Scientists Discover Ancient DNA from Woolly Mammoths and Other Extinct Animals in Frozen Squirrel Feces in Canada
Researchers in Canada's Yukon territory found a large collection of ancient DNA, including from woolly mammoths, wolves, and other extinct species, preserved in frozen squirrel feces buried in sealed burrows. The genetic material ranges from 3,000 to 700,000 years old and was discovered unexpectedly while scientists were studying squirrel microbiomes. The finding suggests that animal feces is an underutilized source for understanding how life has evolved over millennia.
Scientists at McMaster University in Canada discovered an extensive archive of ancient DNA preserved in frozen squirrel feces found deep within sealed burrows in the Yukon territory. The genetic material, dating between 3,000 and 700,000 years old, includes DNA from woolly mammoths, wolves, bison, horses, cheetahs, and hundreds of plant species. Lead researcher Tyler Murchie noted that the team had initially expected to study only the squirrel's microbiome but instead uncovered a "spectacular" and unexpected biodiversity of organisms. The discovery demonstrates that animal feces, particularly when preserved in frozen conditions within protected burrows, can serve as a valuable and previously overlooked resource for paleogenomic research. This finding provides rare insights into how ecosystems and animal populations have changed over hundreds of thousands of years.
Limitations & open questions
The article does not explain the specific mechanisms of how DNA is preserved in frozen feces or why squirrel burrows are particularly effective at preserving ancient genetic material compared to other sources. Additionally, there is limited discussion of how this discovery might specifically advance de-extinction efforts or other practical applications beyond general ecosystem understanding.
What different sources said
- South China Morning PostCenter
Scientists find woolly mammoth DNA while digging through squirrel faeces
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