Volkswagen-Size Armored Mammal Is Armadillo Ancestor

A new genetic analysis of the glyptodont, an ancient armored creature the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, reveals that it's closely related to the modern-day armadillo. "The data sheds light on the familial relations of an enigmatic creature that has fascinated many but was always shrouded in mystery," study researcher Hendrik Poinar, an evolutionary geneticist and physical anthropologist, said in a statement. Now, a genetic analysis shows that the glyptodont is nestled deeply within the armadillo