Understanding the evolutionary consequences of wildlife exploitation is increasingly important as harvesting becomes more efficient. We examined the impacts of ivory poaching during the Mozambican Civil War (1977 to 1992) on the evolution of African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Gorongosa National Park. Poaching resulted in strong selection that favored tusklessness amid a rapid population decline. Survey data revealed tusk-inheritance patterns consistent with an X chromosome–linked dominant, male-lethal trait. Whole-genome scans implicated two candidate genes with known roles in mammalian tooth development (AMELX and MEP1a), including the formation of enamel, dentin, cementum, and the periodontium. One of these loci (AMELX) is associated with an X-linked dominant, male-lethal syndrome in humans that diminishes the growth of maxillary lateral incisors (homologous to elephant tusks). This study provides evidence for rapid, poaching-mediated selection for the loss of a prominent anatomical trait in a keystone species.

中文翻译：

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象牙偷猎和非洲象无牙的快速演变

随着收获变得更加高效，了解野生动物开发的进化后果变得越来越重要。我们研究了莫桑比克内战（1977 年至 1992 年）期间象牙偷猎对戈龙戈萨国家公园非洲大草原象 ( Loxodonta Africana ) 进化的影响。在人口迅速减少的情况下，偷猎导致了有利于无牙的强烈选择。调查数据显示，象牙遗传模式与 X 染色体连锁的显性雄性致死性状一致。全基因组扫描涉及两个在哺乳动物牙齿发育中具有已知作用的候选基因（AMELX和MEP1a），包括牙釉质、牙本质、牙骨质和牙周组织的形成。这些基因座之一（AMELX) 与人类 X 连锁显性男性致死综合征有关，该综合征会减少上颌侧切牙（与象牙同源）的生长。这项研究为快速、偷猎介导的选择失去了关键物种的显着解剖特征提供了证据。