A recent discovery in northern Yukon initially led researchers to believe they had stumbled upon ice-age puma or cougar bones. However, DNA analysis conducted by Molly Cassatt-Johnstone from the University of California revealed a surprising twist. These bones, which were among the first samples Cassatt-Johnstone had worked on, were identified as belonging to the extinct American cheetah, known as Yukon Miracinonyx.

The revelation of the true identity of these ancient felines was a significant breakthrough that shed new light on their diet and range. Through a paper published in Current Biology, Cassatt-Johnstone and her team provided insights into the behavior of these creatures that roamed the Arctic tundra during the ice age.

The discovery challenged previous assumptions about the American cheetah’s hunting habits, as researchers believed they would have been specialized predators of pronghorn antelope in the lower 48 states. The absence of pronghorn in the Beringia region, where these cheetahs were found, raised questions about how they survived in such a unique environment.

To unravel this mystery, researchers employed stable isotope analysis to investigate the diet and ecological context of the Yukon cheetahs. Surprisingly, the study revealed that these ancient felines primarily fed on fish, a behavior uncommon among both past and present-day cats. This dietary preference was believed to be an adaptation to the abundant salmon runs in the region.

Further genetic analysis showed that the Yukon Miracinonyx was more closely related to North American pumas than African cheetahs. The study also highlighted the low genetic diversity and limited adaptive potential of the population, which may have contributed to their eventual extinction.

Yukon paleontologist Grant Zazula proposed renaming this unique northern population from ‘American Cheetah’ to ‘Yukon Cheetah’ to reflect their distinct characteristics and habitat preferences. The discovery of these fishing felines underscores the ongoing potential for new insights in paleontology, emphasizing the importance of even the smallest bone discoveries in unraveling the mysteries of the past.