Axel Barlow

Ancient biomolecules suggest learned foraging strategy in extinct cave bears

This study uses isotope and ancient DNA analysis to show that cave bears adapted their diets based on foraging experience rather than genetics.

Postglacial recolonization of the Southern Ocean by elephant seals occurred from multiple glacial refugia

This study uses genetic analysis of ancient seal samples to show that southern elephant seals recolonized the Southern Ocean from multiple glacial refugia during postglacial periods.

High standing diversity masks extreme genetic erosion in a declining snake.

The paper shows that high average heterozygosity in adders may mask severe genetic erosion due to recent bottlenecks, suggesting whole-genome sequencing is better for assessing genetic risk.

First mitogenome phylogeny of the sun bear Helarctos malayanus reveals a deep split between Indochinese and Sundaic lineages

The paper presents new mitochondrial genome sequences of sun bears, revealing a deep split between Indochinese and Sundaic lineages and suggesting recent demographic processes reduced mtDNA variation.

Consensify: a method for generating pseudohaploid genome sequences from palaeogenomic datasets with reduced error rates

Consensify generates pseudohaploid genome sequences from palaeogenomic datasets with reduced error rates, improving phylogenetic and population clustering analyses.

Complex admixture preceded and followed the extinction of wisent in the wild

This study uses historical genomes to show admixture before and after wisent extinction, challenging previous subspecies classifications.

Ancient DNA reveals differences in behaviour and sociality between brown bears and extinct cave bears.

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.