A Bournemouth University team used ancient DNA from crane bones across Europe to show a bird once thought extinct was a larger common crane rather than a separate species. Bournemouth researchers say ancient DNA has resolved a 150 year mystery about a giant European crane. Scientists at Bournemouth University led a study into bones first described in the 19th century, after fragments were found in caves in southern France and dated to the end of the last ice age. The bird had been named Grus primigenia and was widely thought to be a separate extinct species, but the new research says the bo
Bournemouth researchers say ancient DNA has resolved a 150 year mystery about a giant European crane.
Scientists at Bournemouth University led a study into bones first described in the 19th century, after fragments were found in caves in southern France and dated to the end of the last ice age.
The bird had been named Grus primigenia and was widely thought to be a separate extinct species, but the new research says the bones were larger examples of the common crane, which is found in Europe today.
Dr John Stewart, Professor of Evolutionary Palaeoecology at BU, said the team had suspected the cranes were "not extinct" and instead represented "larger, modern European common cranes", partly because males and females can differ in size.
The project, which involved the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm, used ancient DNA from 18 crane bones that were found in England, Wales, France, Germany and the Balearic Islands to identify the species.
Dr Stewart said DNA had given researchers "a more accurate picture", and the BU team now wants to test whether wetland drainage and human land use helped cranes become smaller.
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