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Jonathan the tortoise, 194, carries unusually orderly mitochondrial genes

Researchers sequenced cheek samples from the world's oldest land animal (after a first attempt turned out to be mouth bacteria) and found 287 unique aging-related gene variants plus well-kept epigenetic tags on mitochondrial genes, though nothing yet proves these explain his long life.

Image: Live Science

Read the original: Scientists discover the genetic secrets that may have helped Jonathan the tortoise live to 194 years old at Live Science