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- Convenor:
-
Marko Mutanen
(University of Oulu)
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- Formats:
- Panel
- Streams:
- Deeper Histories, Diverse Sources, Different Narratives
- Location:
- Linnanmaa Campus, SÄ102
- Sessions:
- Tuesday 20 August, -
Time zone: Europe/Helsinki
Short Abstract:
Scientific study of historical samples such as bones often includes an attempt to identify species they are made of. Unprecedented progress on DNA sequencing technologies has opened completely new avenues to study various historical samples. The session provides a broad overview of this development.
Long Abstract:
DNA sequencing technologies have recently shown unprecedented progress with regards to their capacity and accuracy. Consequently, this important transition has made possible to recover genetic information from ancient samples such a bones or wooden artifacts, and identify which species they are made of. Similarly, species compositions of historical environmental samples such as permafrost can be elucidated. Only imagination restricts how the rise of such tools can be applied across the variety of fields and to address research questions focusing on environment and history. This potential can best be maximized through a transdisciplinary approaches and citizens and scholar representing many disciplines co-creatively and innovatively combine their forces. In this panel, examples of such works are presented in order to awake discussion and inspire new transdisciplinary research initiatives.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Tuesday 20 August, 2024, -Paper short abstract:
Mitochondrial DNA and stable isotope analyses of archaeological horses from Finland, Lithuania and Russia reveal multiple maternal genetic lineages and differences in feeding practices or vegetation in time and space.
Paper long abstract:
We studied mitochondrial DNA and/or stable isotopes of archaeologic horse bones and teeth from three countries, Finland (N = 14), Lithuania (N = 16) and Russia (N = 14). The ages of the bones from Finland were from 1008 - 246 cal BP, from Lithuania from 5080 - 259 cal BP and from Russia (Tatarstan) 3120 – 1620 cal BP. Of the 18 haplogroups found from modern horse, we have thus far detected four (haplogroups B, G, J and N), comprising of ten different haplotypes. Stable isotope values for delta13CIRMS(‰) varied between -23.4 - -22.1 in Finland and between -24.1 - -21.8 Lithuania, whereas delta15NIRMS(‰) varied between 4.4-6.2 in Finland and between 3.2 -5.5 in Lithuania. A principal component analysis of the stable isotope values together with the age of the samples suggested some grouping of these values according to the geographic location of the samples, when compared with available data of archaeological horse stable isotopes from Northern European countries in DIANA database. Both, the delta13C and delta15N values from Finland were in general somewhat lower than in other countries around the Baltic area and the delta15N values from Lithuania were found to present low values as well. These might indicate differences in the feeding practises or in the vegetation between the sites and times.
Paper short abstract:
Linnean taxonomy is over 260 years old scientific tradition. Type specimens link species names to biological species. In the genomics era, old type specimens often lack critical genetic information. Modern sequencing protocols bring type specimens available for genetic study as demonstrated here.
Paper long abstract:
The tradition of Linnean taxonomy is over 260 years old. Each species is provided with the so-called type specimen that is of high importance, because it provides as a link between the Linnaean binomen (species name) and the biological species unit. For example, when a species is split into two species, the type specimens determines which one of the two retains the given name and which one should be named as a new species. Presently, genetic information is of critical value in taxonomic work and species descriptions. However, tens of thousands of old type specimens lack DNA sequence information. This information is not easy to recover as DNA degrades over time. The so-called museomics approaches provide efficient ways to recover DNA sequence information from historical samples. In our research, we have tested old pinned museum samples, including type specimens, for museomics based DNA sequencing with good results. Old historical samples are easily contaminated with surrounding DNA, but under controlled experiments we could demonstrate that in most cases the recovered sequences truly originate from the historical sample. Analyses of historical specimens can be carried out in a non-destructive manner.
Paper short abstract:
We live in an era characterised by major environmental changes. The use of state-of-the-art paleogenomic methods can help us to better understand the effects of this changes on ecosystems and species, and thereby support the development of efficient conservation and habitat restoration actions.
Paper long abstract:
We live in an era characterised by major environmental changes. Safeguarding biodiversity and mitigating climate change effects are key challenges of today’s society and research communities. Over the last two decades new advances in molecular and sequencing technologies have enabled us to obtain DNA from samples, such as bone, teeth, soil or plant material, that have died and been stored in the soil or ice for tens- to hundreds of thousands of years. This not only allows us to decode genomes of long extinct species, but it also enables us to study species extinction and the effects of past environmental changes in “real time”. Here, I will outline how we use paleogenomic techniques to better understand demographic responses in key species, understand the genomic effects of species decline and extinction and support the development of efficient conservation actions. However, while allowing for new scientific discoveries, fast advancements in technologies are also increasing the gap between science, society and policy, which has been identified as one of the major obstacles to conservation and nature restauration. This calls for increased collaborations between all stakeholders and outreach activities to help others to make informed decisions about our Planet’s future.