![]() ![]() "We have about 70,000 samples right now," says Julie Feinstein, the collections manager at the AMNH. They look like six-foot-tall thermoses and they're filled with liquid nitrogen. The "Barcode of Life Data System" resides in seven steel canisters stored in the basement of the museum. By analyzing this "barcode of life," they can determine if the skin is from an endangered antelope or one that's allowed to be hunted. ![]() This kind of analysis is now possible because researchers at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City have identified a specific section of DNA that is unique to each species. The idea is that customs agents can send samples of items made from animal products - like crocodile skin boots or antelope hide bags - to a DNA analysis lab where researchers can determine exactly what species the product or meat is from. They may have originated from Mali, as similar products were found in the shop of Malian leather workers who illegally ship in Nile crocodile and other skins to Congo.Ī new tool has emerged that could give investigators around the world a way to stop the illegal trade in threatened and endangered species. Leather products found at a crafts market in Brazzaville, Congo. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |