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How emus and ostriches lost the ability to fly

Changes in regulatory DNA, not gene mutations, are the culprit, scientists say

emu

FLIGHTLESS FANCY  Emus (one shown with a chick) and related birds may have lost the ability to fly because of changes in DNA that regulates genes.

Graeme Chapman

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

Evolutionary tweaks to DNA that bosses genes around may have grounded some birds.