In 2003, researchers published a paper in PLoS Biology that came to a conclusion often reached by biologists studying unique, island-bound species: Borneo's pygmy elephants - forest-dwelling pachyderms of diminutive stature and timid demeanor - are genetically distinct from other Asian elephant subspecies, and they've evolved for millennia separated from their cousins in Thailand, Burma, and elsewhere. But then the researchers changed their minds.
Survey Series
For Advertisers
A Sultan's gift?
(continued >>)
To continue reading this full article, you must be a subscriber to The Scientist.
You are only a few minutes away from unlimited access.
If you already have an online subscription, please Log-In Now.
New to The Scientist? Register to get access to a selection of our content, interactive features and useful tools free without a subscription.
New to The Scientist? Register to get access to a selection of our content, interactive features and useful tools free without a subscription.
Subscribe to The Scientist to get unlimited access to our premium content
Get unlimited access to this article and over 20 years of The Scientist archives. You won’t miss a word – all for as little as $4.95. Subscribe now.The Scientist offers site licenses to institutions and organizations. Recommend us to your librarian and get online access through your place or work or study.