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genetics

Are Irish badgers a distinct subspecies?

Undoubtedly one of the biggest wildlife issues in Ireland and Britain over the last few years has been the role of badgers (Meles meles) in the transmission of TB to cattle and the subsequent culling efforts to curtail the disease. This has understandably led to public outcry over this culling….

Polar bears of Irish descent

A team of international researchers from eight countries has discovered that current polar bears have a common Irish ancestor. The research, which was led by Professor Dan Bradley of the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College Dublin, examined genetic material from more than 240 bears, both living and long….