Cheetah Imposter Exposed
Ancient DNA reveals Miracinonyx trumani was actually a puma cousin that hunted fish in the Arctic
The extinct American 'cheetah', Miracinonyx trumani, was found to be more closely related to pumas than cheetahs through a new study published in Current Biology. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about its lifestyle and behavior, which were based on its physical resemblance to the African big cat.
Miracinonyx trumani roamed North America's open grasslands during the Pleistocene epoch, about 2.5 million to 16,000 years ago. The species had a slender body shape, long forelimbs, and large nasal cavities, features that are characteristic of modern fast-running animals such as cheetahs or horses.
The researchers sequenced the most complete M. trumani ancient DNA data set to date from four specimens, one from Wyoming and three from Canada's Yukon Territory. The analysis revealed that M. trumani shared a common ancestor with modern cheetahs about 4.7 million years ago, but was most closely related to modern pumas, having diverged from a common ancestor about 2.6 million years ago.
The study also extended the known range of M. trumani more than 20 degrees of latitude, or over 1,400 miles, farther north than previously known. Interestingly, some populations of M. trumani living near the Arctic preyed almost exclusively on fish, challenging the long-held assumption that these 'cheetahs' chased fast-running prey, such as pronghorns.
## Why it matters The discovery that Miracinonyx trumani was more closely related to pumas than cheetahs has significant implications for our understanding of the species' lifestyle and behavior. It highlights the importance of looking beyond physical characteristics and considering the unique evolutionary history and behaviors of ancient animals. The finding also underscores the complexity and diversity of prehistoric species, and the need for continued research and analysis to uncover their secrets.
The study's findings have shed new light on the biology and ecology of Miracinonyx trumani, and will likely lead to a re-evaluation of the species' place in the history of North American fauna. As researchers continue to explore the ancient DNA of M. trumani and other prehistoric species, we can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the complex and fascinating history of life on Earth.
