The extinct Eurasian cave lion (Panthera spelea) and modern Lions of Africa and Asia (Panthera leo) have been analyzed through the genomes of 12 cave lions spanning over 100,000 years. This research reveals that cave lions belong to distinct evolutionary lineages that diverged approximately 1.7 million years ago, much earlier than previously estimated.
Lions represent some of the most abundant and widespread megacarnivores in the fossil record over the last million years, with fossils discovered across four continents: Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The earliest fossils showcasing distinct lion traits appeared in East Africa around 1.9 million years ago, and by 1 million years ago, they had spread outside Africa to regions like Syria.
These majestic creatures have been present in Europe since 700,000 years ago (Italy and Britain) and in North America for around 300,000 years, potentially reaching southern North America and even South America as early as 130,000 years ago.
Currently, lions are restricted to a small population in India and fragmented groups in Africa.
Skeletal remains, preserved soft tissues, and Pleistocene cave paintings indicate that northern Arctic lions from the late Pleistocene exhibit distinct morphology compared to modern lions. They were larger and possibly had lighter fur.
Despite their abundance in the Holarctic fossil record during most of the Late Pleistocene, cave lions became extinct approximately 13,000 to 14,000 years ago, marking them as one of the first casualties of the Late Pleistocene megafauna extinction event.
At their peak, cave lions were among the most ecologically significant predators in the Northern Hemisphere.
“The cave lion is often depicted as a more robust version of modern lions,” stated lead researcher Dr. David Stanton, a lecturer at Cardiff University.
“However, our genomic findings are even more intriguing: this lineage has independently evolved for more than a million years, developing unique biological traits.”
Stanton and colleagues utilized 12 cave lion genomes spanning over 100,000 years, demonstrating that modern lions and cave lions represent distinct evolutionary paths.
The researchers meticulously analyzed 12 genomes from cave lions collected over 100,000 years across Eurasia and northernmost North America, comparing them with 20 genomes from modern lions in Africa and southern Asia.
DNA from cave lions was extracted from teeth, bones, and remarkably well-preserved soft tissue specimens, including two cave lion cubs from northern Siberia.
Genomic comparisons illustrated that cave lions and modern lions form separate groups, highlighting a long history of evolutionary separation.
While earlier studies suggested a more recent divergence, this research indicates a much deeper split that may date back approximately 1.7 million years.
Interestingly, evidence shows that these two lineages were not entirely isolated. During glacial periods, cave lions probably migrated into areas occupied by modern lions, allowing for occasional interbreeding.
Cave lions from Central East Asia, dating back around 20,000 years, contained between 3.2% to 4.4% of the ancestry of modern lions, most likely stemming from the now-extinct lion population of Southwest Asia.
The study identified numerous mutations in proteins unique to cave lions, concentrated in genes related to brain function, vision, blood circulation, and growth, indicating significant biological adaptations to their frigid Holarctic ecosystem.
“Our findings suggest that past climate changes influenced more than just habitat alterations,” noted lead author Professor Rav Dalen, research group leader at the Stockholm Center for Paleogenetics.
“It actively facilitated interactions among species, creating brief windows for interbreeding that may not have otherwise occurred.”
The results from this research can be found in the journal Cell.
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David WG Stanton et al. Paleogenomes reveal evolutionary relationships between modern lions and cave lions. Cell published online on June 3, 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.05.007
Source: www.sci.news