. Additionally, a pattern of 'mitochondrial displacement' was observed, where mitochondria from one species unidirectionally displace others. Overall, we found that geographically associated life history factors better predict genomic divergence than phenotype and mitochondrial genealogies, and consequently taxon identifications based on mtDNA (e.g., DNA barcodes) may be misleading.

MtDNA polymorphism analyses in the Chinese Mongolian group: Efficiency evaluation and further matrilineal genetic structure exploration.

BACKGROUND: Profiling of mitochondrial DNA is surely to provide valuable investigative clues for forensic cases involving highly degraded specimens or complex maternal lineage kinship determination. But traditionally used hypervariable region sequencing of mitochondrial DNA is less frequently suggested by the forensic community for insufficient informativeness. Genome-wide sequencing of mitochondrial DNA can provide considerable amount of variant information but can be high cost at the same time. METHODS: Efficiency of the 60 mitochondrial DNA polymorphic sites dispersing across the control region and coding region of mitochondrial DNA genome was evaluated with 106 Mongolians recruited from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, and allele-specific PCR technique was employed for mitochondrial DNA typing. RESULTS: Altogether 58 haplotypes were observed and the haplotypic diversity, discrimination power and random match probability were calculated to be 0.981, 0.972, and 0.028, respectively. Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup affiliation exhibited an exceeding percentage (12.26%) of west Eurasian lineage (H haplogroup) in the studied Mongolian group, which needed to be further verified with more samples. Furthermore, the genetic relationships between the Xinjiang Mongolian group and the comparison populations were also investigated and the genetic affinity was discovered between the Xinjiang Mongolian group and the Xinjiang Kazak group in this study. CONCLUSION: It was indicated that the panel was potentially enough to be used as a supplementary tool for forensic applications. And the matrilineal genetic structure analyses based on mitochondrial DNA variants in the Xinjiang Mongolian group could be helpful for subsequent anthropological studies.

Speciation, gene flow, and seasonal migration in Catharus thrushes (Aves:Turdidae).

New World thrushes in the genus Catharus are small, insectivorous or omnivorous birds that have been used to explore several important questions in avian evolution, including the evolution of seasonal migration and plumage variation. Within Catharus, members of a clade of obligate long-distance migrants (C. fuscescens, C. minimus, and C. bicknelli) have also been used in the development of heteropatric speciation theory, a divergence process in which migratory lineages (which might occur in allopatry or sympatry during portions of their annual cycle) diverge despite low levels of gene flow. However, research on Catharus relationships has thus far been restricted to the use of small genetic datasets, which provide limited resolution of both phylogenetic and demographic histories. We used a large, multi-locus dataset from loci containing ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to study the demographic histories of the migratory C. fuscescens-minimus-bicknelli clade and to resolve the phylogeny of the migratory species of Catharus. Our dataset included more than 2000 loci and over 1700 variable genotyped sites, and analyses supported our prediction of divergence with gene flow in the fully migratory clade, with significant gene flow among all three species. Our phylogeny of the genus differs from past work in its placement of C. ustulatus, and further analyses suggest historic gene flow throughout the genus, producing genetically reticulate (or network) phylogenies. This raises questions about trait origins and suggests that seasonal migration and the resulting migratory condition of heteropatry is likely to promote hybridization not only during pairwise divergence and speciation, but also among non-sisters.