Record of Human Migration Hiding in the DNA of a Musky Rodent
8 hours ago
- Asian house shrews (Suncus murinus) have spread across Asia and Africa as stowaways on human migrations.
- A study used shrew DNA to trace human migration and trade routes, revealing multiple waves of dispersal.
- The shrews' genetic data uncovered previously unknown human movements between Iran, Yemen, East Africa, and islands.
- Distinct genomics show shrews were introduced to Japan at least twice, and link populations across continents.
- Initial shrew spread occurred via agriculture in the Indian subcontinent, then through human migration and trade.