List of Ice Age species preserved as permafrost mummies
This is a list of Ice Age species preserved as permafrost mummies. It includes all known species that have had their tissues partially preserved within the permafrost layer of the Arctic and Subarctic. Most went extinct during the Late Pleistocene extinctions while some are still extant today. They have been listed too the most specific known taxonomic rank.
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Permafrost mummies provide crucial insights into the physiology and life histories of Pleistocene organisms, due to how well the preservation process keeps the specimens from decomposing. The constant presence of permafrost is able to preserve the soft tissues of organisms through a process similar to freeze-drying.[1] With such complete preservation of tissues, it is possible to determine numerous things from the such as: DNA, eDNA,[2] evolutionary history,[3] gut contents,[4] and trophic dynamics.[5] Studies have even shown that the process is so complete there is evidence of nucleic activity.[6]
Some of these specimens are on display at the Kingdom of the Permafrost museum near Yakutsk.[7]
(E) - denote an extinct species
Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates)
Bovidae (Bovines)
- Bison priscus, Steppe bison (E)[8]
- Bootherium bombifrons, Helmeted muskox (E)[1]
Cervidae (Deer)
- Cervalces latifrons, Giant Moose (E)[9]
- Rangifer tarandus, Reindeer[9]
Carnivora
Canidae (Dogs)
- Canis lupus, Grey wolf[10]
Felidae (Cats)
- Panthera spelaea, Cave lion (E)[11]
Mustelidae
- Mustela nigripes, Black-footed ferret[12]
- Gulo gulo berelekhii, Wolverine (E)[13]
Ursidae (Bears)
- Ursus spelaeus, Cave bear (E)[14]
Lagomorpha
Ochotonidae (Pika)
- Ochotona princeps, American pika[15]
Leporidae (Rabbits and hares)
- Lepus americanus, Snowshoe hare[9]
Perissodactyla (Odd-toed ungulates)
Equidae (Horses)
- Equus lambei, Yukon horse (E)[9]
- Equus lenensis, Lena horse (E)[16]
- Equus spp. (E)[17][18]
Rhinocerotidae (Rhinoceroses)
- Coelodonta antiquitatis, Wooly rhinoceros (E)[19]
Proboscidea
Elephantidae (Elephants)
- Mammuthus primigenius, Wooly mammoth (E)[4]
Rodentia (Rodents)
Cricetidae
- Microtus spp.[9]
Sciuridae (Squirrels)
- Urocitellus parryii, Artic ground squirrel[20]
Passeriformes (Perching Birds)
Alaudidae (Larks)
- Eremophila spp. Ancestral horned lark (E)[21]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-444-52747-9, retrieved 2024-02-29
- PMID 36477129.
- PMID 23803765.
- ^ ISSN 0034-6667.
- ISSN 0001-7272.
- PMID 30858410.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Fessenden, Maris. "Ice Age Cave Lion Cubs and a Look Back at Permafrost Mummies". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ISSN 0033-5894.
- ^ a b c d e Guthrie, R. Dale. Frozen Fauna of the Mammoth Steppe: The Story of Blue Babe. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
- PMID 33352124.
- ^ "Extinct lion cubs found in Siberia are up to 55,000 years old - latest test results reveal". siberiantimes.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- JSTOR 1382567.
- ^ Baryshnikov, G. F. (2015). Late pleistocene Ursidae and Mustelidae remains (Mammalia, Carnivora) from Geographical Society Cave in the Russian Far East. Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Science (published November 1, 2015).
- ^ России, Министерство образования и науки (14 September 2020). "Северо-Восточный федеральный университет им. М.К. Аммосова, СВФУ". Министерство образования и науки Российской Федерации. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- JSTOR 1379093.
- ^ "Perfectly-preserved ancient foal is shown to the world for the first time". siberiantimes.com. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ISSN 2199-241X.
- ISBN 978-1-107-02716-9, retrieved 2024-02-29
- ISSN 0277-3791.
- ^ "30,000 year-old arctic ground squirrel discovered in the Yukon". Yukon News. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- PMID 32081985.