Scientists name unexpected reason for mammoth extinction

A new study suggests that pollen allergies may have been one of the reasons for the extinction of woolly mammoths. According to the scientists, the vegetation boom that occurred at the end of the last ice age created huge clouds of pollen that caused allergic reactions in animals.

These reactions may have blocked the mammoths' sense of smell, making it difficult for them to find food and communicate, which significantly affected their ability to reproduce.The researchers explain that blocking the sense of smell during the breeding season may have prevented mammoths from finding mates, causing a sharp decline in the population, ScienceDirect writes.

This, in turn, could be a key factor in the species' extinction, along with other factors such as human hunting and climate change.

Woolly mammoths disappeared from most regions around 10,000 years ago, although some populations survived until 4,000 years ago on Wrangell Island. Scientists are still debating the causes of their demise, and pollen allergies may be another factor that accelerated their extinction.

The authors of the study suggest testing the allergic reaction theory by examining pollen residues in mummified mammoth tissues and in their food remains. In addition, traces of immunoglobulin E (IgE) could be searched for in fossilized feces, which could confirm the presence of allergic reactions in these animals.

Nevertheless, some experts are skeptical of this hypothesis. Evolutionary biologist Vincent Lynch notes that the idea of pollen allergy seems "pretty far out there" and requires additional evidence. Lynch believes that human intervention and environmental changes were most likely the main causes of the mammoths' extinction.

DNA studies of mammoths from Wrangell Island have also shown that the last mammoths lost the ability to smell certain flowering plants, which may have affected their survival. However, final conclusions about the impact of allergies on mammoth extinction still require further research and confirmation.

If you want to get the latest news about the war and events in Ukraine, subscribe to our Telegram channel!