Prehistoric polar bear descendent may be at large in the Himalayas
LONDON: The descendent of a prehistoric polar bear may be at large in the Indian Himalayas especially in Ladakh.
In a genetic survey that involved mitochondrial sequencing to identify the origin of 30 hair samples attributed to anomalous primates including the Yeti British scientists found that two of the samples, one from Ladakh and the other from Bhutan had the closest genetic affinity with a Palaeolithic polar bear called Ursus maritimus.
The scientists said that although one of the hair sample is reddish brown and the other golden brown, they were a precise DNA match with fossil remains of the polar bear that lived 40,000 years ago.
Professor of human genetics at Oxford University who is an expert on ancient DNA launched a project writing to museums and collectors all over the world to hand over samples believed to be that of the Yeti.
The study said, "It seems more likely that the two hairs reported here are from either a previously unrecognized bear species belonging to Barayanov and Chicagov islands off the coast of Alaska. If they are hybrids, the Ladakh and Bhutan specimens are probably descended from a different hybridization event during the early stages of species divergence between U. arctos and U. maritimus. If these bears are widely distributed in the Himalayas, they may well contribute to the biological foundation of the Yeti legend especially if as reported by the hunter who shot the Ladakh specimen they behave more aggressively towards humans than known indigenous bear species."
Around 57 samples were received and subjected to macroscopic, microscopic and infrared fluorescence examination. Of the screened samples, 37 were selected for genetic analysis based on their provenance or historic interest.
These samples were made to undergo rigorous decontamination followed by RNA testing.
In a genetic survey that involved mitochondrial sequencing to identify the origin of 30 hair samples attributed to anomalous primates including the Yeti British scientists found that two of the samples, one from Ladakh and the other from Bhutan had the closest genetic affinity with a Palaeolithic polar bear called Ursus maritimus.
The scientists said that although one of the hair sample is reddish brown and the other golden brown, they were a precise DNA match with fossil remains of the polar bear that lived 40,000 years ago.
Professor of human genetics at Oxford University who is an expert on ancient DNA launched a project writing to museums and collectors all over the world to hand over samples believed to be that of the Yeti.
The study said, "It seems more likely that the two hairs reported here are from either a previously unrecognized bear species belonging to Barayanov and Chicagov islands off the coast of Alaska. If they are hybrids, the Ladakh and Bhutan specimens are probably descended from a different hybridization event during the early stages of species divergence between U. arctos and U. maritimus. If these bears are widely distributed in the Himalayas, they may well contribute to the biological foundation of the Yeti legend especially if as reported by the hunter who shot the Ladakh specimen they behave more aggressively towards humans than known indigenous bear species."
Around 57 samples were received and subjected to macroscopic, microscopic and infrared fluorescence examination. Of the screened samples, 37 were selected for genetic analysis based on their provenance or historic interest.
These samples were made to undergo rigorous decontamination followed by RNA testing.
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