Ancient DNA reveals differences in behaviour and sociality between brown bears and extinct cave bears.
Gloria G Fortes, Aurora Grandal DAnglade, Ben Kolbe, Daniel Fernandes, Ioanna Meleg, Ana Garcia Vazquez, Ana Pinto Llona, Silviu Constantin, Trino J de Torres, Jose E Ortiz, Christine Frischauf, Gernot Rabeder, Michael Hofreiter, Axel Barlow
This study uses ancient DNA to show that cave bears had homing behavior and stable maternal groups, while brown bears did not, suggesting behavioral differences that may have contributed to cave bear extinction.
bioRxiv · May 30, 2016Animal Behavior & Cognition