Scientists have successfully recovered RNA, a form of genetic material, from the remains of the Tasmanian tiger, an extinct Australian animal. The discovery could help scientists learn more about these creatures before they disappeared from Earth.
The researchers extracted the recovered RNA from the skin and muscle of a Tasmanian tiger specimen (标本) stored in a Swedish museum since 1891. This is the first time RNA has been successfully recovered from an extinct animal. The Tasmanian tiger was once a top predator, known for hunting kangaroos and other animals. The last known Tasmanian tiger is believed to have died in a Tasmanian zoo in 1936. Emilio Mármol Sánchez, from the Centre for Palaeogenetics, led the study describing these research results. Sánchez believes that the recovered RNA material provides a glimpse into the true biology of the Tasmanian tiger, offering insights into the cells and tissues of these extinct creatures.
While Scientists have in recent years taken RNA from different ancient animals and plants, how long RNA could survive at room temperature has been a subject of debate among researchers. The well-preserved condition of the Tasmanian tiger remains, which were in a state of semi-mummification (半木乃伊化), suggests that RNA can survive for longer periods under certain conditions.
The Tasmanian tiger looked similar to a wolf, except for the tiger-like lines appearing on its back. When people arrived in Australia about 50, 000 years ago, large animal population losses followed. The arrival of European colonizers in the 18th century destroyed the remaining populations around the island of Tasmania.
Private "de-extinction" programs have been launched with the aim of bringing back some extinct animals. These include the Tasmanian tiger, flightless dodo bird and wooly mammoth.
However, many researchers have warned about the difficulties of using genetic processes to actually recreate an extinct species. While Sánchez said he too has concerns about such processes, he noted that he does "advocate for more research on the biology of these extinct animals. "
