Ancient Ground Squirrel Droppings Reveal Arctic's Evolutionary Secrets
A study published in Nature Communications has revealed that ancient ground squirrel droppings, preserved in the Yukon's permafrost, contain a wealth of environmental DNA. This DNA provides insights into the Arctic's evolutionary history, dating back 30,000 to 700,000 years. Researchers from McMaster University and other institutions extracted DNA from these droppings, uncovering genetic information from various species, including woolly mammoths and steppe bison. The study highlights the genetic diversity of Arctic ground squirrels and other species, offering a glimpse into past ecosystems and climatic conditions. 
