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Researchers say they have recovered genetic material from the Tasmanian tiger, an Australian animal that has long been extinct. The discovery could help scientists learn more about these creatures before they disappeared from Earth.

研究人员表示，他们已经从塔斯马尼亚虎身上找到了遗传物质，塔斯马尼亚虎是一种早已灭绝的澳大利亚动物。 这一发现可以帮助科学家在这些生物从地球上消失之前更多地了解它们。

The recovered material is called ribonucleic acid, or RNA. RNA is a group of molecules present in all living cells that is important for genetic activity. It is similar to DNA, the molecules that contain an organism's genetic instructions.

回收的物质称为核糖核酸或RNA。 RNA 是存在于所有活细胞中的一组分子，对遗传活动非常重要。 它类似于 DNA，即包含有机体遗传指令的分子。

RNA carries genetic information it receives from DNA. RNA combines groups of proteins that organisms require to live and works to control cell metabolism.

RNA携带从DNA接收的遗传信息。 RNA结合了生物体生存所需的蛋白质组并控制细胞代谢。

The researchers said the recovered RNA came from skin and muscle from the remains of a Tasmanian tiger stored since 1891 in a museum in Stockholm, Sweden.

研究人员表示，回收的 RNA 来自自 1891 年以来存放在瑞典斯德哥尔摩博物馆的一只塔斯马尼亚虎遗骸的皮肤和肌肉。

Scientists have in recent years taken DNA from different ancient animals and plants. But the team said it was the first time RNA has been recovered from an extinct animal.

近年来，科学家们从不同的古代动物和植物中提取了 DNA。 但研究小组表示，这是第一次从灭绝的动物身上回收RNA。

Scientists believe the Tasmanian tiger once lived on the Australian continent and surrounding islands. It was a top predator at the time, hunting kangaroos and other animals. The last known Tasmanian tiger is believed to have died in a Tasmanian zoo in 1936.