Genetic Analysis of Ancient Bison Mitochondrial DNA
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Zooarchaeology, Mitochondrial, Paleo-Environments
Abstract
The Kittitas Valley is located on what is considered the very periphery of the range in environments of which the species Bison bison can naturally survive. Since bison can be broken up into two separate sub-species, the Canadian Woodland Bison and the Great Plains Bison, it is my argument that by using genetic analysis of the mitochondrial DNA in the bones there is a potential for a better paleo-climatic model to be constructed for the Kittitas Valley. This project itself is broken up into two parts. The first part is to tell if it is possible to extract mitochondrial DNA from faunal remains found within the Kittitas Valley, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for mitochondrial DNA on ancient bison zooarchaeological remains. Assuming that mitochondrial DNA can be extracted using PCR, an analysis of the types of environments in which both those species currently live, would be able to help solidify a paleo-environmental model. However even if DNA is not extracted the bones can still help set up a paleo-environmental model that could be argued for at sites with bison remains.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Samuel, "Genetic Analysis of Ancient Bison Mitochondrial DNA" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 114.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/114
Poster Number
36
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology and Museum Studies
Genetic Analysis of Ancient Bison Mitochondrial DNA
SURC Ballroom C/D
The Kittitas Valley is located on what is considered the very periphery of the range in environments of which the species Bison bison can naturally survive. Since bison can be broken up into two separate sub-species, the Canadian Woodland Bison and the Great Plains Bison, it is my argument that by using genetic analysis of the mitochondrial DNA in the bones there is a potential for a better paleo-climatic model to be constructed for the Kittitas Valley. This project itself is broken up into two parts. The first part is to tell if it is possible to extract mitochondrial DNA from faunal remains found within the Kittitas Valley, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for mitochondrial DNA on ancient bison zooarchaeological remains. Assuming that mitochondrial DNA can be extracted using PCR, an analysis of the types of environments in which both those species currently live, would be able to help solidify a paleo-environmental model. However even if DNA is not extracted the bones can still help set up a paleo-environmental model that could be argued for at sites with bison remains.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Lorenz, Joseph