Extinct relative helps to reclassify the world's remaining two species of monk seal
Wednesday, May 14, 2014 - 18:32
in Biology & Nature
The recently extinct Caribbean monk seal was one of three species of monk seal in the world. Its relationship to the Mediterranean and Hawaiian monk seals, both living but endangered, has never been fully understood. Through DNA analysis and skull comparisons scientists have now clarified the Caribbean species' place on the seal family tree and created a completely new genus.