Further evidence of trans-Atlantic colonization of Western Europe by American Atlantic sturgeons

Abstract

Ancient DNA analyses were used for species identification of archaeological samples from the East Baltic region (Poland Ancient DNA analyses were used for species identification of archaeological samples from the East Baltic region (Poland) and two archived sturgeon specimens from Great Britain. DNA of seven samples (out of 36) were successfully amplified. Only mitochondrial haplotypes of Atlantic sturgeon, A. oxyrinchus, were observed. Six samples shared haplotype A (Accession number AF162716); the seventh specimen (caught in the River Don at Barnby Dun 1860) had a new haplotype (EU684143) which differed in one substitution from haplotype A. European sturgeon, A. sturio, was not found. The outcome of this study confirms the existence of Atlantic sturgeons in Baltic rivers since the early Middle Ages.) and two archived sturgeon specimens from Great Britain. DNA of seven samples (out of 36) were successfully amplified. Only mitochondrial haplotypes of Atlantic sturgeon, A. oxyrinchus, were observed. Six samples shared haplotype A (Accession number AF162716); the seventh specimen (caught in the River Don at Barnby Dun 1860) had a new haplotype (EU684143) which differed in one substitution from haplotype A. European sturgeon, A. sturio, was not found. The outcome of this study confirms the existence of Atlantic sturgeons in Baltic rivers since the early Middle Ages.