Ancient genomes reveal an extinct bovine species from mid-latitude Asia.

Ancient genomes reveal yak X as a distinct bovine species that diverged from modern yaks at least 400,000 years ago, with a decline and disappearance during the Late Pleistocene.

• Why it matters: Understanding extinct species like yak X fills gaps in the evolutionary history of bovines and sheds light on Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions, especially in Asia's biodiversity hotspots.
• What they did: Researchers sequenced 20 nuclear genomes from Middle and Late Pleistocene yak X specimens across mid-latitude Asia, analyzing their phylogenetic relationships and demographic history.
• The result: Yak X was a separate species with declining genetic diversity before its extinction, and the findings emphasize the region's role as a key area of Pleistocene bovine diversity and extinction.