Phylogeography of a Land Snail Suggests Trans-Mediterranean Neolithic Transport
Author Information
Author(s): Jesse Ruth, Véla Errol, Pfenninger Markus
Primary Institution: Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Hypothesis
What is the origin and dispersal sequence of the land snail Tudorella sulcata?
Conclusion
The study suggests that the land snail Tudorella sulcata was likely transported by Neolithic settlers from Sardinia to Algeria and then to France.
Supporting Evidence
- The origin of Tudorella sulcata was determined to be Sardinia.
- The study dated the geographic expansion to approximately 8,000 years ago.
- The findings suggest that non-domesticated species can provide insights into human migration patterns.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a type of land snail and found that it likely traveled with humans from one place to another a long time ago.
Methodology
Statistical phylogeographic analyses using mitochondrial COI and nuclear hsp70 haplotypes.
Limitations
The study relies on genetic data, which may not capture all historical dispersal events.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
10,000 to 3,000 years before present
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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