The Haida ermine is now one of three distinct ermines that can be found in only two places in the world. She said the Haida ermine not only looks different with its elongated skull, but the mammal's DNA is also a combination of ermines found in both North America and throughout Eurasia. Colella said the mammal was first thought to be unique in 2013 but it wasn't considered a new species until scientists examined the mammal's DNA and skull. Colella said the discovery of the Haida ermine has led scientists who studied the mammal to believe that there could be other animals unique to archipelagoes like Haida Gwaii and the Prince of Wales Island. Colella said she wants to examine more animals on archipelagoes to see if there are other mammals that have gone through similar hybridization events like the Haida ermine.

Source: CBC News April 13, 2021 00:33 UTC