Fossilized Evidence: How Ancient Excrement Reveals the Megafauna Extinction in the Colombian Andes

Research from the University of Exeter has uncovered that megafauna extinctions in the Colombian Andes occurred in two distinct waves, around 23,000 years ago and again approximately 11,000 years ago. Fungal spores found in dung at Pantano de Monquentiva provided evidence for these extinctions, which significantly altered local ecosystems. The disappearance of large animals—whose digestion of coprophilous fungi spores indicated their existence—impacted plant species diversity and increased wildfire occurrences. As large animals like the giant armadillo and giant ground sloth vanished, the ecosystem shifted towards more woody and palatable plant species, indicating a dramatic transformation in vegetation.

Researchers noted that the loss of these megafaunal populations made the habitat sensitive to ecological changes, resulting in heightened fire activity due to the absence of herbivory and seed dispersal by animals. The study highlights the essential roles that large animals play in ecosystem regulation and stresses the importance of considering the effects of declines in local herbivore populations on plant dispersal and ecosystem functionality amidst the current biodiversity crisis. These findings underscore the intricate relationships between faunal extinctions and ecological dynamics in the region.



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