Member LoginMember Login - User registration - Setup as front page - Add to favorites - Sitemap An extinct, deeply divergent tiger lineage identified in northeastern China: study !

An extinct, deeply divergent tiger lineage identified in northeastern China: study

Time:2024-05-21 14:28:16 source:Stellar Station news portal

   

  Photo taken with a monitoring camera shows a wild Siberian tiger in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park in northeast China, April 14, 2021. (Xinhua) 

  BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese paleontologists identified an extinct and deeply divergent tiger lineage from a fossil found in northeastern China, revealing a more complex evolutionary picture of the big cats.

  The researchers from Wuhan-based China University of Geosciences found that the ancient lineage diverged from modern tigers approximately 268,000 years ago. More than twice the known age of modern tigers' maternal ancestor, living around 125,000 years ago.

  A tiger mandible was collected from Da'an karst cave in northeastern China's Jilin Province. Hyena fossils were also found in the cave. Da'an karst cave lies in the historical distribution range of tigers and the current habitat of Amur tigers.

  The analysis on its residual DNA showed that the jawbone belonged, not to hyenas, but an individual tiger of unknown lineage. It dates back to more than 43,500 years ago, according to the study published recently in the Proceedings of The Royal Society B.

  The researchers managed to recover both mitochondrial and nuclear genome data of the fossil to display the ancient tiger's maternal and patrilineal history.

  The researchers said that fossils of cave lions were also recorded in nearby regions although it's still not clear whether they ever coexisted with the newly-identified predator, a distant cousin of modern tigers.

  But the geographical overlap between two top predators, which prefer highly distinct habitats, still seems unlikely, according to the study.

  The study brings a new insight into tigers' evolutionary history prior to their recent radiation and highlights the genetic antiquity of fossil tigers in China, said the researchers.  ■ 

Related information
  • Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed
  • CBA playoffs: Shanghai beat Zhejiang to even series
  • Inter secure Serie A title in heated win over Milan
  • China's Ma, Sun crowned at ITTF World Cup
  • Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
  • Auto industry insiders highlight interdependence between China, Europe
  • Barca may request Real replay if VAR error found
  • China embraces AI boom, diverse application scenarios
Recommended content
  • Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
  • China rejects US, Japan, Philippines concern on South China Sea
  • Israel says building of Gaza aid pier begins
  • China's top legislator holds talks with Kazakhstan official
  • Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
  • Senior CPC official meets Australian, Malaysian officials