Publications by authors named "Achim M Klittich"

The sun bear is one of the most endangered ursids, and to date classification of sun bear populations has been based almost exclusively on geographic distribution and morphology. The very few molecular studies focussing on this species were limited in geographic scope. Using archival and non-invasively collected sample material, we have added a substantial number of complete or near-complete mitochondrial genome sequences from sun bears of several range countries of the species' distribution.

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Article Synopsis
  • The blue antelope is the only large African mammal known to have gone extinct in recent history, with no complete genomic data previously available due to misidentifications of museum specimens.
  • Researchers successfully obtained two draft genomes: one from a historical specimen about 200 years old and another from a fossil dating back around 9,800 years, which is currently the oldest paleogenome known from Africa.
  • Genetic analyses reveal that blue and sable antelope are closely related, with evidence of past gene flow, while indicating low genetic diversity in blue antelope, which, along with fossil findings, points to significant population decline before the species' extinction, likely exacerbated by human impact during the colonial era.
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