Monday, 25 October 2010
Fossil eggshell has widely been regarded as being 'devoid' of DNA, however Charlotte Oskam from the Ancient DNA Laboratory at Murdoch University, with the help of microscopy techniques at CMCA, has isolated fossil avian DNA from eggshells. Charlotte will discuss insights into extinction processes gained from the recent discovery.
Avian eggshells are frequently described in palaeontological and archaeological deposits around the world. Their resilient nature prevents destructive taphonomic processes, which is why eggshell is a preferred substrate for reconstructing paleodiets and geochronology, via stable isotope profiles.
The abundance of eggshell in archaeological middens also attests to their nutritional value. In the last decade, the biological substrates from which ancient DNA (aDNA) can be isolated has expanded, however, fossil eggshell despite their excellent biomolecular preservation was widely regarded as being ‘devoid' of DNA. Here we present, with molecular and confocal imaging techniques, how aDNA from fossil avian eggshell can be isolated, even from a number of hostile environments, such as Madagascar and Australia for up to 19,000 years.
In addition, to demonstrate the utility of this discovery, we investigated a significant archaeological site (Wairau Bar) in New Zealand. When humans arrived in New Zealand ~700 years ago, large flightless herbivorous birds, the moa (Ave: Dinornithiformes), soon became their principal food source as evidenced by vast quantities of moa bone and eggshell excavated from middens. Unfortunately, the moa became extinct within only a century or so.
This presentation will showcase how mtDNA sequences and DNA profiling (using STRs) of fossil eggshell collected from Wairau Bar, can provide valuable archaeological insights into hunting practices and extinction processes.
WHEN: Thursday 11 November, 4.00-5.30pm
WHERE: CMCA Seminar Room, Level 1, Physics Building
CONTACT: Dana Crisan (Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis) (+61 8) 6488 2770
Refreshments provided.
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