This study used ancient mitochondrial DNA from the extinct giant beaver, Castoroides ohioensis, to determine the phylogenetic relationship between extinct beavers and the two extant species of beaver. They also wanted to determine if the aquatic lifestyle and unique ability to alter their environment in beavers originated with their common ancestor or evolved independently. The results suggest giant beavers are a sister taxa with both extant beaver species. Additionally, because both the giant beaver and extant species exhibited behaviors such as woodcutting and environmental engineering, as well as their aquatic lifestyle, the authors conclude the most parsimonious explanation is that these behaviors originated with their common ancestor, approximately 20 million years ago. This date also correlates with the disappearance of terrestrial beavers from the fossil record.
Rachel Nelson, 3/3/19 Potluck
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Axel_Barlow/publication/339018423_Ancient_DNA_reveals_twenty_million_years_of_aquatic_life_in_beavers/links/5e394caaa6fdccd96584aaf0/Ancient-DNA-reveals-twenty-million-years-of-aquatic-life-in-beavers.pdf
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