Abstract
Sled dogs represent a distinct but under investigated group of dog diversity, in which genome research has been limited by a lack of available data. By generating and investigating novel genomes from modern and ancient wolves and dogs, we present an evolutionary timeline of sled dogs in Arctic North American and Asia. We find that the sled dog lineage was established more than 9.500 years ago, and identify key adaptations and convergent evolution with other mammals in adaptation to the Arctic. We find that the pre-history of wolves in Siberia is complex, including several turnovers the last 50.000 years, but that now extinct wolf diversity lives on in particularly sled dogs. The future of sled dogs is uncertain and indigenous lineages are decreasing, combined this research provides a wealth of new knowledge about these dogs encouraging their conservation and herby keeping alive an extraordinary evolutionary history.
Mikkel Sinding
The Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College, Dublin/Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen.
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