Late Pleistocene extinctions

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The Late Pleistocene to the beginning of the Holocene saw numerous extinctions of predominantly megafaunal (typically defined as having body masses over 44 kilograms (97 lb))^[1] animal species (the Pleistocene megafauna), which resulted in a collapse in faunal density and diversity across the globe.^[2] The extinctions during the Late Pleistocene are differentiated from previous extinctions by the widespread absence of ecological succession to replace these extinct megafaunal species,^[3] and the regime shift of previously established faunal relationships and habitats as a consequence. The timing and severity of the extinctions varied by region and are thought to have been driven by varying combinations of human and climatic factors.^[3] Human impact on megafauna populations is thought to have been driven by hunting ("overkill"),^[4][5] as well as possibly environmental alteration.^[6] The relative importance of human vs climatic factors in the extinctions has been the subject of long-running controversy.^[3]

Major extinctions occurred in Australia-New Guinea (Sahul) beginning approximately 50,000 years ago and in the Americas about 13,000 years ago, coinciding in time with the early human migrations into these regions.^[7] Extinctions in northern Eurasia were staggered over tens of thousands of years between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago,^[2] while extinctions in the Americas were virtually simultaneous, spanning only 3000 years at most.^[4][8] Overall, during the Late Pleistocene about 65% of all megafaunal species worldwide became extinct,^[9] rising to 72% in North America, 83% in South America and 88% in Australia,^[10] with all mammals over 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) becoming extinct in Australia and the Americas,^[1] and around 80% globally.^[11] Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia experienced more moderate extinctions than other regions.^[10]