As it turned out, Dr. Miyamoto’s theory was a lot more valid than was anticipated. By using the DNA of several similar Pterodactylus species as well as the DNA sample from the axotlotl he had brought and the snake heart gene obtained from Heather, the Animalia Virus was able to not only fuse the fossilized DNA into a workable strand but also used the axotlotl DNA as a kind of “bridge” to help the various DNA strands fit together.
But there were also several other discoveries involving fossilized DNA also made. One was that the older the DNA “donor” (such as dinosaurs from the Jurassic or Triassic eras), the more fossilized samples needed to create a complete strand. Dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period only needed DNA samples from five or six similar fossils, while dinosaurs from the Jurassic period needed eight to nine samples, and dinosaurs from the Triassic period needed eleven to twelve samples. Fossilized DNA from animals of the Tertiary Era, such as the planned mammoth and saber-toothed tigers only needed three to four samples in order to create a complete strand.
Another surprising thing that was discovered about axotlotl DNA was that it seemed to enhance the regenerative capabilities of the virus, making the regeneration of lost limbs possible in a matter of minutes. Also, the growth of new limbs, such as wings and tails also happened more quickly due to the inclusion of axotlotl DNA. As a precaution, DNA samples from previous Project Phoenix Volunteers who were in the Project to regrow limbs were “borrowed” to use as a comparison for future Project Phoenix Volunteers who joined to regrow limbs to make sure that the axotlotl DNA didn’t leave behind any surprises. Fortunately, one recent Project Phoenix Volunteers had chosen orca as his new species, so it was easy to compare his DNA with Bennie’s. The result showed that there was relatively no real difference, when comparing DNA from two different people, in the DNA strands.
After Dr. Miyamoto submitted the results of his research to the Japanese government, he learned that both Japan and China were actively working on where to place an Animalian colony in their nations. He had also gotten permission from his government to double dose the axotlotl he had brought with him as compensation for its patience, so to speak.
The axotlotl, when uplifted, was revealed to be female and had taken the name Chel after a Mayan goddess of midwifery, since she was technically still Mexican. During the mandatory physical that was required for all new Animalians, it was determined that while she had fully formed lungs, her gills (which were now effectively hair in appearance, rather like fuzzy dreadlocks) were still capable of performing their original purpose while underwater in a similar way that most fish Animalians’ Gills functioned.
There were also two or three amusing things that resulted from this experiment. First, Heather acting like a big baby, for fun, when they came to get her DNA somehow got onto YouTube, both blunting her bad reputation and generating more than a million views. Also, with the discovery of the initial success of Project Thylacine, natural history museums were effectively ransacking their storerooms for the DNA of extinct species, with one of the planned “resurrections” being the passenger pigeon.
Another really amusing thing was the discovery of a young condor studying medicine at UNLV. When the local news asked him about it, his response was, “So I can prey on the weak and sickly financially instead of physically.” This response would not only be considered very hilarious, especially those who remembered the Tiny Toons Adventures episode Toons from the Crypt, but would generate more than 100 internet memes, and show that Animalia wasn’t all about farming and tourism.