A multispecies overkill simulation of the end-Pleistocene megafaunal mass extinction

A computer simulation of North American end-Pleistocene human and Large her bivore population dynamics correctly predicts the extinction or survival of 32 out of 41 prey species. Slow human population growth rates, random hunt ing, and Low maximum hunting effort are assumed; additional parameters are based on published values. Predictions are close to observed values for ove rall extinction rates, human population densities, game consumption rates, and the temporal overlap of humans and extinct species. Results are robust to variation in unconstrained parameters. This fully mechanistic model acco unts for megafaunal extinction without invoking climate change and secondar y ecological effects.