Ancient DNA: a promising tool for understanding the evolutionary history and human pressure in the highly endangered limpet Patella ferruginea

Abstract

Abstract The use of ancient DNA has been proved as a powerful tool in phylogeny and phylogeographic studies. Nonetheless, its application in the field of conservation has been limited. Moreover, marine mollusc shells are well-preserved in the fossil record, providing invaluable information about the past. However, the extraction of DNA from ancient shells constitutes a challenge and only recently it has performed. In this context, Patella ferruginea has been the target of intense research due to its endangered status in the Mediterranean, with several genetic approaches always using fresh soft tissue samples. In the present study and for the first time, DNA from shells either modern and ancient has been successfully extracted and sequenced in this species indicating that COI haplotypes were the same than those already sequenced in previous studies based on those fresh soft tissue samples. The fact that DNA retrieved from the Middle Age had been sequenced in this species, promotes further research to compare genetic diversity between ancient and present populations to assess the impact of glacial periods or human harvesting in sharping the genetic diversity in this flagship species.