1 day ago
When scientists with the National Center for Wildlife in Saudi Arabia were surveying caves in search of wildlife in 2022 and 2023, they came across something unexpected: seven naturally mummified cheetahs in five caves near the northern city of Arar. The remains were largely intact with well-preserved soft tissue and skeletons.
Now, an ******* ysis of three of the mummies' DNA has revealed something that could help reintroduce cheetahs to the Arabian Peninsula wilderness, researchers say.
Cheetahs once inhabited much of Africa and parts of Asia, but now they are found in only 9% of their historic range. It was previously believed that the Asiatic cheetah, called Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, was the only subspecies ever present in Saudi Arabia. The species is now critically endangered, with a small wild population remaining in Iran. Across the peninsula, cheetahs were deemed locally extinct in the 1970s.
But when the researchers ******* yzed three of the mummies, they found that two of the oldest specimens were genetically closer to the subspecies Acinonyx jubatus hecki, known as the Northwest African cheetah.
The findings, published in January in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, reveal that at least two subspecies of cheetah once roamed the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery could help reintroduction efforts as scientists now know which cheetah lineages once lived in the peninsula and have evidence of their success in the area.
#cheetahs #cheetah #once #arabia
Now, an ******* ysis of three of the mummies' DNA has revealed something that could help reintroduce cheetahs to the Arabian Peninsula wilderness, researchers say.
Cheetahs once inhabited much of Africa and parts of Asia, but now they are found in only 9% of their historic range. It was previously believed that the Asiatic cheetah, called Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, was the only subspecies ever present in Saudi Arabia. The species is now critically endangered, with a small wild population remaining in Iran. Across the peninsula, cheetahs were deemed locally extinct in the 1970s.
But when the researchers ******* yzed three of the mummies, they found that two of the oldest specimens were genetically closer to the subspecies Acinonyx jubatus hecki, known as the Northwest African cheetah.
The findings, published in January in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, reveal that at least two subspecies of cheetah once roamed the Arabian Peninsula. The discovery could help reintroduction efforts as scientists now know which cheetah lineages once lived in the peninsula and have evidence of their success in the area.
#cheetahs #cheetah #once #arabia
25 days ago
Eva Longoria, 51, showed off her curvaceous figure in a plethora of bikinis during her recent getaway.
The star shared a fun carousel on social media with the caption: "Summer is summering," with a sun and orange heart emoji.
The entertainer was seen sun-tanning in a cheetah bikini with a white straw hat, donning a bold pink bikini with a white ***** on-down shirt while shopping, and embracing her family members at lunch while flaunting an indigo bikini with the overlaid text: "My soulmates…."
Fans flocked to her post to cheer her on. One person wrote: "Gorgeousness xx enjoy," while a second person added: "Glowing." A third follower continued: "Girl you look amazing, so beautiful."
Eva showed off her curvy figure (Instagram)
#summer
The star shared a fun carousel on social media with the caption: "Summer is summering," with a sun and orange heart emoji.
The entertainer was seen sun-tanning in a cheetah bikini with a white straw hat, donning a bold pink bikini with a white ***** on-down shirt while shopping, and embracing her family members at lunch while flaunting an indigo bikini with the overlaid text: "My soulmates…."
Fans flocked to her post to cheer her on. One person wrote: "Gorgeousness xx enjoy," while a second person added: "Glowing." A third follower continued: "Girl you look amazing, so beautiful."
Eva showed off her curvy figure (Instagram)
#summer
2 months ago
In just four seasons, Brent Venables has transformed the Oklahoma Sooners from the nation's No. 122 defense into the No. 6 unit in college football. Oklahoma must replace several key contributors from last season, including EDGE R Mason Thomas, defensive tackles Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams, Cheetah Kendal Daniels and safety Robert Spears-Jennings.
Despite those departures, there is still an expectation inside the program that the defense will regress in 2026. Instead, Oklahoma believes it has the talent to become the nation's top defense. That confidence stems from Venables' long track record of building elite defenses throughout his coaching career.
On3's J.D. PicKell said on "The Hard Count" that many inside the program believe this could be the best defense of the Venables era.
"They think this might be their best 11 they've had under Venables on that side of the football," PicKell said. "You never worry about scheme with Venables."
Replacing veterans such as Thomas and Halton won't be easy, but Oklahoma believes its overall talent level is stronger than ever. A big part of that is who the Sooners return on that side of the ball. Oklahoma returns 55% of its production on that side of the ball, including stars like David Stone, Jayden Jackson, Taylor Wein, Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke.
Despite those departures, there is still an expectation inside the program that the defense will regress in 2026. Instead, Oklahoma believes it has the talent to become the nation's top defense. That confidence stems from Venables' long track record of building elite defenses throughout his coaching career.
On3's J.D. PicKell said on "The Hard Count" that many inside the program believe this could be the best defense of the Venables era.
"They think this might be their best 11 they've had under Venables on that side of the football," PicKell said. "You never worry about scheme with Venables."
Replacing veterans such as Thomas and Halton won't be easy, but Oklahoma believes its overall talent level is stronger than ever. A big part of that is who the Sooners return on that side of the ball. Oklahoma returns 55% of its production on that side of the ball, including stars like David Stone, Jayden Jackson, Taylor Wein, Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke.
2 months ago
Ulster will face Cheetahs, Perpignan, Dragons, Bayonnais and Zebre in pool one of the 2026-27 European Challenge Cup.
Richie Murphy's side lost this year's final against Montpellier and are back in the second-tier European competition after finishing ninth in the United Rugby Championship table.
They have been drawn against French opposition again in Top 14 sides Bayonnais and Perpignan, who finished 12th and 13th in the division.
The province will also come up against South African side Cheetahs, who they beat in the group stage last year, as well as familiar URC opposition in Italian side Zebre and Welsh team Dragons.
In the Champions Cup, this year's beaten finalists Leinster will be up against French sides Clermont Auvergne and Pau as well as English teams Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks and fellow URC outfit Glasgow Warriors in Pool One.
Richie Murphy's side lost this year's final against Montpellier and are back in the second-tier European competition after finishing ninth in the United Rugby Championship table.
They have been drawn against French opposition again in Top 14 sides Bayonnais and Perpignan, who finished 12th and 13th in the division.
The province will also come up against South African side Cheetahs, who they beat in the group stage last year, as well as familiar URC opposition in Italian side Zebre and Welsh team Dragons.
In the Champions Cup, this year's beaten finalists Leinster will be up against French sides Clermont Auvergne and Pau as well as English teams Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks and fellow URC outfit Glasgow Warriors in Pool One.
