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"Waves of Extinction" – Prehistoric Poo Tells the Story of Megafauna Extinction in Colombian Andes
SciTechDaily ^ | May 2, 2023 | University Of Exeter

Posted on 05/02/2023 2:18:20 PM PDT by SunkenCiv

Coprophilous fungi spores, which are integral to the life cycle of large animals weighing over 45 kg, pass through the digestive systems of these creatures. Consequently, the presence of such spores in sediment samples indicates that these sizable animals once inhabited specific locations and time periods.

Researchers led by the University of Exeter determined that the local extinction of large animals at Pantano de Monquentiva occurred approximately 23,000 years ago and again around 11,000 years ago, significantly affecting ecosystems. The study relied on samples taken from a peat bog in Pantano de Monquentiva, situated about 60 km from Bogota in the eastern cordillera. Notably, this research was the first of its kind to be carried out in Colombia...

...said Dr Dunia H. Urrego, of Exeter's Global Systems Institute. "By analyzing samples of fungal spores, as well as pollen and charcoal, we were able to track the extinction of large animals, and... found the Monquentiva ecosystem changed dramatically when large animals disappeared, with different plant species thriving and wildfires increasing."

Analysis of the fungal spores does not show which large animals were present, but species known to roam Colombia in this period include the giant armadillo and the six-meter-tall giant ground sloth.

The findings show that plentiful megafauna existed in the area for thousands of years, then disappeared entirely about 23,000 years ago.

About 5,000 years later, megafauna began to live in the area again – likely at lower numbers – before another wave of extinction about 11,000 years ago reduced them almost to zero.

The cause of these local extinctions is unknown, but climate changes and hunting by humans are two possibilities. Researchers have even suggested that a meteorite strike was the cause.

(Excerpt) Read more at scitechdaily.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: catastrophism; godsgravesglyphs; iceage; megafauna
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The Cycle of Cosmic Catastrophes: Flood, Fire, and Famine in the History of Civilization
The Cycle of Cosmic Catastrophes:
Flood, Fire, and Famine
in the History of Civilization

by Richard Firestone,
Allen West, and
Simon Warwick-Smith


1 posted on 05/02/2023 2:18:20 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
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To: 75thOVI; Abathar; agrace; aimhigh; Alice in Wonderland; AnalogReigns; AndrewC; aragorn; ...



2 posted on 05/02/2023 2:18:53 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpers are Republicans the same way Liz Cheney is a Republican.)
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To: SunkenCiv

“Prehistoric Poo” sounds like a Frank Zappa song.


3 posted on 05/02/2023 2:19:23 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
Thanks, FReeper to (not) be named later.

4 posted on 05/02/2023 2:20:34 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpers are Republicans the same way Liz Cheney is a Republican.)
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To: BenLurkin

It occurs because of the Illinois Enema Bandit.


5 posted on 05/02/2023 2:21:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpers are Republicans the same way Liz Cheney is a Republican.)
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To: SunkenCiv
The cause of these local extinctions is unknown, but climate changes and hunting by humans are two possibilities.

I figured it was my fault.

6 posted on 05/02/2023 2:21:09 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (“You want it one way, but it's the other way”)
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To: BenLurkin

and Waves of Extinction is a great name for a rock band. Apologies to Dave Barry


7 posted on 05/02/2023 2:21:44 PM PDT by xp38
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To: ClearCase_guy

:^)


8 posted on 05/02/2023 2:24:46 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpers are Republicans the same way Liz Cheney is a Republican.)
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To: BenLurkin

9 posted on 05/02/2023 2:33:56 PM PDT by PGR88
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To: All

wite ppl be owin sheetloads mo reparations to da neares relatives of da giant sloths

lol


10 posted on 05/02/2023 2:36:44 PM PDT by SteveH
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To: SunkenCiv

Researchers have even suggested that a meteorite strike was the cause. climate changes and hunting by humans are two possibilities


Leading cause with lots of evidence world wide. Climate Change is what happened AFTER the Strike, which was from comet debris and the strikes lasted perhaps 100 years. Most of North America, not covered by ice, was engulfed in fire storms which burned off 4% of Earth’s vegetation and lower atmospheric oxygen. Immediately after, the Earth was plunged into the Younger Dryas event which lasted 1000 years and was the coldest time ever.


11 posted on 05/02/2023 2:46:28 PM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: SunkenCiv

12 posted on 05/02/2023 3:38:47 PM PDT by Magnum44 (...against all enemies, foreign and domestic... )
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To: BenLurkin

Copralite.


13 posted on 05/02/2023 4:17:51 PM PDT by silent majority rising
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To: SunkenCiv

Vikings for the win.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/bum-splitting-turd-uncovered-uk-29568138


14 posted on 05/02/2023 4:28:46 PM PDT by ameribbean expat (The object of life is...to avoid finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -Aurelius)
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To: PIF

Cosmic Debris?


15 posted on 05/02/2023 5:17:38 PM PDT by dmcnash (Back off! I'm a Scientist.)
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To: ameribbean expat

Before the 1920s Prohibition and rise of the Mob, that is what they called “a stoolie”.

Coprology always seemed like a weird specialty, even though we all do it with our own — “OMG, this one feels like a can of beer!” or even just “How’d I do?” I’ve got a book about it, somewhere, I guess I just have to follow my nose. I’ve never wanted to know what they used to make the ink.


16 posted on 05/02/2023 5:24:08 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpers are Republicans the same way Liz Cheney is a Republican.)
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To: PIF

An our millennials are worried about cow farts!


17 posted on 05/02/2023 5:26:22 PM PDT by miserare ( "Equity" is the new word for Communism.)
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To: Magnum44

Looks like someone — or something — got their poop in a group.


18 posted on 05/02/2023 5:40:45 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpers are Republicans the same way Liz Cheney is a Republican.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Should have banned internal combustion engines sooner than we had thought.


19 posted on 05/02/2023 7:17:39 PM PDT by Petrosius
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To: dmcnash

Cosmic Debris?

“comet debris” - where you got ‘cosmic’ is anybody’s guess.


20 posted on 05/03/2023 3:24:57 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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