Black-backed jackal (Wildscreen archive, 2018a).
Side-striped jackal (Wildscreen archive, 2018b).
The phylogenetic positioning of jackals has long been a
source of debate (Atickem et al. 2018). However, recent molecular evidence from
Atickem et al. (2018) provides more insight into the relationship between African
jackals and the Canidae. A section of 962 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was
used to examine to relationship between two geographically distinct populations
of African black-backed jackal (Lupulella
mesomelas) and a more geographically continuous population of the side-striped jackal (L. adusta) (Atickem
et al. 2018). It was demonstrated by Atickem et al. (2018) that whilst the jackals
and Canids were phylogenetically distinct, there was generally low genetic diversity
within L. adustra, but two distinct lineages
of mtDNA were observed in L. mesomelas
based on geographic location. This then raises questions as to which
populations should be given separate species status and the subsequent impacts
on population size and conservation status (Atickem et al. 2018). However, as
noted by Atickem et al. (2018) only a small section of mtDNA was analysed, therefore further analysis needs to be done, including re-examining nuclear DNA, in
order to provide greater insight into the phylogenetic intricacies between the
jackals and the Canidae.
Click here for the article.
References
Atickem, A., Stenseth, N.C., Drouilly, M., Bock, S., Roos,
C., and Zinner, D. 2018. Deep divergence among mitochondrial lineages in
African jackals. Zoologica Scripta. 47: 1-8.
Images: Wildscreen archive. 2018a. Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas). https://www.arkive.org/black-backed-jackal/canis-mesomelas/image-G68994.html
Accessed: 03/10/18.
Wildscreen archive. 2018b. Side-striped jackal (Canis adustus). https://www.arkive.org/side-striped-jackal/canis-adustus/image-G74433.html
Accessed: 03/10/18.
Victoria Lockwood
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