RE: Extinct mammoth DNA decoded

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Allan Edels wrote:

> Not dinosaurian, but interesting nonetheless.

You bet.

> The 5,000 DNA letters spell out the genetic code of its mitochondria, the 
> structures in the cell that generate energy.  [snip]
> Some 46 chunks of DNA sequence were matched up and arranged in order, 
> giving a complete record of the mammoth's mitochondrial DNA - the circular 
> scrap of genetic material found outside the cell's nucleus.

Mammalian mitochondrial genomes are typically closer to 17,000 nucleotides 
long, as in most vertebrates.  5,000 is less than a third - though arguably 
just as good as the whole mitochondrial genome for determining the mammoth's 
relationships.

Cheers

Tim