Posted on 08/09/2020 1:57:55 PM PDT by BenLurkin
According to new sequencing of the tuatara's entire genome - one of the largest on record and 50 percent larger than the human genome - it appears this strange creature is neither lizard, bird, nor mammal. Rather, it's some strange amalgamation of all three.
According to the authors of the new study, the animal's genomic architecture is unlike anything previously reported.
Found solely in New Zealand, the tuatara - which does greatly resemble a lizard to the untrained eye - is considered a taonga, or 'special treasure' for the local Māori.
These nocturnal creatures can live for a century, withstand super cold temperatures, hold their breath for as long as an hour, and see light out of a third 'parietal eye' on their heads.
Today, the species' closest relatives are snakes and lizards, but to call them relatives is a bit like calling a kangaroo a relative of humans. Their common ancestor actually goes back some 250 million years.
Throughout that huge amount of time, tuatara have remained the sole members of the archaic reptilian order known as Rhynchocephalia.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencealert.com ...
...Cajun Recipe...
______________________
Once it’s in the gumbo, it’s all the same.
I havent had gumbo. I gotta try some sometime.
Now that is a remarkable little fellow.
This dna analysis indicates that phenotypic similarities in organisms do not necessarily match the dna similarities. It could mean that similar looking creatures may not be “related” at all. Stick that in your cladistic tree, Charlie.
It could mean that similar looking fossils may not be related. No?
LOL! Thanks BenLurkin. :)
“I wish I were in Tijuana eating Barbecued Iguana...”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyCEexG9xjw
Justin E. Wilson had a recipebet on it!
Sounds like the genome sequencing of Cher, Rosie O’Donnell, the late, not missed Helen Thomas, Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters.
Could they be related?
Has anyone interviewed them on how they view themselves?
They are the original visitors to the planet and are merely biding time until it time to take over. We are serving as a food resource which accounts for mysterious disappearances all over the world aided of course by humanoid robots which are all around us ..oooooooeeeeeeeeooooo. Welcome to the twilight zone
Probably some extraterrestrials long, long ago were on a camping trip and lost their "dog".
Is it even possible? Yes, it is.
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