Woolly Rhinoceroses Mated with Merck's Rhinos in Ice Age Eurasia
A new study on ancient DNA from 183 rhino fossils has revealed that woolly rhinoceroses interbred with Merck's rhinos in their overlapping habitats during the Ice Age. The research, led by Peking University in Beijing, extracted genetic data paired with a climate model to show that woolly rhinos had a strong genetic diversity in mid-latitude regions, contrary to previous assumptions.
The study found that the most significant split between modern woolly rhino lineages occurred around 460,000 years ago, with a clear divide between East and West Eurasia populations during a rocky transition between glacial and interglacial periods. The Altai region acted as an important refuge for woolly rhinoceroses amidst climatic upheavals.
The presence of Merck's rhino DNA in the genome of woolly rhinos indicates that the two species must have interbred, with hybrids being part of the megafauna mix in Ice Age Eurasia. This cross-species gene flow could have played a crucial role in the evolution of rhinoceros species.
The study's findings offer new insights into the lives of woolly rhinos and their habitats during the last Ice Age, challenging previous assumptions about their genetic diversity and evolutionary history.