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Article: Looks can be deceiving: new genetic tools bring surprises about who's cousin to whom in the animal world.
- Article from:
- Popular Science
- Article date:
- January 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Bonnier Corporation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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New genetic tools bring surprises about who's cousin to whom in the animal world.
IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, WALKS LIKE A DUCK, AND QUACKS like a duck, it is a duck, right? Not anymore, unless a DNA test says so.
Scientists at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Wisconsin recently used genetic evidence to prove that the duck-like grebe is actually more closely related to the exotic flamingo than to ducks. The finding defies common sense, because the flamingo and grebe don't look anything alike: One is long-legged and brightly colored, while the other is downright stocky and drab. What's more, the flamingo eats by filtering water through its ...