Evolutionary history of enigmatic bears in the Tibetan Plateau-Himalaya region and the identity of the yeti.

ABSTRACT: Although anecdotally associated with local bears (Ursus arctos and U. thibetanus), the exact identity of 'hominid'-like creatures important to folklore and mythology in the Tibetan Plateau-Himalaya region is still surrounded by mystery. Recently, two purported yeti samples from the Himalayas showed genetic affinity with an ancient polar bear, suggesting they may be from previously unrecognized, possibly hybrid, bear species, but this preliminary finding has been under question. We conducted a comprehensive genetic survey of field-collected and museum specimens to explore their identity and ultimately infer the evolutionary history of bears in the region. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences determined clade affinities of the purported yeti samples in this stud

SUBMITTER: Lan T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5740279 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature