DNA reveals polar bear's ancestry

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.rog.cn, April 20, 2012
Adjust font size:

Polar bears. [File photo]

Polar bears. [File photo]

A new genetic study showed that polar bears have evolved as a separate species far earlier than previously thought, Reuters reported.

Research published on Thursday found the Arctic's top predators split off from brown bears, their closest relatives, around 600,000 years ago - five times earlier than scientists generally assumed.

The findings suggest that polar bears took a long time to adapt to their icy world and may therefore struggle to adjust as the Arctic is now warming up and sea ice is melting, which deprives them of their vital hunting platforms.

Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter