A long time ago, bison roamed North America in vast herds with thunderous stampedes of rust and auburn fur before almost disappearing due to overhunting. New DNA research is unraveling the story of their decline and slow return to dominance, shedding light on the changes in the species.
Recently published in Science, the study involved sequencing 160 bison genomes over 20,000 years. Led by Jonas Oppenheimer from the Paleogenomics Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the research involved nearly 40 scientists, many of them Canadian.
The aim of the study is to aid modern conservation by understanding the genetic history of bison. The findings reveal the challenges faced by modern herds due to genetic fragmentation.
Bison populations that were once genetically similar across North America are now distinct based on their herds. This genetic diversity shift is a legacy of the near-extinction bottleneck caused by human activities.
By mapping the genetic changes through genome sequencing of ancient and modern bison samples, researchers highlighted the impact of historical declines on the species’ diversity and structure.
The study also debunked the notion of significant cattle ancestry in bison and emphasized the distinctiveness between wood bison and plains bison. The split between the two subspecies occurred around 3,000 years ago due to environmental changes.
Efforts are ongoing to manage bison herds separately to maintain genetic diversity. Bison geneticist Greg Wilson emphasized the importance of genetic preservation for future conservation efforts.
The study provides valuable insights for managing isolated herds and promoting gene flow among bison populations. By reconnecting herds and preventing inbreeding, conservationists aim to preserve the genetic diversity of bison for generations to come.
