A groundbreaking study combining Indigenous knowledge and Western genomics reveals new details about ancient horse migrations between North America and Eurasia. The research, published in May 2025, sheds light on how these migrations were affected by climate change during the late Pleistocene.
Key Findings
The study analyzed genomes from 67 ancient horse fossils found across Beringia, Siberia, and North America. Researchers discovered repeated horse migrations between 50,000 and 13,000 years ago, with genetic exchanges occurring in both directions. Warming after the Last Glacial Maximum submerged the Bering Land Bridge, which led to a decline in horse populations in North America.
The research highlights the importance of Indigenous knowledge in understanding ecological changes. It also underscores the need to maintain ecological corridors to preserve biodiversity in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
The findings could inform modern conservation approaches, especially in the rapidly warming Arctic. By understanding how past climate shifts impacted horse populations, scientists and conservationists can develop strategies to protect megafauna and maintain ecological balance today.