DNA evidence reveals how Europe was repopulated after the last ice age
In short: By analyzing DNA sequences from various species, researchers found that Europe's southern peninsulas served as vital refuges during the last ice age. As glaciers retreated, species expanded northward, leaving behind distinct genetic signatures that reveal how different organisms, from brown bears to house mice, recolonized the continent.
The study reviews molecular data from several species to reconstruct post-glacial expansion patterns. This genetic evidence complements fossil records by showing how populations diverged in southern refugia. However, the findings are based on a review of existing case studies rather than a single new experiment.
The researchers observed a reduction in genetic diversity from southern to northern Europe, likely caused by rapid northward expansion and the varied landscapes of southern refugia.
Why it matters: Genetic patterns in modern European wildlife can reveal the movement of species following ancient ice ages.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Hewitt (1999). Post-glacial re-colonization of European biota. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
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