Lonesome
George, the last known member of his sub-species, died back in June in
the Galapagos Islands. His death marked the extinction of Chelonoidis
nigra abingdoni, and although attempts were made to breed him with the
females of a closely related species, all eggs were infertile.
However, a new study proves there might still be hope. Scientists at Yale University took genetic samples of the to
rtoises
living on the island of Isabella, and compared them to the DNA of C.n.
abingdoni. What they found was surprising; they had identified three
males, nine females, and five juveniles (under the age of 20) with DNA
from C.n. abingdoni. Although none were purebred, these hybrids proved
that C.n. abingdoni had lived on the island and bred successfully with
other tortoises, and the presence of juveniles means that these animals
were alive and reproducing not too long ago!
Chelonoidis nigra
abingdoni was originally native to Pinta Island, which is around 30
miles away from Isabella. The sub-species was first thought to be
extinct in 1906, until Lonesome George was discovered in 1972. Many of
the Galapagos Islands are extremely remote, so it remains plausible that
some members of the species remain in undisturbed spots on various
islands. But how did such an enormous tortoise end up on an island it
was not native to? Ocean currents could not have carried them, so
scientists believe that European explorers had transported them via
ship.
The researchers plan to return to the island of Isabella
and look for more hybrids and purebreds, in hopes of beginning a captive
breeding program. Extinction might signify the end, but new methods in
science are beginning to help us correct the past and restore ecosystems
one species at a time.
http://
Image credit: smh.com.au
Lonesome
George, the last known member of his sub-species, died back in June in
the Galapagos Islands. His death marked the extinction of Chelonoidis
nigra abingdoni, and although attempts were made to breed him with the
females of a closely related species, all eggs were infertile.
However, a new study proves there might still be hope. Scientists at Yale University took genetic samples of the to
However, a new study proves there might still be hope. Scientists at Yale University took genetic samples of the to
rtoises
living on the island of Isabella, and compared them to the DNA of C.n.
abingdoni. What they found was surprising; they had identified three
males, nine females, and five juveniles (under the age of 20) with DNA
from C.n. abingdoni. Although none were purebred, these hybrids proved
that C.n. abingdoni had lived on the island and bred successfully with
other tortoises, and the presence of juveniles means that these animals
were alive and reproducing not too long ago!
Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni was originally native to Pinta Island, which is around 30 miles away from Isabella. The sub-species was first thought to be extinct in 1906, until Lonesome George was discovered in 1972. Many of the Galapagos Islands are extremely remote, so it remains plausible that some members of the species remain in undisturbed spots on various islands. But how did such an enormous tortoise end up on an island it was not native to? Ocean currents could not have carried them, so scientists believe that European explorers had transported them via ship.
The researchers plan to return to the island of Isabella and look for more hybrids and purebreds, in hopes of beginning a captive breeding program. Extinction might signify the end, but new methods in science are beginning to help us correct the past and restore ecosystems one species at a time.
http://
Image credit: smh.com.au
Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni was originally native to Pinta Island, which is around 30 miles away from Isabella. The sub-species was first thought to be extinct in 1906, until Lonesome George was discovered in 1972. Many of the Galapagos Islands are extremely remote, so it remains plausible that some members of the species remain in undisturbed spots on various islands. But how did such an enormous tortoise end up on an island it was not native to? Ocean currents could not have carried them, so scientists believe that European explorers had transported them via ship.
The researchers plan to return to the island of Isabella and look for more hybrids and purebreds, in hopes of beginning a captive breeding program. Extinction might signify the end, but new methods in science are beginning to help us correct the past and restore ecosystems one species at a time.
http://
Image credit: smh.com.au
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