Cell：从110万年前猛犸象化石中发现最古老的宿主相关细菌DNA

Core Viewpoint - The research on ancient genomic studies has expanded to include the microbiomes associated with extinct species, particularly the woolly mammoth, revealing insights into ancient host-associated microbes [3][4]. Group 1: Research Overview - The study published in the journal Cell identifies ancient microbes from mammoth remains, marking the oldest microbial DNA sequenced to date, dating back 1.1 million years [3][6]. - The research team analyzed 483 mammoth samples, including teeth, skulls, and skin, from various locations, spanning from North America to Siberia, covering a timeline from the early Pleistocene to the last extinction event around 4,000 years ago [6][8]. Group 2: Microbial Findings - The analysis identified 310 microbial species associated with different mammoth tissues, with six host-associated microbial lineages identified, including genera such as Actinobacillus, Pasteurella, Streptococcus, and Erysipelothrix [7][8]. - Notably, a portion of the genome of Erysipelothrix was reconstructed from a 1.1 million-year-old mammoth sample, representing the oldest identified host-associated microbial DNA to date [7][8]. Group 3: Implications of the Research - This research opens new avenues for understanding the biology of extinct species and their associated microbiomes, providing valuable information for paleoecology and evolutionary studies [10].