First ancient DNA sequences of the Late Pleistocene red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the Crimea, Ukraine

Abstract

The Emine-Bair-Khosar Cave (EBK), situated on the northern edge of the Lower Plateau of the Chatyrdag Massif (Crimean Mountains) is rich in palaeontological material accumulated over most of the Pleistocene. mtDNA was isolated from bones of three specimens of red deer (Cervus elaphus) dated to the late Pleistocene (MIS 3). These are the first ancient DNA sequences obtained for this species. The position of the three red deer individuals on the phylogeographic tree is based on mtDNA sequences of contemporary representatives of the Cervinae inhabiting the Northern Hemisphere. The results confirm the notion that the Crimean Peninsula was the north-easternmost refugium in Europe, and that during and after the Late Pleistocene it played a major role in recolonisation and dispersal of temperate species in the whole Eurasian continent.