Dokdo sea lion Zalophus japonicus genome reveals its evolutionary trajectory before extinction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Dokdo sea lion (Zalophus japonicus), commonly referred to as Gangchi in Korea and the Japanese sea lion internationally, was endemic to the Northwest Pacific before its extinction in the 1950s. However, its origins, speciation, and genetic diversity remain poorly understood.

Results

To address this, we sequenced DNA from 16 Z. japonicus bone fragments, obtained from Dokdo and Ulleungdo islands in Korea. Our genome-wide SNP analyses reveal Z. japonicus as the earliest diverged species within its genus, redefining its evolutionary relationship with the California (Z. californianus) and Galapagos (Z. wollebaeki) sea lions. Our research further elucidates the phylogeny of Z. japonicus, shedding light on the complexity of the genetic isolation process within its ge

SUBMITTER: Kim J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12317591 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature