Pre-extinction Demographic Stability and Genomic Signatures of Adaptation in the Woolly Rhinoceros Highlights d Complete genome and mitogenome analysis of the extinct woolly rhinoceros d Demographic analysis suggests stable population size until close to extinction d No increased inbreeding or reduced genomic diversity coinciding with human arrival d Woolly rhinoceros had genetic adaptations to arctic climate

The frozen bodies of a young woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), a wild horse (Equus sp.) and a steppe bison (Bison priscus) were recently found in the northern Yakutia (northeastern Siberia). All specimens have preserved bones, skin and soft tissues. Whereas the woolly mammoth and the Pleistocene horse were represented by partial frozen bodies, the steppe bison body was recovered in an absolutely complete state. All specimens were found frozen in the permafrost, with some of the tissues mummified. The wild horse and steppe bison are of Holocene age, and the mammoth is of Late Pleistocene age.

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