The Kap København Formation in northern Greenland is a basic site for the study of ancient DNA (aDNA). In 2022, a study found the recovery of 2-million-year-old DNA from these sediments, making it the oldest DNA ever sequenced. This discovery has provided unmatched insights into the ecosystems of the early Pleistocene, a time when Greenland’s climate was much warmer than today.
The recovery of ancient DNA (aDNA) from mastodons and other species in the Kap København Formation in Greenland is something a challenge for understanding the evolutionary history of these groups and their adaptations to changing environments.
Mastodons (genus Mammut) are part of the proboscidean group, which includes elephants and their extinct relatives like mammoths and gomphotheres.
DNA from mastodons helps clarify their evolutionary relationships within this group, showing how they diverged from other proboscideans and adapted to different environments.
Mastodons were well-adapted to cold environments, with thick fur and specialized teeth for chewing tough vegetation.
By studying their DNA, scientists can identify genetic changes that enabled these adaptations, such as genes related to thermoregulation, diet, and body size.
Mastodon DNA can tell how these animals migrated across continents in response to climate changes. For example, they spread across North America during the Pleistocene but went extinct around 10,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of climate change and human hunting.
Reindeer are highly adaptable to cold climates, and their DNA can say how they evolved to survive in Arctic environments.
For example, genes related to metabolism, hoof structure, and seasonal
The presence of specific species and their genetic adaptations can provide clues about past climates and ecosystems. For example, the mix of temperate and Arctic species in the Kap København Formation suggests a transitional environment during the early Pleistocene.
The study of ancient DNA helps us understand how species responded to past climate changes, such as warming or cooling weather. This information can inform predictions about how modern species might adapt to current climate change. By comparing the DNA of extinct species (like mastodons) to their living relatives (like elephants), we can identify genetic factors that may have contributed to extinction or survival. More detailed information from ancient DNA can guide conservation efforts by identifying genetic traits that are important for survival in changing environments. i.e. understanding how reindeer adapted to cold climates could help protect modern Arctic species.