A study by researchers at Yale University found that dozens of giant turtles, belonging to a species that was believed extinct for 150 years, may still be living in a remote place in the Galapagos Islands.
Although it has not found any original member of the species Chelonoidis elephantopus, the team found direct descendants of these individuals at least 38 animals living in the volcanic slopes of the northern coast of Isabela Island. This island is 320 kilometers from Floreana Island, where the turtles lived before disappearing because of hunting.
In 2008, the research team drew blood samples from more than 1,600 turtles in the region, and compared them to a database containing the genetic DNA of extinct and living turtles. The analysis proved that 83 of these turtles had the genetic signature of Chelonoidis elephantopus, showing that a parent was a member pure breed. In 30 of these cases, the turtle was less than 15 years. Like a turtle these usually live more than 100 years, scientists have concluded that large possibility that the original specimens are still alive.
The researchers said their intention is to find the original members of the species, to return them to their island of origin. This is important, since the animals would have great importance in the ecosystem of the region. Even though there are animals, scientists believe they can bring the species back to life from the crossing of their descendants.
Turtles Chelonoidis elephantopus be made famous for having helped Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution. In his historic trip to the Galapagos Islands in 1835, Darwin realized that the shells of turtles living in different islands of the archipelago had different formats, which led him to develop the theory of natural selection. For example, the hulls of Chelonoidis elephantopus Floreana Island had a saddle shape, while tortoises from other islands in the hulls had clamshell.
Source Galileu
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