Story perspectives

Mammoths' Surprising Interbreeding Revealed by Ancient Teeth

9/30/2025

31 4

Summary

Story summary

North American mammoths interbred more frequently than previously thought, with hybrids common over the past 400,000 years.
Canadian teeth show Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbianus) and woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) DNA.
This refines evolutionary models, underscoring hybridization as a driver of mammoth development.
Two molars indicate consistent interbreeding, with 21% and 35% Columbian DNA.
Biology Letters published September 24, 2025.

1 of 1

Story summary

North American mammoths interbred more frequently than previously thought, with hybrids common over the past 400,000 years.
Canadian teeth show Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbianus) and woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) DNA.
This refines evolutionary models, underscoring hybridization as a driver of mammoth development.
Two molars indicate consistent interbreeding, with 21% and 35% Columbian DNA.
Biology Letters published September 24, 2025.