found it!Take a look at the modern tiger's "distant relatives"

The reporter recently learned from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) that the school's team of Professor Lai Xulong and researchers at home and abroad have discovered the ancient DNA research and discovered the unknown and extinct tiger genetic branch. Relevant results have recently been published in the International Authoritative Biological Biological Journal "Royal Society B".

Earlier, the archeological team of Jilin University discovered a large number of paleomantic fossils in a cave in Da'an Town, Jilin, and provided some of the spots of mackerel dog fossils to the ancient DNA research team of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Through the analysis and identification of the residual DNA in the fossils, the researchers accidentally found that one of the broken mandibular bones was not a baul, but a tiger (hereinafter referred to as the "Daan Tiger"), which has been more than 43,500 years ago.

Tiger Huahua discovered in the cave of Da'an Town, Jilin. (Photo confession in the respondent)

In terms of biology classification, the evolutionary history and survival status of tigers have received widespread attention. Studies have believed that the current geographical subclocking of the tiger is different from a ancestral population about 110,000 years ago.

In order to explore the relationship between the "Daan Tiger" and the geographical sub -species of the current tiger, the researchers have increased the ancient DNA extraction of the "Daan Tiger" mandibular fossil and the construction of the second -generation sequencing library. The assembly obtained the "Daanhu" close to the complete mitochondrial genome and part of the nuclear genome information.

Based on the comparison analysis of the genetic components of all existing tigers and the construction of system development, it is found that "Da An Tiger" is different from any existing tiger, which belongs to the unknown and existing genetic branch. The ancestors of the tiger had "separated" about 260,000 years ago.

The research on the current tiger can only reveal the evolutionary history of their direct ancestors. The measurement and analysis of the "Daan Tiger" genome shows that in the evolution of the tiger, some genetic branches are lost. All modern tigers are only one of the descendants of one of them.

Tiger hand drawing. (Photo confession in the respondent)

Researchers explained that the current Tiger and South China Tiger and other tigers are like cousins. "Da An Tiger" and modern tigers are the relationship between relatives of distant housing. Before obtaining the ancient DNA data, the genetic information of the disappeared tiger branch has been sealed in the broken, easy -to -read fossils. The ancient DNA study enabled the extinct tiger branch to "see the sun", which provided a basis for the systematic exploring the evolutionary history of the tiger.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Reporter: Li Wei

Poster design: Jia Xianquan

Responsible editor: Zhang Ziqing

School pair: Guo Yanhui Meng Yahe (intern)

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