Phylogenetic analysis of relationship between woolly mammoth and modern elephants using bioinformatics tools

Garg, Abhishek D. and Hippargi, Rajshekhar V. (2006) Phylogenetic analysis of relationship between woolly mammoth and modern elephants using bioinformatics tools. In: Global Sustainable 2nd Biotech Congress, an International Congress on Biotechnological Innovations & their Applications, 18-21 Dec 2006, Nagpur, India.

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Abstract

Majority of Proboscideans are extinct today, except the African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Along with them, Woolly Mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) has been one of the most well known extinct Proboscidean. Mammuthus, Elephas and Loxodonta are very closely related to each other, yet precise relationship amongst them has been a matter of great debate. Our investigation dealt with this issue. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and its products (e.g. protein) performed using BIO-neighbor joining and maximum parsimony (MP) methods coupled with restriction mapping of mtDNA, led us to conclusion that African elephant was a closer relative of Woolly Mammoth. Phylogenetic analysis of this nature may have profound applications in environmental conservation for avoiding population bottleneck and decline in genetic diversity. This can also help in proper planning of artificial animal introduction and/or transportation.

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