Scientists have deciphered the genome of the giant ancestor of the armadillo – BBC

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The mitochondrial genome glyptodonts – representative of the family of armadillos detachment mammals – decoded by scientists at McMaster University, allowed the researchers to determine the evolutionary relationships of this ancient mammal with his descendants. More research results can be found in the journal Current Biology

«The findings shed light on the ties of kinship that surprising, but the mysterious creature,” -. Commented Professor Hendrik Poinar, an evolutionary expert genetics.

Scientists compare the size and weight of the ancient animal with the size and weight of the car Volkswagen Beetle. The researchers argue that glyptodonts had a heavy, massive armor and armored tail, what looked like a modern armadillo. However, the question that was glyptodonts giant armadillo, or is unknown to science “branch type” still remains open.

The study of fossils and the reconstruction of the genome has not helped the scientists to determine the location glyptodonts in the taxonomy of related species. But they showed that glyptodonts evolved in warm climates, and then migrated to the north, which became extinct during the Ice Age

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