Examining Natural History through the Lens of Palaeogenomics

Kieren J Mitchell; Nicolas J Rawlence

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.005

Examining Natural History through the Lens of Palaeogenomics

Trends Ecol Evol. 2021 Mar;36(3):258-267. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.005. Epub 2021 Jan 14.

Authors

Kieren J Mitchell¹, Nicolas J Rawlence²

Affiliations

¹ Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: kieren.mitchell@adelaide.edu.au.
² Otago Palaeogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

PMID: 33455740
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2020.10.005

Abstract

The many high-resolution tools that are uniquely applicable to specimens from the Quaternary period (the past ~2.5 Ma) provide an opportunity to cross-validate data and test hypotheses based on the morphology and distribution of fossils. Among these tools is palaeogenomics - the genome-scale sequencing of genetic material from ancient specimens - that can provide direct insight into ecology and evolution, potentially improving the accuracy of inferences about past ecological communities over longer timescales. Palaeogenomics has revealed instances of over- and underestimation of extinct diversity, detected cryptic faunal migration and turnover, allowed quantification of widespread sex biases and sexual dimorphism in the fossil record, revealed past hybridisation events and hybrid individuals, and has highlighted previously unrecognised routes of zoonotic disease transfer.

Keywords: Holocene; Pleistocene; ancient DNA; extinction; megafauna.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Fossils*
Genomics*
Humans
Paleontology