Researchers uncover genomic info linking extinct giant ground sloth to modern species

[Judi Lynn]

May 15, 2018, McMaster University



The Mylodon cave in which the bone analyzed by researchers was collected. Credit: Walter Ferry Dissmann (Creative Commons)


Researchers have uncovered important genomic data from the remains of an ancient giant ground sloth, or Mylodon darwinii, the emblematic creature named after Charles Darwin, whose discovery of fossilized remains in South America is considered to be one of his significant scientific achievements.

Using a bone fragment which dates back nearly 13,000 years, scientists teased out and reconstructed DNA fragments to obtain a high-quality mitochondrial genome and nuclear genomic information. The analysis, they say, proves for the first time that the giant ground sloth—which went extinct approximately 10,000 years ago—is a close relative of the modern two-fingered sloth, believed to be one of the world's slowest mammals.

. . .

These remains found within the exceptional site of Mylodon Cave, in Patagonia, Chile, were the first non-human samples used by scientists in early genetic tests which yielded genuine ancient DNA.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-05-uncover-genomic-info-linking-extinct.html#jCp