Speciation and intrasubspecific variation of Bornean orangutans, Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus

Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences of orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) from six different populations on the island of Borneo were determined and analyzed for evidence of regional diversity and were compared separately with orangutans from the island of Sumatra. Within the Bornean population, fou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular biology and evolution 2001-04, Vol.18 (4), p.472-480
Main Authors: Warren, K S, Verschoor, E J, Langenhuijzen, S, Heriyanto, Swan, R A, Vigilant, L, Heeney, J L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Borneo
DNA, Mitochondrial - analysis
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
Genetic Variation
Indonesia
Phylogeny
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Pongo pygmaeus - classification
Pongo pygmaeus - genetics
Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus
Primates
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Software
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Summary:Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences of orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) from six different populations on the island of Borneo were determined and analyzed for evidence of regional diversity and were compared separately with orangutans from the island of Sumatra. Within the Bornean population, four distinct subpopulations were identified. Furthermore, the results of this study revealed marked divergence, supportive evidence of speciation between Sumatran and Bornean orangutans. This study demonstrates that, as an entire population, Bornean orangutans have not experienced a serious genetic bottleneck, which has been suggested as the cause of low diversity in humans and east African chimpanzees. Based on these new data, it is estimated that Bornean and Sumatran orangutans diverged approximately 1.1 MYA and that the four distinct Bornean populations diverged 860,000 years ago. These findings have important implications for management, breeding, and reintroduction practices in orangutan conservation efforts.
ISSN:0737-4038
1537-1719
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a003826