Data from: Genomic analysis of demographic history and ecological niche modeling in the endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

The vertebrate extinction rate over the past century is approximately
22–100 times greater than background extinction rates, and large mammals
are particularly at risk. Quaternary megafaunal extinctions have been
attributed to climate change, overexploitation, or a combination of the
two. Rhinoceroses (Family: Rhinocerotidae) have a rich fossil history
replete with iconic examples of climate-induced extinctions, but current
pressures threaten to eliminate this group entirely. The Sumatran
rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is among the most imperiled mammals
on earth. The 2011 population was estimated at ≤216 wild individuals, and
currently the species is extirpated, or nearly so, throughout the majority
of its former range. Understanding demographic history is important in
placing current population status into a broader ecological and
evolutionary context. Analysis of the Sumatran rhinoceros genome reveals
extreme changes in effective population size throughout the Pleistocene.
Population expansion during the early to middle Pleistocene was followed
by decline. Ecological niche modeling indicated that changing climate most
likely played a role in the decline of the Sumatran rhinoceros, as less
suitable habitat on an emergent Sundaland corridor isolated Sumatran
rhinoceros populations. By the end of the Pleistocene, the Sundaland
corridor was submerged, and populations were fragmented and consequently
reduced to low Holocene levels from which they would never recover. Past
events denuded the Sumatran rhinoceros of genetic diversity through
population decline, fragmentation, or some combination of the two and most
likely made the species even more susceptible to later exploitation and
habitat loss.