Chimpanzee origins and geospatial genetic diversity

Abstract

The goal of this project is to resolve the fine-scale phylogeography and demographic history of chimpanzees with possible application towards conservation genetics, by determining the geographic origin of unknown confiscated animals. By using full genome sequencing in a panel of 60 chimpanzees, we have found remarkable genetic structure within subspecies, showing that geography is the first predictor of diversity and highlighting the recent population history of chimpanzees. Although the origin of modern humans has been extensively explored, the origin of chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, remains largely unknown. Here, we analyzed geographic patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD), genetic diversity and population differentiation of chimpanzees. The observed patterns are consistent with an origin of chimpanzees in central Africa.