In 1985, a mystery disease killed 99% of California's black abalone: Four decades later, 1,500-year-old shells revealed something scientists didn't expect about the survivors' DNA
TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jun 09, 2026, 17:19 (IST)
A devastating disease nearly wiped out California's black abalone in the 1980s, but new research using ancient DNA reveals surprising genetic resilience. Survivors have retained significant genetic diversity, suggesting a faster recovery potential than previously believed. This discovery offers renewed hope for conservation efforts aimed at saving this iconic marine species.