A 75,000-y-old Scandinavian Arctic cave deposit reveals past faunal diversity and paleoenvironment
Authors: Walker, S.J., Boilard, A., Henriksen, M., Lord, E., Robu, M., Buylaert, J.P., Takken Beijersbergen, L.M., Halvorsen, L.S., Cintrón-Santiago, A.M., Onshuus, E.K., Cockerill, C.A., Ujvari, G., Palcsu, L., Temovski, M., Maccali, J., Linge, H., Olsen, J., Aksnes, S., Bertheussen, A., Lygre, O., Alsos, I.G., Dalén, L., Star, B., Hufthammer, A.K., van Kolfschoten, T., Lauritzen, S.E., Lødøen, T.K., Boessenkool, S.
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publication Date: 12/08/2025
Volume: 122
Issue: 32
eISSN: 1091-6490
ISSN: 0027-8424
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415008122
Abstract:During the last glacial period (~118 to 11.7 ka), the Arctic has been characterized by a major redistribution of flora and fauna as a consequence of extreme climatic fluctuations, with associated glacial advances and retreats, sea-level changes, and shifting sea ice extent. In the high-latitude regions of Northern Europe that are currently subject to rapid climate warming, we lack a comprehensive understanding of faunal biodiversity in the last glacial period due to the extreme rarity of preserved organic remains. Here, we present a stratified sediment deposit with a diverse faunal composition preserved in a bone-bearing layer in Arne Qvamgrotta, part of the Storsteinhola cave system (68.10° N 16.38° E) in Northern Norway. Chronological analyses of sediments and bones including radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence, uranium–thorium, and phylogenetic dating place the faunal assemblage in Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a, Odderade interstadial, ~85 to 71 ka). Combining comparative osteology and bulk-bone metabarcoding, we identify 46 taxa, including mammals, birds, and fish, with several species not previously found in Fennoscandia. The fauna implies a nonanalogous cold-adapted coastal community, with close proximity to sea ice and nearby freshwater bodies. Mitogenome analyses of a subset of taxa identify extinct lineages which attest to a lack of habitat tracking and the absence of a local refugium during the subsequent fully glaciated periods. This faunal record demonstrates long-term faunal dynamics and coastal environmental conditions during MIS 5a in the European Arctic.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/41249/
Source: Scopus
A 75,000-y-old Scandinavian Arctic cave deposit reveals past faunal diversity and paleoenvironment.
Authors: Walker, S.J., Boilard, A., Henriksen, M., Lord, E., Robu, M., Buylaert, J.-P., Beijersbergen, L.M.T., Halvorsen, L.S., Cintrón-Santiago, A.M., Onshuus, E.K., Cockerill, C.A., Ujvari, G., Palcsu, L., Temovski, M., Maccali, J., Linge, H., Olsen, J., Aksnes, S., Bertheussen, A., Lygre, O., Alsos, I.G., Dalén, L., Star, B., Hufthammer, A.K., van Kolfschoten, T., Lauritzen, S.-E., Lødøen, T.K., Boessenkool, S.
Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Publication Date: 12/08/2025
Volume: 122
Issue: 32
Pages: e2415008122
eISSN: 1091-6490
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415008122
Abstract:During the last glacial period (~118 to 11.7 ka), the Arctic has been characterized by a major redistribution of flora and fauna as a consequence of extreme climatic fluctuations, with associated glacial advances and retreats, sea-level changes, and shifting sea ice extent. In the high-latitude regions of Northern Europe that are currently subject to rapid climate warming, we lack a comprehensive understanding of faunal biodiversity in the last glacial period due to the extreme rarity of preserved organic remains. Here, we present a stratified sediment deposit with a diverse faunal composition preserved in a bone-bearing layer in Arne Qvamgrotta, part of the Storsteinhola cave system (68.10° N 16.38° E) in Northern Norway. Chronological analyses of sediments and bones including radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence, uranium-thorium, and phylogenetic dating place the faunal assemblage in Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a, Odderade interstadial, ~85 to 71 ka). Combining comparative osteology and bulk-bone metabarcoding, we identify 46 taxa, including mammals, birds, and fish, with several species not previously found in Fennoscandia. The fauna implies a nonanalogous cold-adapted coastal community, with close proximity to sea ice and nearby freshwater bodies. Mitogenome analyses of a subset of taxa identify extinct lineages which attest to a lack of habitat tracking and the absence of a local refugium during the subsequent fully glaciated periods. This faunal record demonstrates long-term faunal dynamics and coastal environmental conditions during MIS 5a in the European Arctic.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/41249/
Source: PubMed
A 75,000-y-old Scandinavian Arctic cave deposit reveals past faunal diversity and paleoenvironment
Authors: Walker, S.J., Boilard, A., Henriksen, M., Lord, E., Robu, M., Buylaert, J.-P., Beijersbergen, L.M.T., Halvorsen, L.S., Cintron, A.M., Onshuus, E.K., Cockerill, C.A., Ujvari, G., Palcsu, L., Temovski, M., Maccali, J., Linge, H., Olsen, J., Aksnes, S., Bertheussen, A., Lygre, O., Alsos, I.G., Dalen, L., Star, B., Hufthammer, A.K., van Kolfschoten, T., Lauritzen, S.-E., Lodoen, T.K., Boessenkool, S.
Journal: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Publication Date: 12/08/2025
Volume: 122
Issue: 32
eISSN: 1091-6490
ISSN: 0027-8424
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415008122
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/41249/
Source: Web of Science
A 75,000-y-old Scandinavian Arctic cave deposit reveals past faunal diversity and paleoenvironment
Authors: Walker, S., Boilard, A., Henriksen, M., Lord, E., Robu, M., Buylaert, J.-P., Beijersbergen, L.M.T., Halvorsen, L.S., Cintrón-Santiago, A.M., Onshuus, E.K., Cockerill, C.A., Ujvari, G., Palcsu, L., Temovski, M., Maccali, J., Henriette, L., Olsen, J., Aksnes, S., Bertheussen, A., Lygre, O., Alsos, I.G., Dalén, L., Star, B., Hufthammer, A.K., Kolfschoten, T.V., Lauritzen, S.-E., Lødøen, T.K., Boessenkool, S.
Editors: Rignot, E.
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publication Date: 04/08/2025
Volume: 122
Issue: 32
Pages: e2415008122
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences
eISSN: 1091-6490
ISSN: 0027-8424
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415008122
Abstract:During the last glacial period (~118 to 11.7 ka), the Arctic has been characterized by a major redistribution of flora and fauna as a consequence of extreme climatic fluctuations, with associated glacial advances and retreats, sea-level changes, and shifting sea ice extent. In the high-latitude regions of Northern Europe that are currently subject to rapid climate warming, we lack a comprehensive understanding of faunal biodiversity in the last glacial period due to the extreme rarity of preserved organic remains. Here, we present a stratified sediment deposit with a diverse faunal composition preserved in a bone-bearing layer in Arne Qvamgrotta, part of the Storsteinhola cave system (68.10° N 16.38° E) in Northern Norway. Chronological analyses of sediments and bones including radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence, uranium–thorium, and phylogenetic dating place the faunal assemblage in Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a, Odderade interstadial, ~85 to 71 ka). Combining comparative osteology and bulk-bone metabarcoding, we identify 46 taxa, including mammals, birds, and fish, with several species not previously found in Fennoscandia. The fauna implies a nonanalogous cold-adapted coastal community, with close proximity to sea ice and nearby freshwater bodies. Mitogenome analyses of a subset of taxa identify extinct lineages which attest to a lack of habitat tracking and the absence of a local refugium during the subsequent fully glaciated periods. This faunal record demonstrates long-term faunal dynamics and coastal environmental conditions during MIS 5a in the European Arctic.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/41249/
Source: Manual
A 75,000-y-old Scandinavian Arctic cave deposit reveals past faunal diversity and paleoenvironment.
Authors: Walker, S.J., Boilard, A., Henriksen, M., Lord, E., Robu, M., Buylaert, J.-P., Beijersbergen, L.M.T., Halvorsen, L.S., Cintrón-Santiago, A.M., Onshuus, E.K., Cockerill, C.A., Ujvari, G., Palcsu, L., Temovski, M., Maccali, J., Linge, H., Olsen, J., Aksnes, S., Bertheussen, A., Lygre, O., Alsos, I.G., Dalén, L., Star, B., Hufthammer, A.K., van Kolfschoten, T., Lauritzen, S.-E., Lødøen, T.K., Boessenkool, S.
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publication Date: 08/2025
Volume: 122
Issue: 32
Pages: e2415008122
eISSN: 1091-6490
ISSN: 0027-8424
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2415008122
Abstract:During the last glacial period (~118 to 11.7 ka), the Arctic has been characterized by a major redistribution of flora and fauna as a consequence of extreme climatic fluctuations, with associated glacial advances and retreats, sea-level changes, and shifting sea ice extent. In the high-latitude regions of Northern Europe that are currently subject to rapid climate warming, we lack a comprehensive understanding of faunal biodiversity in the last glacial period due to the extreme rarity of preserved organic remains. Here, we present a stratified sediment deposit with a diverse faunal composition preserved in a bone-bearing layer in Arne Qvamgrotta, part of the Storsteinhola cave system (68.10° N 16.38° E) in Northern Norway. Chronological analyses of sediments and bones including radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence, uranium-thorium, and phylogenetic dating place the faunal assemblage in Marine Isotope Stage 5a (MIS 5a, Odderade interstadial, ~85 to 71 ka). Combining comparative osteology and bulk-bone metabarcoding, we identify 46 taxa, including mammals, birds, and fish, with several species not previously found in Fennoscandia. The fauna implies a nonanalogous cold-adapted coastal community, with close proximity to sea ice and nearby freshwater bodies. Mitogenome analyses of a subset of taxa identify extinct lineages which attest to a lack of habitat tracking and the absence of a local refugium during the subsequent fully glaciated periods. This faunal record demonstrates long-term faunal dynamics and coastal environmental conditions during MIS 5a in the European Arctic.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/41249/
Source: Europe PubMed Central