Ancient DNA Links Sampled 'Extinct' Giant Crane Bones to Common Cranes

Researchers analyzed 18 ancient crane bones, including some assigned to the supposedly extinct Grus primigenia, and identified the sampled bones as common cranes. John Stewart thinks differences in size between male and female cranes may have contributed to the old classification. The original specimen used to name Grus primigenia was not tested, so the result does not settle its identity.