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California scientists discover mouse-like mammal related to elephants
Reuters ^ | June 26, 2014 | Laura Zuckerman

Posted on 06/27/2014 5:36:33 PM PDT by blueplum

(Reuters) - A new mammal discovered in the remote desert of western Africa resembles a long-nosed mouse in appearance but is more closely related genetically to elephants, a California scientist who helped identify the tiny creature said on Thursday.

The new species of elephant shrew, given the scientific name Macroscelides micus, inhabits an ancient volcanic formation in Namibia and sports red fur that helps it blend in with the color of its rocky surroundings, said John Dumbacher, one of a team of biologists behind the discovery.

Genetic testing of the creature – which weighs up to an ounce (28 grams) and measures 7.5 inches (19 cm) in length, including its tail – revealed its DNA to be more akin to much larger mammals.

"It turns out this thing that looks and acts like shrews that evolved in Africa is more closely related to elephants,"

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: elephants; elephantshrew; evolution; junkscience; namibia; sengi; shrew; taxonomy
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what a curious animal! non-burrowing, active newborns, and related to elephants?
1 posted on 06/27/2014 5:36:33 PM PDT by blueplum
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To: blueplum

It’s cute!


2 posted on 06/27/2014 5:38:43 PM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: blueplum

3 posted on 06/27/2014 5:38:48 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

Not the same thing, no backbone.


4 posted on 06/27/2014 5:40:06 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: blueplum
The Hyrax is most closely related to Elephants.

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5 posted on 06/27/2014 5:41:28 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin.)
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To: blueplum

and?


6 posted on 06/27/2014 5:41:29 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: tet68

ROFLMAO!!! Good one.


7 posted on 06/27/2014 5:43:48 PM PDT by doc1019
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To: blueplum

Where are the tusks? Does it eat peanuts too?


8 posted on 06/27/2014 5:45:05 PM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: blueplum

A gene here, a gene there...


9 posted on 06/27/2014 5:45:54 PM PDT by MUDDOG
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To: blueplum

Most likely no relation to elephants.

Remember the time when taxonomists thought that the giant panda was a giant raccoon rather than a bear?


10 posted on 06/27/2014 5:46:39 PM PDT by Olog-hai
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To: blueplum

If you put him in the zoo in Wash DC, he lets everyone punch him in the shoulder.

Later he begs to go to lunch with those same people.

He swells with pride if photographed with them.


11 posted on 06/27/2014 5:48:18 PM PDT by gaijin
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To: Olog-hai

Did they find it near Disneyland or Disney Studios?


12 posted on 06/27/2014 5:48:47 PM PDT by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: blueplum

God created elephants so that rinos can take over.


13 posted on 06/27/2014 5:54:37 PM PDT by sagar
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To: blueplum
given the scientific name Macroscelides micus

Why do scientist have to come with such stupid sounding names?

14 posted on 06/27/2014 5:54:59 PM PDT by umgud (I couldn't understand why the ball kept getting bigger......... then it hit me.)
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To: smokingfrog

and.. I’m interested in how Darwinists incorporate this cute as a bug little critter into the elephant evolutionary tree. It’s one thing to leap from gorillas to human, but which came first - the elephant, or the mouse with elephant DNA that acts like an antelope?

and if the elephant (or mouse) DNA branched into so many variations, why didn’t gorilla DNA? (I know the Christian answer but I’m always interested in the evolutionist perspective)


15 posted on 06/27/2014 5:55:51 PM PDT by blueplum
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To: blueplum

African Scientists Develop Shrink Ray!


16 posted on 06/27/2014 5:59:50 PM PDT by Darteaus94025 (Can't have a Liberal without a Lie)
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To: blueplum

Evo answer would be: LUCK


17 posted on 06/27/2014 6:07:45 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Embrace the Lion of Judah and He will roar for you and teach you to roar too. See my page.)
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To: BenLurkin

What was he doing in California???


18 posted on 06/27/2014 6:10:39 PM PDT by Uncle Chip
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To: Olog-hai

Thanks for prompting me to look that up! I’d forgotten about that.


19 posted on 06/27/2014 6:12:37 PM PDT by blueplum
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To: blueplum

Yes. DNA sequencing did kind of mess up that whole ‘tree of life’ thing a bit, didn’t it?


20 posted on 06/27/2014 6:13:40 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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