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17 pages, 3342 KiB

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From Caves to the Savannah, the Mitogenome History of Modern Lions (Panthera leo) and Their Ancestors

by Camilla Broggini, Marta Cavallini, Isabella Vanetti, Jackie Abell, Giorgio Binelli and Gianluca Lombardo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5193; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105193 - 10 May 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3211

Abstract

Lions (Panthera leo) play a crucial ecological role in shaping and maintaining fragile ecosystems within Africa. Conservation efforts should focus on genetic variability within wild populations when considering reintroduction attempts. We studied two groups of lions from two conservation sites located in Zambia and Zimbabwe to determine their genetic make-up, information that is usually unknown to the sites. In this study, we analysed 17 specimens for cytb and seven microsatellite markers to ascertain family relationships and genetic diversity previously obtained by observational studies. We then produced a standardised haplogroup phylogeny using all available entire mitogenomes, as well as calculating a revised molecular clock. The modern lion lineage diverged ~151 kya and was divided into two subspecies, both containing three distinct haplogroups. We confirm that Panthera leo persica is not a subspecies, but rather a haplogroup of the northern P.l. leo that exited Africa at least ~31 kya. The progenitor to all lions existed ~1.2 Mya, possibly in SE Africa, and later exited Africa and split into the two cave lion lineages ~175 kya. Species demography is correlated to major climactic events. We now have a detailed phylogeny of lion evolution and an idea of their conservation status given the threat of climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)

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23 pages, 12039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Intrusive Art” at Ajaṇṭā in the Late Middle Period: The Case of Bhadrāsana Buddhas

by Nicolas Revire

Religions 2022, 13(9), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13090771 - 23 Aug 2022

Viewed by 2466

Abstract

Following the apparent chaos that ensued at Ajaṇṭā during the so-called “period of disruption” in the wake of King Hariṣeṇa’s death (ca. 478–480 CE), local monks and residents in the caves continued to sponsor the donation of what we term “intrusive” images after the late Walter Spink. These new donations consisted of hundreds of Buddha images, a few of which retain today painted or incised dedicatory inscriptions in Sanskrit. Many of these images represent the Buddha preaching and seated in the “auspicious pose” (bhadrāsana) on the conventional lion throne with his legs down. In this article, the author focuses on the images accompanied by inscriptions since they provide a better understanding of the reuse of consecrated caves, and of the nature of this new and brief iconographic development implemented by local Buddhist residents. The sudden appearance of Bhadrāsana Buddhas seems indeed to correlate with a rise to prevalence of Mahāyāna Buddhist practices at Ajaṇṭā during the late Middle Period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Scattering and Destroying: On the Unforeseen Consequences of Collecting and Reuse in South Asian Art)

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16 pages, 35324 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Preliminary Analysis of Cave Lion Cubs Panthera spelaea (Goldfuss, 1810) from the Permafrost of Siberia

by Gennady G. Boeskorov, Valery V. Plotnikov, Albert V. Protopopov, Gennady F. Baryshnikov, Philippe Fosse, Love Dalén, David W. G. Stanton, Innokenty S. Pavlov, Naoki Suzuki and Alexey N. Tikhonov

Quaternary 2021, 4(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/quat4030024 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 81467

Abstract

A preliminary description is presented of the well-preserved frozen mummies of two cubs of the extinct cave lion Panthera spelaea (finds of 2017–2018, Semyuelyakh River, Yakutia, eastern Siberia, Russia). The fossil lion cubs were found in close proximity, but they do not belong to the same litter, since their radiocarbon ages differ: the female (named ‘Sparta’) was dated to 27,962 ± 109 uncal years BP, and the male (named ‘Boris’) was dated to 43,448 ± 389 uncal years BP. The lion cubs have similar individual ages, 1–2 months. The general tone of the colour of the fur coat of Sparta is greyish to light brown, whereas, in Boris, the fur is generally lighter, greyish yellowish. It is, therefore, possible that light colouration prevailed with age in cave lions and was adaptive for northern snow-covered landscapes. The article discusses the results of computed tomography of cubs of the cave lion, the possible reasons for their death, and the peculiarities of their existence in the Siberian Arctic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Quaternary Studies: The Contribution of Mammalian Fossil Record II)

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