A recent study published in PNAS reveals that researchers have successfully retrieved ancient DNA from Caribbean parrots. By comparing this DNA with sequences from contemporary birds and examining fossils and archaeological samples, the team determined that two species, previously believed to be nat
[Many thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this item to our attention.] Jerald Pinson (Florida Museum of Natural History) writes about a study centering on changes in parrot diversity after human arrival to the Caribbean, mainly focusing on two species the Cuban (A. leucocephala) and Hispaniolan (A. ventralis) parrots. Here are excerpts: In a…
While many associate cattle with iconic American imagery such as cowboys, cattle drives, and vast ranches, these animals were not native to the American continents. It was the Spanish who introduced cattle to America, transporting them from Europe via the Canary Islands. Recent research examining