RABBIT MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA DIVERSITY FROM PREHISTORIC TO MODERN TIMES

The mitochondrial genetic variability in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations present in Europe and North Africa from 11,000 years ago to the present day has been analyzed using ancient DNA techn iques. DNA was extracted from 90 rabbit bones found in 22 archaeologic al sites dated between the Mesolithic and recent times. Nucleotide seq uences present in a variable 233-bp domain of the cytochrome b gene we re compared to those present in modem-day rabbits. The results show th at the structure of ancient populations of wild rabbit exhibited remar kable stability over time until the Middle Ages. At this time, a novel type of mtDNA molecule abruptly appears into most wild populations st udied from France. This mtDNA type corresponds to that currently prese nt in the domestic breeds of rabbit examined so far. The relative rapi dity by which this mtDNA type established and its absence in all sites examined before 1,700 years ago lend support to the hypothesis that b etween 2,000 and 1,000 years ago, man may have favored the development , into all regions of France, of animals carrying this particular mtDN A molecule. The origin of such animals has still to be found: animals previously living outside of France or within France but in very restr icted areas? This event was concomitant with the documented establishm ent of warrens after the tenth century A.D. in Europe.