Early Homo sapiens Facilitated the Establishment of Bonelli's Eagle in the Mediterranean 50,000 Years Ago

Study Reveals Ancient Human Influence on Bonelli's Eagle and Its Competitors

A groundbreaking study¹ led by the University of Granada (UGR) uncovers how early Homo sapiens influenced the establishment of Bonelli's eagles in the Mediterranean. This research highlights the complex interplay between human activity and avian competition, revealing that while early human presence facilitated Bonelli's eagles' establishment, modern human activities now threaten their survival.

Introduction

Scientists have unraveled the ancestral history of one of the most iconic birds of prey in the current Iberian fauna: the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata). Combining evidence from palaeontology, genetics, and ecology, a team of Spanish and Portuguese researchers has answered key questions about the colonization of the Mediterranean Basin by Bonelli's eagle, a species typically found in tropical and subtropical areas.

Bonelli’s eagle. Author: F. David Carmona