DNA Analysis Reveals Origins of Seychelles' Extinct Crocodiles
DNA solves 250-year-old mystery of the Seychelles’ lost crocodiles
Science Daily
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Researchers have identified the Seychelles' extinct crocodiles as an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) that drifted across the Indian Ocean. This discovery, based on DNA analysis of historical specimens, clarifies the reptiles' evolutionary history and highlights their extensive range.
- 01The Seychelles crocodiles were not a distinct species but part of the saltwater crocodile population.
- 02They likely drifted over 3,000 kilometers across the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles.
- 03The study utilized mitochondrial DNA from museum specimens to trace their genetic lineage.
- 04Saltwater crocodiles are known for their ability to survive in seawater due to specialized salt glands.
- 05The species historically occupied a range extending over 12,000 kilometers, from Vanuatu to the Seychelles.
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For over 250 years, the disappearance of crocodiles from the Seychelles puzzled scientists and historians. Recent research has resolved this mystery through DNA analysis of historical specimens, revealing that these crocodiles were not a unique species but rather an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). This population likely drifted across the Indian Ocean, traveling at least 3,000 kilometers to reach the Seychelles. The study, conducted by researchers from Germany and the Seychelles, analyzed mitochondrial genomes from preserved specimens, confirming earlier theories based on physical characteristics. Saltwater crocodiles are particularly well adapted for ocean travel, capable of surviving in seawater due to specialized salt glands. This genetic evidence shows that these reptiles were part of a broader population that once spanned a range of over 12,000 kilometers, highlighting the species' remarkable mobility and adaptability in marine environments.
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