Unique mitochondrial DNA in highly inbred feral cattle

The Chillingham herd of wild Northumbrian cattle remains viable despite over 300 years of in-breeding and a near-homozygous nuclear genome. Here we report the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence using ultra-deep next generation sequencing. Random population sampling of similar to 10% of the extant herd identified a single mtDNA haplotype harbouring a unique bovine variant present in all other higher mammals (m.11789C/Y421H) which may contribute to their survival. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. and Mitochondria Research Society. All rights reserved.