Open AccessAttempted DNA extraction from a R ancho L a B rea C olumbian mammoth ( M ammuthus columbi ): prospects for ancient DNA from asphalt deposits
Author(s) -
Gold David A.,
Robinson Jacqueline,
Farrell Aisling B.,
Harris John M.,
Thalmann Olaf,
Jacobs David K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.928
Subject(s) - ancient dna , mammoth , dna , biology , chemistry , genetics , paleontology , medicine , population , environmental health
Fossil‐bearing asphalt deposits are an understudied and potentially significant source of ancient DNA . Previous attempts to extract DNA from skeletons preserved at the R ancho L a B rea tar pits in L os A ngeles, C alifornia, have proven unsuccessful, but it is unclear whether this is due to a lack of endogenous DNA , or if the problem is caused by asphalt‐mediated inhibition. In an attempt to test these hypotheses, a recently recovered C olumbian mammoth ( M ammuthus columbi ) skeleton with an unusual pattern of asphalt impregnation was studied. Ultimately, none of the bone samples tested successfully amplified M . columbi DNA . Our work suggests that reagents typically used to remove asphalt from ancient samples also inhibit DNA extraction. Ultimately, we conclude that the probability of recovering ancient DNA from fossils in asphalt deposits is strongly (perhaps fatally) hindered by the organic compounds that permeate the bones and that at the R ancho L a B rea tar pits, environmental conditions might not have been ideal for the general preservation of genetic material.