A new study says turtles are more closely related to dinosaurs and birds than they are to lizards.

Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences used a genetic sequencing technique called Ultra Conserved Elements (UCE) to conclude that turtles are dinosaur descendants. They obtained information from the DNA and fossils of the turtles.

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"New techniques like UCE dramatically improve our ability to help resolve decades-long evolutionary mysteries, giving us a clear picture of how animals like turtles evolved on our constantly-changing planet," affirmed Brian Simison, Director of the Academy's Center for Comparative Genomics.

Researchers gave the turtles a new name, Archelosauria, along with their closest relatives, including crocodiles, birds and dinosaurs.

The new study confirmed these turtles are from an ancient line making them only distant relatives of other turtles.

It also suggests it would be the largest group of vertebrates to receive a new scientific name.

Study co-author James Parham said UCE has brought a new level of clarity in turtle research.

UCE has been popular since its introduction in 2012. Scientists have used the new technology to genetically map vertebrates. They say it's revolutionized the ability of humans to understand evolution and the tree of life.

New findings also helped scientists comprehend the mystery behind the placement of soft shell turtles in this tree of life.

TagsTurtles Are Descendant of Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs, Birds, animal fossils, animal DNA, ancient turtle, ancient animal, Ultra Conserved Elements, UCE, Archelosauria, animal kingdom