{
  "id": 6922458,
  "title": "Ancient DNA reveals North America’s ‘cheetah’ was actually closer to pumas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/ancient-dna-reveals-north-americas-cheetah-was-actually-closer-to",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-12T11:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/wildlife/for-decades-scientists-thought-north-america-had-its-own-cheetah-ancient-dna-reveals-the-extinct-cat-split-from-the-puma-lineage-2-6-million-years-ago/articleshow/134120467.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "In a groundbreaking revelation, ancient DNA analysis has clarified that Miracinonyx trumani is more closely related to pumas than cheetahs. This extinct cat thrived in North America during the Pleistocene epoch and had the unique ability to fish in colder regions. While its structure suggested agility, evolutionary genetics indicated that convergence was at play, with low genetic variety likely…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}