American cheetah identified as puma relative through ancient DNA

New genetic and chemical evidence has revealed that the extinct North American feline known as the ‘American cheetah’ (Miracinonyx trumani) was not a true cheetah, but was actually a close relative of the modern puma. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, reconstructed high-quality genomes from fossils dating between 23,000 and 31,000 years old, confirming that the species shared a common ancestor with pumas approximately 2.6 million years ago.

The study, published in Current Biology, suggests the animal’s physical resemblance to the African cheetah is a result of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits to suit comparable environments. While the cat possessed a slender body and long legs suited for speed, its powerful front legs indicate it was a flexible hunter capable of grasping prey, rather than a highly specialized high-speed predator.

Isotopic analysis of fossilized remains also indicates a broader diet than previously assumed. Some populations may have even survived in Arctic regions by consuming fish. These findings challenge long-held theories that the American cheetah was the primary driver behind the evolution of the American pronghorn’s extreme speed.