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Checking Mammoth DNA Against Elephants Hints At How They Got Hairy

An anonymous reader writes: A new study on mammoth DNA comparing the hairy animals to their cousins, the Asian and African elephants, has isolated what genes separate it from its warm-weather cousins. The study found that genes controlling skin and hair development, fat metabolism, insulin signaling, and skull shape, differed from today's contemporary elephant species. "They have this weird hump on their back, which is thought to be something like a camel hump — sort of a fat deposit that stored water and energy for the cold, dark winters," says Vincent Lynch, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago.

7 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Well.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you have an Ass like that, you would stop waxing too.... Just ask the Kardashians...

    1. Re:Well.... by Bugamn · · Score: 2

      Just turn left at Naboo.

  2. Closest Relitaves by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    With the rock hyrax(a guinea pig sized communal animal) and the sea cows being the closest relatives there is obviously much flexibility in the genetic makeup of an elephant
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

  3. How to revive the Mammoth species by currently_awake · · Score: 2

    To revive a dead species, that you don't have complete DNA for: Start with the closest living relative. Change the major parts, that you know of. See how the results look. Keep adding bits and pieces as you can, getting closer to the lost species. Set up a wildlife park where people can come and see them.

    1. Re:How to revive the Mammoth species by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I just watched a documentary on such a park in IMAX 3D last Friday. It was quite informative but lacked a dance off.

      4/5 stars

  4. Based on my research by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Having Googled "hairy mammoth" and visited a few search results, I've concluded I never want to Google "hairy mammoth" ever again.

  5. Re:elephants are still pretty hairy by Teun · · Score: 2

    We still have a picture of that event, as to be expected from that era it's in black & white:
    http://www.independent.co.uk/i...

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