Using ancient DNA to study the origins and dispersal of ancestral Polynesian chickens across the Pacific

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1320412111
• Publication Date: 2014-03-18T05:41:09Z
• Authors: Vicki A. Thomson; Ophélie Lebrasseur; Jeremy J. Austin; Terry L. Hunt; David A. Burney; Tim Denham; Nicolas J. Rawlence; Jamie R. Wood; Jaime Gongora; Linus Girdland Flink; Anna Linderholm; Keith Dobney; Greger Larson; Alan Cooper
• Keywords: Ancient DNA; Micronesian

Significance Ancient DNA sequences from chickens provide an opportunity to study their human-mediated dispersal across the Pacific due significant genetic diversity and range of archaeological material available. We analyze ancient modern reveal that previous studies have been impacted by contamination with chicken and, as a result, there is no evidence for Polynesian pre-Columbian South America. identify markers authentic use them model early dispersals Pacific. find connections between in Micronesian Bismarck Islands, but these were involved further east. also clues about origins Philippines.