Ancient DNA reveals unknown extinct yak relative from Ice Age Siberia

DNA analysis of ancient remains has revealed a previously unknown extinct bovine species that lived in southern Siberia during and before the last ice age. Bioengineer.org and Phys.org Biology both reported that the extinct species was related to modern yaks but followed a separate evolutionary path for hundreds of thousands of years. According to New Scientist, researchers discovered the lineage by conducting genetic analysis on hundreds of tiny bone fragments. [1][2][4][5]

The bone fragments were recovered from Denisova Cave, the same site that yielded the first fossil remains of the Denisovans. New Scientist reported that the newly identified bovine species, currently referred to as yak X, was likely hunted by ancient humans, including Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo sapiens. Love Dalen at Stockholm University in Sweden noted that discovering a previously unknown extinct megafaunal species is a rare occurrence. [4][5]

Phys.org Biology reported that the study detailing the genetic findings was published in the journal Current Biology. An ice age is defined as a period of long-term cooling in Earth's surface temperature and atmosphere, characterized by the expansion of continental glaciers and ice caps. [2][7]