Biomolecular analyses reveal the age, sex and species identity of a near-intact Pleistocene bird carcass

Ancient remains found in permafrost represent an unprecedented opportunity to study past ecosystems. Here, we present an exceptionally well-preserved ancient bird carcass found in the Siberian permafrost, along with a radiocarbon date and a reconstruction of its complete mitochondrial genome. The carcass was radiocarbon dated to approximately 44-49 ka BP, and was genetically identified as a female horned lark. This is a species that usually inhabits open habitat, such as the steppe environment that existed in Siberia at the time. This near-intact carcass highlights the potential of permafrost remains for evolutionary biology studies that combine both morphology and ancient nucleic acids.

永久冻土中发现的古代遗骸为研究远古生态系统提供了前所未有的契机。本研究报道了一件在西伯利亚永久冻土中发现的保存异常完好的古代鸟类尸体，并附带其放射性碳定年结果与完整线粒体基因组重建结果。该尸体经放射性碳定年确定年代约为44-49 ka BP，经基因鉴定为雌性角百灵。角百灵通常栖息于开阔生境，与当时西伯利亚存在的草原环境相契合。这件近乎完整的尸体凸显了永久冻土遗骸在结合形态学与古代核酸开展进化生物学研究方面的巨大潜力。