August 05, 2026

[Press Release] Whole-genome sequencing reveals that Japanese and Ryukyu wild boars share a common ancestor

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Evolutionary history revealed of Japanese WB and Ryukyu WB by this study. WB: wild boar, DP: Domestic pig.
Ancestral population of WB originated in Southeast Asia and split into Eastern and Western Eurasian lineages. The Eastern lineage reached to Japanese Archipelago. This study revealed that Japanese WB and Ryukyu WB diverged from the common ancestor and the sign of introgression was found between Japanese WB and Eastern Russian/Northern Chinese WB lineages.
(Credit: Rikako Itoi, License type: Original content, Restriction: News organizations may use or redistribute this image, with proper attribution, as part of news coverage of this paper only.)

Release Summary

For the first time, whole-genome sequences were generated from multiple Japanese and Ryukyu wild boars, revealing their genetic relationship. The two populations share a common ancestor and, among continental wild boars, are most closely related to populations from Northeast Asia, particularly eastern Russia and northeastern China.

For Details (Eurekalert!)

Information of the paper

  • Title: Whole-genome analyses reveal the phylogenetic history of Japanese and Ryukyu wild boars
  • Authors: Rikako Itoi, David Gamarra, Yohey Terai, Jun Gojobori & Masaaki Taniguchi
  • Journal: BMC Ecology and Evolution
  • DOI: 10.1186/s12862-026-02556-2

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