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Hybrid Mammoth DNA Found

Article on recent work by the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre regarding the genetics of Columbian mammoths. The findings suggest that Woolly and Columbian mammoths share very similar mitochondria and may have interbred.

Jun 01, 2011

Author: Tim Wall

Media: Discovery News

Date: June 2011

Woolly and Columbian mammoths, two species of elephant that once lived in North America, may have interbred. Mitochondrial DNA analysis of a Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) found in Utah suggests that its mitochondrial DNA was nearly identical to that of the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius).

Hybrid Mammoth DNA Found - Discovery News