New pleistocene cave faunas of the andes of central Peru : radiocarbon ages and the survival of low latitude, pleistocene DNA

Peruvian citizens have led our team to their discoveries of Pleistocene cave faunas in the central Andes of Per. These caves (Jatun Uchco, Departamento de Huanuco; Cueva Rosello, Departamento de Junin; and Trigo Jirka, Departamento de Huanuco) preserve numerous carnivorans (Puma, a sabercat [Smilodon populator], an unnamed large extinct felid, fox [Lycalopex sp.], hognose skunk [Conepatus sp.]), deer (cf. Pudu and cf. Hippocamelus), vicuna, an extinct horse (dagger Onohippidium devillei), a chinchillid rodent (cf. Lagidium), bats (Anoura, Desmodus, and Platalina), and sloths (dagger Megatherium, dagger Scelidodon, and, dagger Diabolotherium). Bats were found only in the lowest cave (Jatun Uchco, 2,150 m), and ungulates were found only at Cueva Rosello-the only cave studied in a region of flat terrain. Trigo Jirka preserved ancient feces of a large animal and the keratin claw of dagger Diabolotherium. Collagen for radiocarbon dating and DNA for phylogenetic studies have been isolated from bone from Cueva Rosello (3,875 m) and Trigo Jirka (2,700 m). Conventional radiometric ages from Cueva Rosello are 23,340 +/- 120 and 22,220 +/- 130 years before present and that of Trigo Jirka is 29,140 +/- 260. Ancient DNA (aDNA) from dagger Onohippidium of Cueva Rosello (12 degrees South latitude) and dagger Diabolotherium of Trigo Jirka (10 degrees South) is being used in phylogenetic studies. The successful recovery of aDNA suggests that the cool temperatures, low humidity, and the shield from UV radiation of caves at high elevation can permit aDNA studies at low latitudes. Previously, such studies have been limited to latitudes greater than 35 degrees for Pleistocene samples