Mitochondrial Genomes of Giant Deers Suggest their Late Survival in Central Europe

New genetic evidence from the Swabian Jura, Germany, reveals that the giant deer Megaloceros giganteus survived until at least 12,000 years ago—far later than previously thought. Analysis of nearly complete mitochondrial genomes from two ancient specimens shows strong phylogenetic links to fallow deer and confirms a Dama-Megaloceros clade. Isotope data further suggests heightened competition with red deer and reindeer post-Last Glacial Maximum may have contributed to its extinction in Central Europe.

Immel, A., Drucker, D. G., Bonazzi, M., Jahnke, T. K., Münzel, S. C., Schuenemann, V. J., Herbig, A., Kind, C.-J., & Krause, J. (2015). Mitochondrial Genomes of Giant Deers Suggest their Late Survival in Central Europe. Scientific Reports, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep10853