Back in the day, two male lions in Kenya were known as the infamous “man-eaters of Tsavo.” These fierce predators feasted on humans while the local railway was being constructed. However, a groundbreaking DNA analysis of hairs found in their tooth cavities is shedding light on their diverse and sometimes unexpected diet.
“This method offers a fresh perspective on history,” says anthropological geneticist Ripan Malhi from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This innovative approach could potentially help scientists uncover ancient diets dating back thousands of years.
The skulls and skins of these legendary lions have been housed at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History since 1925, providing clues about why they developed a taste for hunting humans. Both lions had damaged teeth, possibly making it difficult to prey on their usual large herbivores.
Hidden within the broken fangs are traces of mammal hairs.
Date: 2024-10-11 10:00:00
Original Source: www.sciencenews.org