Joint research group with participants form USA and Russia attempted to decipher mammoth’s genome. Scientists used DNA samples, extracted from mammoth’s hair, found in permafrost. Results are published in the Nature magazine
      
      Researchers deciphered 80% of genome of Mammuthus primigenius. For the analysis they used hair samples from two mammoth bodies, found in permafrost. Results showed that genetic difference between mammoths and modern African elephants (Loxodonta africana) was twice as less than between human beings and chimpanzees.
      
      Mammoths and elephants became separate species about 1.5-2 million years ago. Scientists managed to find some genetic difference between mammoth subspecies – this discovery offers new ways of studying those features of ancient giants, which cannot be seen in bone residues.
      
      Source: Science News