Evolutionary and phylogenetic insights from a nuclear genome sequence of the extinct, giant, “subfossil” koala lemurMegaladapis edwardsi
Authors:
- Stephanie MarciniakSMStephanie Marciniak
- Laurie R. GodfreyLaurie R. Godfrey
- Richard J. BankoffRichard J. Bankoff
- Brooke E. CrowleyBrooke E. Crowley
- Christina M. BergeyChristina M. Bergey
- Brigitte M. RaharivololonaBRBrigitte M. Raharivololona
- Stephan C. SchusterStephan C. Schuster
- Ripan S. MalhiRipan S. Malhi
Open Access
- 23 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Vol. 118 (26)
Abstract
Significance: Based on “subfossil” skeletal remains it is known that multiple now-extinct giant lemur (primate) species with estimated body masses of up to ∼160 kg survived on Madagascar into the past millennium. In this study, we used ancient DNA methods to sequence the nuclear genome of one of these megafaunal lemurs,Megaladapis edwardsi(∼85 kg). With the power of the nuclear genome, we robustly resolved the phylogenetic relationship betweenMegaladapisand other lemurs, which had been a lingering uncertainty. We also identified multiple signatures of past positive natural selection across theM. edwardsigenome that support reconstructions of this taxon as a large-bodied, specialized folivore.Keywords
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Funding Information
- National Science Foundation (BCS-1317163)
- National Science Foundation (BCS-1554834)
- National Science Foundation (BCS-1750598)
- National Science Foundation (BCS-1749676)
- Ahmanson Foundation (NA)
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