Species Identification through aDNA Barcode Analysis of Salmon Bones of Central Washington Archaeological Sites
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
archaeology, molecular, DNA
Abstract
Salmon bones found at archaeological sites have historically been very difficult to identify, by osteometric identification. While research has been conducted that uses DNA comparison to validate osteometric information of salmon species, research on the subject of species identification that uses DNA as the primary source of identification of salmon bones from archaeological sites has yet to be fully studied. I am using the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome B (cytB) locus in an effort to identify the species of salmon bones found at archaeological sites in Washington State. Using PCR to amplify cytB, I have been able to identify the species of salmon from modern specimens and I am currently attempting to amplify the cyt locus from ancient salmon remains. This technique when applied to archaeological faunal specimens could be used to determine species identification of specimens that have been historically problematic to identify by other methods.
Recommended Citation
Frederickson, Victoria, "Species Identification through aDNA Barcode Analysis of Salmon Bones of Central Washington Archaeological Sites" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 88.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/posters/88
Poster Number
39
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology and Museum Studies
Species Identification through aDNA Barcode Analysis of Salmon Bones of Central Washington Archaeological Sites
SURC Ballroom C/D
Salmon bones found at archaeological sites have historically been very difficult to identify, by osteometric identification. While research has been conducted that uses DNA comparison to validate osteometric information of salmon species, research on the subject of species identification that uses DNA as the primary source of identification of salmon bones from archaeological sites has yet to be fully studied. I am using the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome B (cytB) locus in an effort to identify the species of salmon bones found at archaeological sites in Washington State. Using PCR to amplify cytB, I have been able to identify the species of salmon from modern specimens and I am currently attempting to amplify the cyt locus from ancient salmon remains. This technique when applied to archaeological faunal specimens could be used to determine species identification of specimens that have been historically problematic to identify by other methods.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Lorenz, Joseph