Real dire wolves more intriguing than myth

[Judi Lynn]

JANUARY 14 2021 - 3:00AM

Nick Gibbs

Ancient DNA from dire wolf fossils shows the creatures portrayed as mythical beasts were a mere distant relative of modern species, new research in Nature journal says.

Anatomical similarities between grey wolves and dire wolves had suggested they could be related in a manner similar to humans and Neanderthals, but co-lead author Kieren Mitchell said a more accurate comparison would be distant cousins, like humans and chimps.

"Dire wolves are sometimes portrayed as mythical creatures, giant wolves prowling bleak frozen landscapes, but reality turns out to be even more interesting," Dr Mitchell said.

"While ancient humans and Neanderthals appear to have interbred, as do modern grey wolves and coyotes, our genetic data provided no evidence that dire wolves interbred with any living canine species.

More:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7085324/real-dire-wolves-more-intriguing-than-myth/?cs=14231