List of resurrected species

Last updated

This is a list of resurrected species. A previously extinct or lost species can be "revived" or recreated through various methods such as cloning, breeding, genome editing, thawing, and seed germination in plants.

Contents

Cloning

Pyrenean Ibex

The Pyrenean ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica) is an Iberian ibex subspecies with the unfortunate distinction of being the first animal to go extinct twice. Endemic to the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains, this ibex was driven to extinction by the year 2000 due to competition with livestock and introduced wild ungulates and following the death of Celia, the endling of the subspecies. Several attempts were made to clone the Pyrenean ibex, and one individual was born to a domestic goat mother in 2003. However, this newborn died within minutes due to a lung defect. [1]

Seed germination

Judean date palm

The Judean date palm is a cultivar of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) that is historically endemic to ancient Judea (modern-day Israel and Palestine). It is genetically unique, and closely related to modern Iraqi and Moroccan varieties. [2] Between 1963 and 1991, archaeologists discovered Judean date seeds in excavation sites. Through radiocarbon dating, they were determined to be between 1,900 and 2,300 years old. In 2008, researchers at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies began to germinate the seeds. [2]

As of 2023, 7 Judean date palms have successfully germinated. In 2020, researchers began to harvest dates from these trees. Experiments to revive this cultivar are ongoing. [3]

Montreal melon

The Montreal melon, also known as the Montreal market muskmelon, Montreal nutmeg melon, and melon de Montréal (Melon of/from Montreal) in French is a commercial cultivar of melon native to Canada. Traditionally grown around the Montreal area, hence its namesake. The fruit was known for being the largest melon in North America during its initial cultivation. [4] It disappeared entirely from family farms and cultivation in the region by the 1920s due to industrialisation in Canada and being ill-suited for agribusiness. In 1997, seeds of the melon were discovered in a seed bank in the American state of Iowa. Since then, the Montreal melon has been reintroduced to its former range by local gardeners. [5]

Unknown Commiphora

In September 2024, a specimen of a never-before-seen Commiphora by the name of Sheba reached maturity. In the 1980s, Sheba was found in excavations of a cave in the Judean desert as seed but was not germinated until recent times. Sheba is estimated to be over 1000 years old through radiocarbon dating, and researchers suspect that Sheba may be the tsori or Judean balsam, two plants stated to have healing properties in the Bible. [6] [7]

Thawing

Breeding

Rastreador Brasilerio

The Rastreador Brasilerio (Brazilian Tracker) is a dog breed that was bred in the 1950s to aid in hunting jaguars and wild pigs in Brazil. In the early 2000s, a group named Grupo de Apoio ao Resgate do Rastreador Brasileiro (Brazilian Tracker Rescue Support Group) dedicated to reviving the breed and having it relisted by Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia located dogs in Brazil that had genetics of the extinct breed to recreate a purebred. [10] In 2013, the breed was de-extinct through successful preservation breeding from descendants of the final original members and was relisted by the FCI. [11]

Floreana giant tortoise

The Floreana giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger niger) is a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise endemic to Floreana Island, Ecuador. In 2012, Floreana and Volcán Wolf tortoise hybrids were discovered on Isabela Island. Allegedly, these tortoises were imported or abandoned on the island in the early 19th century prior to the initial extinction of the subspecies in 1850, allowing them to hybridise with the native subspecies. [12] In 2017, a breeding programme was established to revive the subspecies through back breeding the hybrids to regain their genetic purity. [13] As of 2025, 400 Floreana giant tortoises have been hatched on Santa Cruz Island with plans to release them into the wild on Floreana Island following the successful removal of invasive species. [14] [15] However, the IUCN has yet to update the status of the subspecies from extinct to extinct in the wild or critically endangered due to lack of a genetically pure specimen and the de-extinct subspecies has yet to reproduce naturally in the wild. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinta Island tortoise</span> Subspecies of Galápagos tortoise

The Pinta Island tortoise, also known as the Pinta giant tortoise, Abingdon Island tortoise, or Abingdon Island giant tortoise, is a recently extinct subspecies of Galápagos tortoise native to Ecuador's Pinta Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galápagos tortoise</span> Species of reptile

The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise is a very large species of tortoise in the genus Chelonoidis. The species comprises 15 subspecies. It is the largest living species of tortoise, and can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). They are also the largest extant terrestrial cold-blooded animals (ectotherms).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endling</span> Last known individual of a species or subspecies

An endling is the last known individual of a species or subspecies. Once the endling dies, the species becomes extinct. The word was coined in correspondence in the scientific journal Nature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonesome George</span> Last known male Pinta Island tortoise

Lonesome George was a male Pinta Island tortoise and the last known individual of the subspecies. In his last years, he was known as the rarest creature in the world. George serves as an important symbol for conservation efforts in the Galápagos Islands and throughout the world.

<i>Chelonoidis</i> Genus of tortoises

Chelonoidis is a genus of turtles in the tortoise family erected by Leopold Fitzinger in 1835. They are found in South America and the Galápagos Islands, and formerly had a wide distribution in the West Indies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">De-extinction</span> Process of re-creating an extinct species

De-extinction is the process of generating an organism that either resembles or is an extinct species. There are several ways to carry out the process of de-extinction. Cloning is the most widely proposed method, although genome editing and selective breeding have also been considered. Similar techniques have been applied to certain endangered species, in hopes to boost their genetic diversity. The only method of the three that would provide an animal with the same genetic identity is cloning. There are benefits and drawbacks to the process of de-extinction ranging from technological advancements to ethical issues.

<i>Aldabrachelys gigantea arnoldi</i> Subspecies of tortoise

Arnold's giant tortoise, also known as the Seychelles saddle-backed giant tortoise, is a tortoise subspecies in the genus Aldabrachelys.

<i>Chelonoidis niger donfaustoi</i> Subspecies of turtle

Chelonoidis niger donfaustoi, known as the eastern Santa Cruz tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise living on Santa Cruz Island, within the Galápagos. Until 2015, C. n. donfaustoi was considered conspecific with the western Santa Cruz tortoise, C. n. porteri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volcán Wolf giant tortoise</span> Subspecies of tortoise

The Volcán Wolf giant tortoise, also known commonly as the Wolf Volcano giant tortoise and the Cape Berkeley giant tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The subspecies is native to the north side of Ecuador's Isabela Island. Chelonoidis becki has links to two different lineages including that of Chelonoidis darwini from the nearby island of Santiago. C. becki has been found to be the product of a double colonization event beginning around 199,000 years ago, and had been formed through introgression, where greater male selectivity was exhibited by purebred females in one of the lineages. It is most commonly found on the northern, western, and southwestern slopes of Volcán Wolf, the volcano that it is named for. Having evolved to live in a specific environment, C. becki only occupies an estimated range of about 263 square kilometers. An estimated 1,150 Volcán Wolf giant tortoises inhabit Volcán Wolf.

Chelonoidis niger phantasticus is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise that was discovered in 1906 and thought extinct, until a single female was discovered living on Fernandina Island by an expedition in February 2019. In May 2021, a genetic test carried out by scientists from the California Academy of Sciences confirmed that the single female tortoise discovered in 2019 is from the subspecies Chelonoidis niger phantasticus. The subspecies name has often been misspelled as phantastica, an error introduced in the 1980s when Chelonoidis was elevated to genus and mistakenly treated as feminine, an error recognized and fixed in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asilo de la Paz</span>

Asilo de la Paz is a location on Floreana Island in the Galapagos archipelago. It is the site of Floreana's first human settlement, and is now among the island's most popular tourist attractions. The site has a maximum elevation of 450 meters above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Santa Cruz tortoise</span> Subspecies of turtle

The western Santa Cruz tortoise is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos. They are found only on the southwestern slopes of the island, with an estimated range of 141 sq. kilometers. There are approximately 3400 individuals in the wild, and have seen rising numbers in population, despite being critically endangered. MtDNA evidence shows that there are actually three genetically distinct populations on Santa Cruz Island. They are characterised by a black, oval carapace that is domed, higher in the centre than in the front, and broad anteriorly. Their life expectancy is 175 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hood Island giant tortoise</span> Subspecies of turtle

The Hood Island giant tortoise is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to Española Island in the Galápagos.

Chelonoidis niger vicina, commonly known as the Cerro Azul giant tortoise, Iguana Cove tortoise or the Isabela Island giant tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to Isabela Island in the Galápagos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santiago Island giant tortoise</span> Species of turtle

The Santiago Island giant tortoise, also known commonly as the Santiago giant tortoise and the James Island tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The subspecies is endemic to Santiago Island in the Galápagos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinzón Island giant tortoise</span> Subspecies of turtle

Chelonoidis niger duncanensis, commonly known as the Pinzón Island giant tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to Pinzón Island in the Galápagos.

<i>Chelonoidis niger chathamensis</i> Subspecies of turtle

Chelonoidis niger chathamensis, commonly known as the Chatham Island giant tortoise or the San Cristóbal giant tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floreana giant tortoise</span> Species of giant tortoise

The Floreana giant tortoise, also known as the Charles Island giant tortoise, is a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise endemic to the Galápagos archipelago in the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean. The specific epithet niger (‘black’) probably refers to the colouration of the holotype specimen. The species name has often been misspelled as nigra, an error introduced in the 1980s when Chelonoidis was elevated to genus and mistakenly treated as feminine, an error recognized and fixed in 2017.

<i>Chelonoidis niger vandenburghi</i> Subspecies of giant tortoise

Chelonoidis niger vandenburghi, also known as the Volcán Alcedo giant tortoise, the Alcedo Volcano giant tortoise or the Alcedo giant tortoise, is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to the Galápagos archipelago in the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean. The specific epithet vandenburghi honours American herpetologist John Van Denburgh.

References

  1. ↑ Folch, J.; Cocero, M. J.; Chesné, P.; Alabart, J. L.; Domínguez, V.; Cognié, Y.; Roche, A.; Fernández-Árias, A.; Martí, J. I.; Sánchez, P.; Echegoyen, E.; Beckers, J. F.; Bonastre, A. Sánchez; Vignon, X. (2009-04-01). "First birth of an animal from an extinct subspecies (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica) by cloning". Theriogenology. 71 (6): 1026–1034. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.11.005 . ISSN   0093-691X. PMID   19167744.
  2. 1 2 Sallon S, Cherif E, Chabrillange N, Solowey E, Gros-Balthazard M, Ivorra S, Terral JF, Egli M, Aberlenc F. Origins and insights into the historic Judean date palm based on genetic analysis of germinated ancient seeds and morphometric stuhe holy land. Econ. Bot. 21, 320–340 (1967)
  3. ↑ "Six new ancient date trees". Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  4. ↑ New York State Agricultural Experiment Station.; Station, New York State Agricultural Experiment; Hedrick, U. P.; Tapley, William Thorpe (1928). The vegetables of New York. Vol. v.1-4. Albany: J. B. Lyon company.
  5. ↑ "Montreal melon, once thought to be all but gone, makes long-awaited comeback | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  6. ↑ Sallon, Sarah; Solowey, Elaine; Gostel, Morgan R.; Egli, Markus; Flematti, Gavin R.; Bohman, Björn; Schaeffer, Philippe; Adam, Pierre; Weeks, Andrea (2024-09-10). "Characterization and analysis of a Commiphora species germinated from an ancient seed suggests a possible connection to a species mentioned in the Bible". Communications Biology. 7 (1): 1109. doi:10.1038/s42003-024-06721-5. ISSN   2399-3642. PMC   11387840 . PMID   39256474.
  7. ↑ Hunt, Katie (2024-10-03). "Lost biblical tree resurrected from 1,000 year-old seed". CNN. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  8. ↑ Yong, Ed (3 March 2014). "Giant virus resurrected from 30,000-year-old ice". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2014.14801. S2CID   87146458.
  9. ↑ Shatilovich, Anastasia; Gade, Vamshidhar R.; Pippel, Martin; Hoffmeyer, Tarja T.; Tchesunov, Alexei V.; Stevens, Lewis; Winkler, Sylke; Hughes, Graham M.; Traikov, Sofia; Hiller, Michael; Rivkina, Elizaveta; Schiffer, Philipp H.; Myers, Eugene W.; Kurzchalia, Teymuras V. (2023-07-27). "A novel nematode species from the Siberian permafrost shares adaptive mechanisms for cryptobiotic survival with C. elegans dauer larva". PLOS Genetics. 19 (7): e1010798. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010798 . ISSN   1553-7404. PMC   10374039 . PMID   37498820.
  10. ↑ "Materia Revista Mania de Bicho" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2011-07-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  11. ↑ "RASTREADOR BRASILEIRO". www.fci.be. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  12. ↑ Garrick, Ryan C.; Benavides, Edgar; Russello, Michael A.; Gibbs, James P.; Poulakakis, Nikos; Dion, Kirstin B.; Hyseni, Chaz; Kajdacsi, Brittney; Márquez, Lady; Bahan, Sarah; Ciofi, Claudio; Tapia, Washington; Caccone, Adalgisa (2012-01-10). "Genetic rediscovery of an 'extinct' Galápagos giant tortoise species". Current Biology. 22 (1): R10 –R11. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.004. ISSN   0960-9822. PMID   22240469.
  13. ↑ Miller, Joshua M.; Quinzin, Maud C.; Poulakakis, Nikos; Gibbs, James P.; Beheregaray, Luciano B.; Garrick, Ryan C.; Russello, Michael A.; Ciofi, Claudio; Edwards, Danielle L.; Hunter, Elizabeth A.; Tapia, Washington; Rueda, Danny; Carrión, Jorge; Valdivieso, Andrés A.; Caccone, Adalgisa (2017-09-13). "Identification of Genetically Important Individuals of the Rediscovered Floreana Galápagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis elephantopus) Provides Founders for Species Restoration Program". Scientific Reports. 7 (1): 11471. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-11516-2. hdl: 2158/1116383 . ISSN   2045-2322.
  14. ↑ "12 missing species set to return to Floreana, Galápagos". Island Conservation. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  15. ↑ Nicholls, Henry (2024-04-12). "The return of the Floreana giant tortoise". Galapagos Conservation Trust. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  16. ↑ (N/A), Peter Paul van Dijk; Foundation), Anders Rhodin (Chelonian Research; Conservancy), Linda Cayot (Galapagos; University), Adalgisa Caccone (Yale (2017-01-25). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Chelonoidis niger". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Archived from the original on 2024-07-10.
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