Epigraph

Do they not then look at the camel, how it is created? And at the heaven, how it is raised high? And at the mountains, how they are set up? And at the earth, how it is spread out? (Al Quran 88:17-20)

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

Camels, renowned for their resilience in arid environments, have a fascinating evolutionary history that traces back to small, forest-dwelling mammals in North America. Over millions of years, they underwent significant adaptations, leading to the diverse species we recognize today.

Early Ancestors: Protylopus and Poebrotherium

Approximately 45 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch, the earliest known camelids, such as Protylopus, inhabited the rainforests and savannahs of North America. These small, rabbit-sized creatures had four toes on each foot and were adapted to a forested environment. By the late Eocene, around 35 million years ago, camelids like Poebrotherium had evolved, losing the two lateral toes and growing to the size of a modern goat. The Daily Wildlife

Diversification and Migration

During the Miocene epoch, around 17 million years ago, camelids diversified into two main lineages: the Camelini, leading to modern camels, and the Lamini, leading to llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. These groups remained confined to North America until about 6 million years ago when Paracamelus, a genus of camelids, crossed the Bering land bridge into Eurasia, giving rise to the ancestors of modern camels. Around 3 to 2 million years ago, another genus, Hemiauchenia, migrated into South America, leading to the evolution of modern llamas and their relatives. Wikipedia

Adaptations to Diverse Environments

As camelids migrated and diversified, they developed various adaptations to survive in different environments. In North America, some evolved into large forms like Titanotylopus, standing about 3.5 meters at the shoulder. Others, such as Stenomylus, were small and gazelle-like, while genera like Aepycamelus and Oxydactylus had long legs and necks, resembling giraffes, allowing them to feed on high tree leaves. Wikipedia

Extinction in North America

Despite their success, camelids in North America faced extinction around 11,000 years ago, during the Quaternary extinction event. Factors contributing to their decline include climate change and hunting pressures from early human settlers. Notably, Camelops, the last known camelid genus in North America, became extinct during this period. Wikipedia

Survival and Domestication

While camelids disappeared from North America, they thrived in other regions. In Asia and Africa, descendants of Paracamelus evolved into the dromedary (one-humped) and Bactrian (two-humped) camels. In South America, descendants of Hemiauchenia gave rise to llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. These species were domesticated by early human societies and continue to play significant roles in their respective cultures. Wikipedia

Conclusion

The evolution of camels from small, forest-dwelling mammals in North America to the diverse species found across the globe today is a testament to their adaptability and resilience. Through migration and adaptation, camelids have become integral to various ecosystems and human societies, showcasing the dynamic nature of evolution.