Results of new methods of testing
Scientists have studied animals and their fossils but now also use analysis of protein sequence data and DNA sequence data for more accurate analysis. Scientists compared elephant DNA bases with that of mammoths.
They used these techniques along with accurate carbon dating of mammoths frozen in permafrost. This improved the accuracy of classifying evolutionary relationships.
It is now known that orcas (killer whales) and cows share a common ancestor, while the hyrax and elephant also share a common ancestor.
