Kate Brooks
Major: Geology
Faculty Advisor: Renee Love
Project Title:
Determining Probable Cause of Death and Chance of Bone Disease in a Mammoth from Southeastern Idaho
Abstract
Analysis of a near-complete skeleton of a 11,700 ± 40-year-old mammoth from southeastern Idaho has the potential to show whether Columbian and Woolly mammoth interbreeding caused introgressive hybridization and genetic diseases in their offspring: the Jeffersonian Mammoth. Understanding circumstances surrounding this mammoth’s death have raised several questions that have led us to discover that it was a juvenile male (~12-18 years old). In this study, CT (computerized tomography) scans, 3D modeling applications, and optical observation revealed potential bone disease and lameness. Enlarged pore sizes of up to 3mm in diameter occur in the joints and feet; this is in contrast to normal ranges for pores that are typically less than 0.1mm. Pore widening can be an indicator of osteoporosis or other diseases such as Kashin-Beck disease. The internal fracture is ~5.05cm long inside the right calcaneum bone and is identified by a thickened callus around the fracture. This could be an indicator of lameness and may have contributed to the mammoth’s eventual death. There is also evidence that osteofibrotic changes can cause increased bone fragility that may have led to this fracture. Unusual markings have been observed externally on the joints, long bones, and foot bones. Preliminary interpretation of these markings suggest evidence of premortem ulcers or deformation caused by an underlining bone disease. This mammoth presents a feature on the distal end of its ulna measuring 4cm x 4.5cm and may be an ulcer. These observations provide insight into possible bone diseases within the mammoth, whether it died because of bone disease or lameness, and the premortem state of the mammoth. The evidence also allows for further study into hybridization of mammoths right before their final demise in North America.
Funding: Hill Undergraduate Research Fellowship
