Genomic identification and complete mitochondrial recovery of a Late Holocene porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) mummy from Yukon permafrost

Researchers have identified the first known mummified remains of an ancient North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), nicknamed 'Ts'ey' in the Hän language, from Yukon permafrost. This 3000-year-old specimen, recovered from the Traditional Territory of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, represents a Late Holocene find significantly younger than typical Pleistocene megafauna deposits in the region. Genetic analysis and metagenomic validation confirmed its identity and yielded the first-ever complete ancient mitochondrial genome for E. dorsatum, underscoring the potential of permafrost to preserve interglacial specimens. The discovery supports the hypothesis that porcupines dispersed into Yukon and Alaska following boreal forest establishment post-Last Glacial Period.

Selvatici, S., Jin, C., Zazula, G., Hall, E., Hewitson, S., Moots, H. M., Sharif, B., Ersmark, E., Parducci, L., Dalén, L., Díez-del-Molino, D., & Oteo-García, G. (2026). Genomic identification and complete mitochondrial recovery of a Late Holocene porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) mummy from Yukon permafrost. Scientific Reports, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-44540-2