New DNA sequencing-based evidence links a 500-year-old skeleton to the
identity of King Richard III.
by John
Tyburski
Copyright © Daily
Digest News, KPR Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
The last
English monarch to die in battle was King Richard III. Until recently, only
speculation linked the dead king’s identity to a set of 500-year-old bones
found under a parking garage in the English city of Leicester back in 2012.
However, an international research team led by British scientist Turi King of
the University of Leicester’s Department of Genetics thinks they have cracked
the case.
The
researchers report this week
in the journal Nature Communications that their comparison of DNA from
the bones and DNA collected from two modern female blood-relatives of King
Richard III confirm that the bones are indeed those of the deceased monarch.
Moreover, sequence analysis of the bone DNA indicate that Richard III had blue
eyes and was blonde during his childhood.
The
researchers looked at several genetic markers, including mitochondrial genomes,
inherited through the maternal bloodline, and Y-chromosomal markers, inherited
through the paternal line, all insamples collected from living relatives of
Richard III. While the Y-chromosomal markers differed, the mitochondrial
genomes of the living female relatives matched that of the skeletal remains.
Mitochondria are DNA-containing organelles inherited exclusively from mothers
since sperm from males do not contribute mitochondria when they fertilize ova
from the females.
The
research confirms that Wendy Duldig is a niece of Richard III, 18 times
removed, while Michael Ibsen is confirmed to be the nephew of the king, 16
times removed. The team of scientists is 99.99% certain the bones belong to
Richard III.
King
Richard III is thought to have died from a blow to his head during the Battle
of Bosworth over 500 years ago.
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