3 ms·

Full article: Evidence of artefacts made of giant sloth bones in central Brazil around the last glacial maximum - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.

by Qem 2y ago

Full article: Evidence of artefacts made of giant sloth bones in central Brazil around the last glacial maximum - https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspb.2023.0316 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspb.2023... I hope at least a few of those paleoindian megafauna bone artifacts were brought high into the Andes, were low temperatures could preserve DNA, so they may help future de-extinction efforts upon discovery. I did a cursory search about the status of giant sloth genome sequencing, but unfortunately it appears the only information recovered was on mitochondrial DNA[1], despite some sites on Patagonia containing even well preserved samples of hide[2]. [1]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096098221930613X https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096098221... [2]. https://www.reddit.com/r/Naturewasmetal/comments/h0mekl/preserved_hides_of_darwins_ground_sloth_mylodon/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Naturewasmetal/comments/h0mekl/pres...

bpodgursky 2y ago
I wonder how close you could get by just making three-fingered sloths really big.
ramraj07 2y ago
I fail to understand the fascination with de extinction. Like what, you want giant sloth pets in Texas? We seem to have trouble keeping the species we have today from going extinct.
- throwup238 2y ago
  > Like what, you want giant sloth pets in Texas? Is that so much to ask for? It’s not like it’s going to run loose in San Diego eating people.
  - MrDrMcCoy 2y ago
    A giant sloth escaping would be roughly equivalent to a moose or elephant escaping. They are very large and could be quite destructive before capture or killing.
- Qem 2y ago
  I'm totally for keeping the species we have today from going extinct. But the world has a lot of people and they can do a lot of things at the same time. If in addition to stopping damaging ecosystems, we are able to repair some of the damage we've already done, that would be great.

by Qem 2y ago

bpodgursky 2y ago

I wonder how close you could get by just making three-fingered sloths really big.

ramraj07 2y ago

I fail to understand the fascination with de extinction. Like what, you want giant sloth pets in Texas? We seem to have trouble keeping the species we have today from going extinct.

throwup238 2y ago
> Like what, you want giant sloth pets in Texas? Is that so much to ask for? It’s not like it’s going to run loose in San Diego eating people.
- MrDrMcCoy 2y ago
  A giant sloth escaping would be roughly equivalent to a moose or elephant escaping. They are very large and could be quite destructive before capture or killing.
Qem 2y ago
I'm totally for keeping the species we have today from going extinct. But the world has a lot of people and they can do a lot of things at the same time. If in addition to stopping damaging ecosystems, we are able to repair some of the damage we've already done, that would be great.