"Our data set is 100 times more extensive than any other published data set for an extinct species, demonstrating that ancient DNA studies can be brought up to the same level as modern genome projects," says Schuster.
The new latest Campanian records also comprise lineages of more modern appearance, demonstrating a pre-Cenozoic transition from extinct, stem groups to extant, crown groups.
Collen et al. found that the IUCN lists a further 28 species in the MSW3 taxonomy as extinct, as well as reclassifying 31 as subspecies, and demonstrating that 74 are synonyms for other species already on the supertree.
Demonstrating beyond reasonable doubt that any single species is extinct is arduous and painstaking (think how long it took to show – to most people, at least – that Loch Ness probably does not harbour a large monster).
Mass spectroscopy reveals the protein sequence of collagen preserved in a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, demonstrating that biochemical data can be obtained from long-extinct species.
BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1 The Evolution of Complexity By reconstructing ancient genes from extinct animals, scientists have demonstrated the evolutionary progression that created a new piece of molecular machinery by reusing existing parts.
The current renaissance of the supposedly extinct vinyl LP has demonstrated that markets and tastes change, and that ancient audio formats can be resurrected and have vital second lives.
Scholars had to make sense of the increasing number of fossil finds demonstrating that species had undergone morphological change through time, or had even gone extinct.
This new fossil provides a unique insight into the anatomy and life cycle of a long-extinct insect; it also demonstrates that brood care in insects is an ancient trait that dates back to at least around 100 million years ago at the height of the age of the dinosaurs.
These are the same bones seen in fossils of the extinct transitional animal, Eusthenopteron, which demonstrates their common ancestry.
