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Woolly Mammoth DNA Found in Ancient Squirrel Poo in Yukon
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Health & Science

Woolly Mammoth DNA Found in Ancient Squirrel Poo in Yukon

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency New plan
  • Scientists discovered ancient DNA from extinct woolly mammoths and other animals in frozen squirrel feces in Canada's Yukon.
  • The DNA, ranging from 3,000 to 700,000 years old, offers insights into millennia of environmental change.
  • The discovery highlights the potential of overlooked sources like feces for understanding prehistoric life.

A remarkable trove of ancient DNA, including genetic material from extinct woolly mammoths, has been unearthed in frozen squirrel droppings in Canada's remote Yukon territory. Scientists announced Tuesday that the DNA, preserved deep within sealed burrows, dates back between 3,000 and 700,000 years, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the region's ancient ecosystems.

digging through squirrel poop might sound "less appealing" than discovering, say, a mammoth tusk.

— Tyler MurchieA palogenomics researcher at Canada's McMaster University and lead author of the study, commenting on the unexpected nature of the discovery.

The discovery, published in Nature Communications, includes genetic material from wolves, bison, horses, a cheetah, and numerous plants, in addition to the iconic woolly mammoths. Researchers were initially studying the squirrels' microbiome but were surprised by the "spectacular" biodiversity of organisms found. Tyler Murchie, lead author and a paleogenomics researcher at McMaster University, noted that while digging through feces might seem unappealing, it offers a unique window into the distant past.

the "spectacular" amount of information they uncovered suggests that feces is an overlooked way to see into our planet's distant past.

— Tyler MurchieExplaining the significance of the findings from the squirrel droppings.

Arctic ground squirrels proved to be ideal subjects due to their "natural archivist behavior." During their four months of activity each year, they meticulously pack their burrows with food and other materials. Over time, rising permafrost sealed some of these burrows, creating natural time capsules. The team reconstructed 18 mitochondrial genomes, including those of six woolly mammoths from different eras, by piecing together DNA fragments.

It turned out that arctic ground squirrels were ideal subjects for this research because of their "natural archivist behavior,”

— Tyler MurchieDescribing why the squirrels' habits were crucial for preserving ancient DNA.

This research emerges as the US company Colossal claims it is working to "de-extinct" the woolly mammoth. While Colossal has access to genetic data, Murchie suggested their findings represent a small addition to the existing data. The study's findings on mammoth evolution will be made public, though details remain under wraps pending future research.

they've got to get out there and eat as much as they can of everything,

— Tyler MurchieExplaining the squirrels' behavior during their active months.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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