#Lycaon royal order windows#

The same phylogenetic tree topology was assumed, augmented with 44 directed migration bands (see Methods and Table S2 for details).

#Lycaon royal order windows#

A demographic model was inferred for the same species (excluding gray fox) by applying G-PhoCS to 11,112 putative neutral 1вЂ‰kb windows (dark gray, in foreground). ( a) A species tree was inferred by applying ASTRAL-III to 8,117 25вЂ‰kb-windows (light gray, in background), with internal nodes placed according to average genomic divergence estimated via MCMCTree and calibrated using two fossil priors (see Methods and Fig. The function of this highly individualistic coat pattern is uncertain but may represent an adaptation for concealment, communication or thermoregulation 7, 8, 9, 10.Д®volutionary history and adaptation in the African wild dog (AWD) and nine other species of canids.

1), which suggests the expression of a diversity of genes. Finally, AWDs exhibit one of the most variegated coats among mammals, with individuals uniquely differing in pigmentation pattern and color 6 (Fig. Fossil evidence suggests that the reduction of the first digit and transformation of the carnassial in AWDs evolved gradually during the Plio-Pleistocene 5. This feature is accompanied by the reduction or loss of post-carnassial molars, also a characteristic of hypercarnivorous canids 4. AWDs also show a transformation of the talonid on the lower first molar (carnassial) from a basin-like crushing depression into a trenchant heel or cutting blade for slicing flesh, which also occurs independently in two other hypercarnivorous canids, the bush dog ( Speothos venaticus) and the dhole ( Cuon alpinus). The dentition of the AWD is also exceptional, as the teeth are generally sectorial in shape and the premolars are the largest relative to body size of any living carnivoran except spotted hyenas 3. This trait increases their stride length and speed allowing them to pursue prey for long distances in open plain habitats and is unique among living canids 2. Along with a gracile appendicular skeleton, the most notable characteristic of AWDs is the loss of the first digit on the forefeet. Our results show that comparative genomics is a powerful tool for identifying the genetic basis of evolutionary changes in Canidae.ДЄmong the living species of Canidae, the African wild dog (hereafter, AWD) is considered to be the most specialized with regard to adaptations for cursoriality, diet, and coat coloration 1. Divergence time analyses suggest the suite of genomic changes we identified evolved ~1.7 Mya, coinciding with the diversification of large-bodied ungulates. African wild dog-specific signals of positive selection also uncovered a putative mechanism of molar cusp modification through changes in genes associated with the sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway, required for spatial patterning of teeth, and three genes associated with pigmentation.

Genome-wide scans revealed unique amino acid deletions that suggest a mode of evolutionary digit loss through expanded apoptosis in the developing first digit. Here, we used comparative genomic analysis to investigate the evolutionary history and genetic basis for adaptations associated with cursoriality, hypercanivory, and coat color variation in African wild dogs. In addition, this species is one of the few canids considered to be an obligate meat-eater, possessing a robust dentition for taking down large prey, and displays one of the most variable coat colorations amongst mammals. Within the Canidae, the African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus) is the most specialized with regards to cursorial adaptations (specialized for running), having only four digits on their forefeet.