Now Reading: Ancient DNA shows bison retained genetic diversity despite near extinction
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Ancient DNA shows bison retained genetic diversity despite near extinction
Ancient DNA shows bison retained genetic diversity despite near extinction
A study published in Science on 6 August and led by the University of California has mapped the deepest genetic history of the North American bison, using DNA from 115 animals that…
The Story in Brief
A study published in Science on 6 August and led by the University of California has mapped the deepest genetic history of the North American bison, using DNA from 115 animals that lived before the species crashed from tens of millions to a few hundred. The research, which combined ancient genomes with modern samples, found that genetic diversity survived the 20th-century collapse better than expected. The real legacy was fragmentation, isolated herds lost connectivity due to early conservation efforts, not a wipeout of diversity. The findings also revealed that modern wood bison carry plains bison ancestry from 1920s translocations, while cattle ancestry is far rarer than assumed. The Times of India reports that the study is already being used to guide herd management.
The Indian Opinion
Conservation stories often paint a simple arc: plunge then recovery. This one is more honest. The real damage was not a loss of genetic variety but the fragmentation of a once-connected population into isolated herds. The numbers are stark, tens of millions to a few hundred, yet the DNA held steady. The lesson for Indian wildlife managers is clear: counting heads is not enough. Connectivity matters. The question that remains is whether our own protected areas, like tiger reserves, are preserving corridors or just islands.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
