The saga of the woolly mammoth is one of survival intertwined with intrigue, leading to an unexpected end. Once majestic giants roamed the vast tundras during the Ice Age, but as the ice melted and their world shrank, their populations dwindled. Ultimately, a small herd eked out an existence on the secluded Wrangel Island, off Siberia's coast.

Cut off from the mainland nearly 10,000 years ago by rising sea levels, Wrangel Island became the last bastion for these remarkable creatures. Yet, recent genetic studies have uncovered that their demise might not have followed a gradual decline as presumed. Instead, researchers suggest it was triggered by a sudden catastrophe.

A Genetic Revelation

"This indicates an unexpected cause behind the population's collapse," explains Marianne Dehasque, an evolutionary geneticist from Uppsala University, and lead author of the groundbreaking study published in Cell. Utilizing ancient DNA, Dehasque's team successfully constructed an intricate genetic timeline for the island's mammoths.

Their research reveals a surprising origin: the population began with just eight individuals. Astonishingly, this small group managed to grow to about 200-300 members and maintained stability for over 6,000 years despite facing inbreeding and other challenges. This adaptability sheds light on a resilient population.

Survival Against the Odds

However, not all was well within their genetic makeup. The researchers discovered harmful mutations present among the mammoths, though their genetic diversity remained low, it was not alarmingly so. Contrary to expectations of a drastic genetic fall, data suggests selective pressures naturally filtered out harmful traits, particularly those tied to severe defects.

Yet, concerns arose regarding immune system genes, notably their lack of diversity, which may have left the mammoths vulnerable to diseases. On an isolated island, even a slight outbreak could have spelled doom.

The Climate Shift