Paleolithic Humans Caused Extinction of Dwarf Hippos and Elephants on Cyprus
Paleolithic Humans Caused Extinction of Dwarf Hippos and Elephants on Cyprus
How Early Hunter-Gatherers Drove Megafauna to Extinction on Cyprus
Recent research1 led by Flinders University reveals that Paleolithic hunter-gatherers on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus were responsible for the extinction of two endemic megafauna species: the dwarf hippopotamus (Phanourios minor) and the dwarf elephant (Palaeoloxodon cypriotes). These extinctions occurred within a span of less than 1,000 years, driven by hunting practices and the environmental impacts of the early human settlers on the island.
The Unique Megafauna of Cyprus
Cyprus, due to its isolation and limited predator presence, was home to several unique species of megafauna. Among them were Phanourios minor, the smallest known dwarf hippopotamus in the Mediterranean, and Palaeoloxodon cypriotes, a dwarf elephant species weighing only 530 kg—less than 10% of its mainland ancestor’s size.
Phanourios minor: Adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle, this dwarf hippo weighed around 130 kg and had a shortened, narrow muzzle with brachydont molars, indicative of a browsing diet. Genetic studies suggest it diverged from the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) around 1.4 to 1.6 million years ago.
Palaeoloxodon cypriotes: This dwarf elephant species likely evolved from the straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), which lived in Europe and Western Asia during the Middle and Late Pleistocene. Despite its diminutive size, it was the dominant large herbivore on the island before human arrival.
Human Arrival and Ecological Disruption
The arrival of humans on Cyprus marked the beginning of drastic changes to the island’s ecosystems. These first settlers were hunter-gatherers from the Paleolithic period, estimated to number between 3,000 and 7,000 individuals. Unlike later agricultural communities, these pre-agropastoralist societies relied heavily on hunting for subsistence, which placed immense pressure on the local megafauna.
Previous theories suggested that the introduction of a small human population would not have been enough to cause the rapid extinction of these species. However, the new research, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, refutes this idea by demonstrating how even a modest human presence could disrupt the delicate ecological balance on the island.
Mathematical Models and Extinction Theories
The team led by Professor Corey Bradshaw of Flinders University employed advanced mathematical models to analyze the interaction between human settlers and the megafauna. These models integrated data from paleontology and archaeology to reconstruct human population sizes, energy demands, diet, hunting efficiency, and prey selection.
According to their findings, the combination of hunting pressure and habitat disturbance by humans was more than sufficient to drive both the dwarf hippos and elephants to extinction. The research highlights several key factors:
Human Hunting Efficiency: Even with relatively low technological capacity, the early hunter-gatherers would have been effective enough hunters to deplete the populations of both species.
Prey Selection: The researchers found that the proportion of edible meat provided by the dwarf hippos and elephants made them highly attractive targets for human hunters. Over time, this selective hunting would have reduced the population sizes beyond the point of recovery.
Ecological Impact: Human activities, including hunting and the use of fire, likely disrupted the habitat of these animals, further accelerating their decline.
Professor Bradshaw said,
“Our results provide strong evidence that Paleolithic peoples in Cyprus were at least partially responsible for megafauna extinctions during the Late Pleistocene and early Holocene.”
Implications for Understanding Human-Driven Extinctions
This research challenges previous assumptions about the impact small, technologically limited human populations could have on ecosystems. It underscores the significant role humans played in megafauna extinctions even before the advent of agriculture and advanced tools. The extinction of these dwarf species in Cyprus mirrors similar patterns observed across the world, where human arrival coincided with the disappearance of large mammals. Bradshaw added,
“The main determinant of extinction risk for both species was the proportion of edible meat they provided to the first people on the island.”
This insight highlights the importance of prey size and abundance in understanding how human populations can drive species to extinction.
Conclusion: A Broader Perspective on Human Impacts
The extinction of Phanourios minor and Palaeoloxodon cypriotes on Cyprus illustrates how even small human populations can have profound ecological impacts, particularly in isolated environments. The findings of this study contribute to a growing body of evidence that humans, even during the Paleolithic era, were capable of driving significant changes in biodiversity through hunting and environmental disruption.
As anthropologists and archaeologists continue to explore human-environment interactions throughout history, these insights help to build a more complete picture of how our ancestors shaped the world around them—and how their actions continue to influence modern ecosystems.
Bradshaw, C. J. A., Saltré, F., Crabtree, S. A., Reepmeyer, C., & Moutsiou, T. (2024). Small populations of Palaeolithic humans in Cyprus hunted endemic megafauna to extinction. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, 291(2031). https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.0967