Genetic Analysis Reveals Multiple Stressors Led to Scandinavian Aurochs Extinction

New research published in The Holocene suggests the ancient aurochs' extinction in Scandinavia was driven by multiple factors rather than a single event. After colonizing the region 11,700 years ago, the population suffered a genetic bottleneck during migration, reducing their diversity.

Isolation intensified 8,000 years ago when rising sea levels flooded land bridges, coinciding with increased human hunting. As habitats shifted from open landscapes to dense forests, the remaining Swedish aurochs population declined, eventually disappearing from the region approximately 6,500 years ago.

Editor's note: Accurately synthesizes the complex factors of aurochs extinction in Scandinavia using the provided source material.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: Phys.org