Cave Lions and Modern Lions Shared DNA
12 genomes analyzed, including 32,000-year-old cub Sparta.
Climatic changes pushed cave lions southward, causing interaction with modern lions.
Genetic exchange confirmed despite species divergence.
Less than 5% cave lion DNA found in modern lion genomes.
Southwest Asian lion population hunted to extinction by humans by 1900.
Cave lions went extinct 13,000 years ago at end of last Ice Age.
Shifting habitats and human expansion likely caused their extinction.
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