Mapping the genetics of a giant: New research decodes bison DNA
Researchers have sequenced 160 bison genomes to create a 20,000-year ancestral map of the species. The study reveals how human-driven population bottlenecks have fragmented the species' genetic diversity, providing insights for future conservation efforts.
Why it matters
Understanding the genetic history of bison is crucial for restoring the resilience of herds that were once on the brink of extinction.
New research decoding their DNA is helping to shed light on how the collapse and slow, scattered return of herds to the landscapes they once dominated has forever changed the mighty species.
The research, published in the journal Science , sequenced 160 bison genomes, creating an ancestral roadmap spanning 20,000 years.
Nearly 40 scientists, including many Canadians, contributed to the study. It was led by paleogeneticist Jonas Oppenheimer and the Paleogenomics Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz, which specializes in researching ancient DNA extracted from fossil remains.
The hope is that the findings will help guide modern conservation efforts — that by mapping the animal’s complicated genetic history, researchers can help the beasts better thrive into the future.
Bison, once highly connected, are now isolated in carefully managed populations. Researchers found that the fragmentation of modern herds challenges their resilience.
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