| Summary: | Humans share a unique bond with dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) that is unrivaled by any other domesticated animal. The early history of this relationship remains unclear and detailed genetic study of early dog breeds is limited. Several studies using nuclear markers and small sample sizes have identified the Saluki as one of the oldest, extant dog breeds. This is supported by archaeological data, which age the history of the Saluki in Southwest Asia between 7,000 and 9,000 BP. I used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences (hypervariable region I), Y chromosome short tandem repeats (STRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as well as autosomal microsatellite loci to provide a more comprehensive study of the Saluki's history. My study compared purebred, "modern" Salukis from the U.S. and South Africa to Salukis of Southwest Asia (Israel and Iran), and additionally compared these populations to feral, village dogs of Southwest Asia and a range of purebred dogs. This design offered insight into effects of breeding practices and the relationship of Salukis to other dog groups. Emphasis was placed on Y chromosome data, which offer an intermediary mutation rate for populations of this evolutionary timescale. All three molecular markers supported the hypothesis that Southwest Asian Salukis maintain their indigenous ancestry. U.S. Salukis displayed the effects of modern breeding practices at the mtDNA and microsatellite level, but only Y chromosome data confirmed their shared lineage with Salukis of Southwest Asia. Further, Y chromosome analysis showed evidence of considerable genetic isolation of Salukis from all other purebred dogs (72 different breeds) with the exception of the Afghan Hound. Overall, all three markers used in this study demonstrated that the four Saluki populations studied share a unique history and distinct population structure compared to any other breed, and additionally share a long lineage with feral, village dogs of Southwest Asia. Age estimates of two Y chromosome Saluki and village dog ...
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