Researchers Unveil Ancient Arctic Rhino Species in Canada

Researchers have identified a new extinct rhino species in Canada’s High Arctic, broadening our understanding of rhinoceros evolution. The species, named Epiatheracerium itjilik, lived approximately 23 million years ago during the Early Miocene epoch. This discovery, detailed in a study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, highlights the northernmost known rhino species.

Lead author Danielle Fraser, head of palaeobiology at the Canadian Museum of Nature, emphasized the significance of this find. “Today there are only five species of rhinos in Africa and Asia, but in the past they were found in Europe and North America, with more than 50 species known from the fossil record,” she stated. The addition of the Arctic species provides vital insights into the evolutionary history of rhinos.

Discovering ‘Frosty’ the Rhino

The official name, Epiatheracerium itjilik, derives from the Inuktitut word for “frosty” or “frost.” Researchers unearthed the bones at a Miocene fossil site known as the Haughton Crater on Devon Island, Nunavut. This area was once a temperate forest habitat, a stark contrast to its current Arctic climate. The remarkably preserved skeleton is nearly complete, with about 75% of the bones recovered, making it an exceptional find.

Co-author Marisa Gilbert, a paleobiologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, noted the condition of the bones. “They are three-dimensionally preserved and have only been partially replaced by minerals,” she explained. The wear on the cheek teeth indicates that this particular rhino lived into its early to mid-adulthood.

Despite its impressive size, standing approximately 3 feet (1 meter) tall and comparable to a modern muskox, the E. itjilik did not possess a horn. Its diet likely consisted of leaves, twigs, and shrubs, similar to the vegetation found in southern Ontario today.

Implications for Evolutionary History

The research team also conducted a thorough analysis of the rhinocerotids family tree, revealing new information about the dispersal of the Rhinocerotidae family. Their findings suggest that the Arctic rhino migrated to North America via the now-submerged North Atlantic Land Bridge, challenging previous studies that proposed this route was only effective until around 56 million years ago.

Fraser explained, “It’s always exciting and informative to describe a new species. But there is more that comes from the identification of Epiatheracerium itjilik, as our reconstructions of rhino evolution show that the North Atlantic played a much more important role in their evolution than previously thought.”

The study underscores the importance of the Arctic in providing new knowledge about mammal diversification over time. As researchers continue to explore this region, they anticipate further discoveries that could reshape our understanding of prehistoric life.