Archaeogenetic evidence of ancient nubian barley evolution from six to two-row indicates local adaptation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Archaeobotanical samples of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) found at Qasr Ibrim display a two-row phenotype that is unique to the region of archaeological sites upriver of the first cataract of the Nile, characterised by the development of distinctive lateral bracts. The phenotype occurs throughout all strata at Qasr Ibrim, which range in age from 3000 to a few hundred years.

Methodology and findings

We extracted ancient DNA from barley samples from the entire range of occupancy of the site, and studied the Vrs1 gene responsible for row number in extant barley. Surprisingly, we found a discord between the genotype and phenotype in all samples; all the barley had a genotype consistent with the six-row condition. These results indicate a six-row ancestry for the Qasr Ib

SUBMITTER: Palmer SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2707625 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature