Ms. Allen et al., Pacific 'Babes': Issues in the origins and dispersal of Pacific pigs and the potential of mitochondrial DNA analysis, INT J OSTEO, 11(1-2), 2001, pp. 4-13
We explore potential sources of genetic variation in Pacific pigs over the
duration of their commensal relationships with Pacific people. Three time p
eriods are identified as critical to understanding the history of pigs in t
he Pacific region: (1) the late Pleistocene-early Holocene following from h
uman movement into Near Oceania; (2) with Lapita colonization of Remote Oce
ania beginning ca. 3000 bp, and (3) in Polynesia, shortly after sustained E
uro-American contact (ca. late 1700s) when several new breeds were introduc
ed into the region. This paper highlights the important role mitochondrial
DNA (mtDNA) work can play in detailing the origins, directions, and frequen
cy of pig transfers, and by extension, the movements of their human carrier
s. Our preliminary molecular studies identify a hypervariable region of mtD
NA in the genus Sus, rendering it an ideal taxon for detailed study of the
issues we raise herein. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.