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Snail genes reveal human migration to Ireland | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A genetic similarity between snail fossils found in Ireland and the Eastern Pyrenees suggests humans migrated from southern Europe to Ireland 8,000 years ago. | A genetic similarity between snail fossils found in Ireland and the Eastern Pyrenees suggests humans migrated from southern Europe to Ireland 8,000 years ago. |
The slimy creatures in Ireland today are almost identical to snails in Southern France and Northern Spain. | The slimy creatures in Ireland today are almost identical to snails in Southern France and Northern Spain. |
Whether an accidental visitor on a ship or brought along as a snack, the boat they were carried on did not appear to stop in Britain. | Whether an accidental visitor on a ship or brought along as a snack, the boat they were carried on did not appear to stop in Britain. |
The findings are published in PLOS One. | The findings are published in PLOS One. |
As Britain emerged from the end of the last Ice Age about 10,000 years ago, sea levels rose and landslides are thought to have triggered a great tsunami. Britain was transformed into an island, separated from mainland Europe and Ireland. | As Britain emerged from the end of the last Ice Age about 10,000 years ago, sea levels rose and landslides are thought to have triggered a great tsunami. Britain was transformed into an island, separated from mainland Europe and Ireland. |
Land-dwelling animals were therefore no longer able to migrate from Europe over the seas without a little help. | Land-dwelling animals were therefore no longer able to migrate from Europe over the seas without a little help. |
It has long perplexed scientists that Ireland has plants and animals that are genetically different, and in some cases are even unique, to ones found in Britain. | It has long perplexed scientists that Ireland has plants and animals that are genetically different, and in some cases are even unique, to ones found in Britain. |
Now scientists have found that a common garden snail, Cepaea nemoralis, is almost genetically identical to one found in the Eastern Pyrenees, but seems to have missed Britain on its journey over. | Now scientists have found that a common garden snail, Cepaea nemoralis, is almost genetically identical to one found in the Eastern Pyrenees, but seems to have missed Britain on its journey over. |
River highways | River highways |
Fossil analysis revealed a continuous record for these snails in Ireland for the past 8,000 years and well preserved shell remnants from France showed the creature was a snack thousands of years ago. | Fossil analysis revealed a continuous record for these snails in Ireland for the past 8,000 years and well preserved shell remnants from France showed the creature was a snack thousands of years ago. |
The researchers said it was difficult to explain this "clear pattern" except by involving humans. | The researchers said it was difficult to explain this "clear pattern" except by involving humans. |
"There are records of Mesolithic or Stone Age humans eating snails in the Pyrenees, and perhaps even farming them," said co-author of the study Angus Davison from the University of Nottingham. | "There are records of Mesolithic or Stone Age humans eating snails in the Pyrenees, and perhaps even farming them," said co-author of the study Angus Davison from the University of Nottingham. |
"If the snails naturally colonised Ireland, you would expect to find some of the same genetic type in other areas of Europe, especially Britain. We just don't find them. | "If the snails naturally colonised Ireland, you would expect to find some of the same genetic type in other areas of Europe, especially Britain. We just don't find them. |
"The highways of the past were rivers and the ocean - as the river that flanks the Pyrenees was an ancient trade route to the Atlantic. What we're actually seeing might be the long lasting legacy of snails that hitched a ride as humans travelled from the South of France to Ireland 8,000 years ago. | "The highways of the past were rivers and the ocean - as the river that flanks the Pyrenees was an ancient trade route to the Atlantic. What we're actually seeing might be the long lasting legacy of snails that hitched a ride as humans travelled from the South of France to Ireland 8,000 years ago. |
"The intriguing implication is that the genetics of snails might shed light on a very old human migration event," Dr Davison added. | "The intriguing implication is that the genetics of snails might shed light on a very old human migration event," Dr Davison added. |
Human genetic link | Human genetic link |
Population geneticist Dan Bradley from Trinity College Dublin said the study showed a recurring theme that some species in Ireland had similar genetic types to southern Europe, but not to those found in Britain. | Population geneticist Dan Bradley from Trinity College Dublin said the study showed a recurring theme that some species in Ireland had similar genetic types to southern Europe, but not to those found in Britain. |
"It's consistent with the idea that almost everything we have in Ireland, that can't swim or fly, was brought here on a boat." | "It's consistent with the idea that almost everything we have in Ireland, that can't swim or fly, was brought here on a boat." |
Previous genetic studies on humans have also shown clear links between the population of Ireland and those in Southern Europe. | Previous genetic studies on humans have also shown clear links between the population of Ireland and those in Southern Europe. |
"The genetic patterns in humans are there, but are much weaker. You see it in blood groups, in Y chromosomes and some diseases. | "The genetic patterns in humans are there, but are much weaker. You see it in blood groups, in Y chromosomes and some diseases. |
"In order to really understand migration patterns we need more ancient DNA from different species such as small mammals," Prof Bradley told BBC News. | "In order to really understand migration patterns we need more ancient DNA from different species such as small mammals," Prof Bradley told BBC News. |
Scientists, including Prof Bradley are now working on further studies on human remains, which over the next few years will "tell us exciting things about human migration". | Scientists, including Prof Bradley are now working on further studies on human remains, which over the next few years will "tell us exciting things about human migration". |
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