After an in-depth analysis of the genetic material from hundreds of swabs taken from the walls, floors, machines and drains inside the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China — a site that’s been described as an epicenter of early spread of Covid-19 — scientists say they now know exactly which species of animals were in the same area where investigators also found the most positive samples the virus that causes Covid-19.

Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people

That theory is now supported by a new study analyzing more than 800 samples collected in and around the market in January 2020 as the pandemic began. Those samples show that animal species known to carry the COVID coronavirus were present in the market,