Unlocking Ancient Mammal Evolution: Citizen Scientist's Tip Leads to Utah Cave Discoveries

Scientists from the Natural History Museum of Utah have collaborated with Utah's caving community to study mammal evolution in alpine ecosystems. By exploring caves and collecting skeletal remains, the researchers were able to uncover a zoological baseline for mammalian changes in the recent past. The fossils found in Boomerang Cave, dating back 3,000 years, provided insights into mammal diversity and revealed the presence of previously unknown species. This unique collaboration between scientists and citizen scientists highlights the value of caves as archives for understanding the impacts of climate on ecosystems.