Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops food
Sea almond leaf
Aquarium filter
Lighting
Substrate
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Heating
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Palaeontology: Researchers discover northernmost rhinoceros in Earth’s history
New fossils from the Canadian High Arctic change the picture of rhinoceros evolution
Far above today’s Arctic Circle, palaeontologists have made a spectacular discovery: the northernmost remains of a rhinoceros known to date have been found in the rock layers of the Haughton Crater on Devon Island in the Canadian High Arctic. The newly identified species, Epiaceratherium itjilik, lived around 23 million years ago in the early Miocene epoch – a time when forests grew in the then temperate Arctic and the climate was mild.
Hornless forest dweller with European relatives
The newly discovered rhinoceros was small, slender and had no horn, a typical feature of early rhinoceros lineages. The name ‘itjilik’, derived from the Inuit language and translated as ‘frosty’, refers to the location where it was found in the High Arctic. The state of preservation of the fossils is particularly remarkable: around 75 percent of the skeleton was recovered, many bones are in three-dimensional form and show only minor mineral changes.
‘Such a complete rhino fossil from this region is absolutely extraordinary. It offers rare insights into the anatomy and lifestyle of early rhinos,’ explains palaeontologist Marisa Gilbert, co-author of the study. Even protein residues from the tooth enamel could be analysed, a rare stroke of luck for palaeogenetics.
The Arctic as a hub of evolution
Analysis of the skeleton shows that Epiaceratherium itjilik was closely related to European rhinos. The find thus provides decisive evidence that early rhino lineages spread further north and west than previously assumed. An updated family tree of 57 mainly fossil rhino species suggests that Europe and North America were still connected by land bridges during the Miocene epoch. These connections were previously believed to have disappeared much earlier.
This new finding challenges the current understanding of rhinoceros evolution. According to this, rhinoceroses used the so-called North Atlantic land bridge to reach North America via Greenland. And this happened much later than previously assumed.
A fossil changes history
The discovery of Epiaceratherium itjilik not only provides the northernmost rhinoceros in Earth’s history, but also an important piece of the puzzle in understanding how large mammals spread in a changing global climate. While today’s Arctic is dominated by ice and cold, it was once a green gateway between continents and a habitat for exotic animals such as this hornless rhinoceros.
‘This discovery once again demonstrates the scientific potential that lies dormant in the Arctic,’ emphasises study leader Danielle Fraser. ‘The region is not merely a peripheral area in Earth’s history, but played a central role in the evolution of mammals.’
Conclusion
The discovery of Epiaceratherium itjilik opens a new chapter in the history of rhinos. It proves that this group of animals was not only more adaptable than previously thought, but also used the Arctic as an important habitat and migration route. The discovery also underscores the fact that even the frostiest regions of the Earth still hold secrets – and can fundamentally change our view of the past.
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