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The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

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Taxonomy and Systematics

DNA extracted from extinction:

Genetic fingerprints lifted from bones of long-gone tortoises

"Ancient DNA studies have used only one or two species. Never before has ancient DNA been used to unlock the secrets of evolution in a completely extinct group of animals," the museum said in a statement.

The museum's Jeremy Austin told the British Association science festival that the DNA was taken from bones found in caves on the islands of Reunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues. The bones are the only remaining parts of the tortoises, which had an unusually light shell. So far, eight bones have been analyzed, representing four species of tortoise. The scientists ground the bones to a fine powder before extracting the DNA and analyzing it with highly sensitive techniques.

"The research will continue to add more specimens and more species to get a better picture of the fine scale evolution of this group. Additional samples from species in the Seychelles and Madagascar will also be included, many of which are also extinct," the museum said. Up to 350 scientists are presenting the results of their research during the weeklong annual conference.