Experiments on a rabbit that couldn't hop helped scientists discover the gene that allows kangaroos and other animals to run and fly, new report claims.
CASCAIS, PORTUGAL - APRIL 05: A rabbit runs across the fairway during the third round of The Estoril Open de Portugal The Oitavos Dunes Golf Course on April 5, 2008, in Cascais, Portugal.
Scientists discovered the mystery behind the kangaroo's bounce during experiments on 'Alfort Jumper' rabbits, who, despite their name, are unable to leap.
Rabbits, hares, kangaroos, and certain rodent species all hop, but the molecular and genetic reason for this form of action remains unclear.
Researchers published the research in the journal PLOS Genetics titled "A Loss-of-Function Mutation in Rorb Disrupts Saltatorial Locomotion in Rabbits."
Genetical Mutations
Experts from the University of Porto used the' jumper rabbits' to study jumping-related genes and equate the findings to other forms of hopping animals.
They discovered that kangaroos and other hopping animals rely on a functioning RORB or 'jumping' gene present in nervous system regions for liftoff.
Scientists believe they will learn more about the biochemical mechanisms involved in hopping and skipping by observing these grounded fuzzy critters.
Hence, they genetically analyzed the rabbits. Researchers then crossed jumpers with another breed, and scientists compared the offspring's genes and jumping ability.
According to the researchers, the failure to jump seems to be caused by a mutation in a single position in the RORB gene.
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The mutation causes a drastic decrease in the number of RORB-producing neurons in the spinal cord. The strange walk of the sauteur d'Alfort is due to this move.
They discovered this mutation in two copies in sauteur d'Alfort rabbits. The mutation, however, was not observed in other wild and domestic rabbit species, as well as a variety of other animals, including humans.
"This study provides a rare example of an abnormal gait behavior mapped to a single base change and the first description of a gene required for saltatorial locomotion," study author Dr. Miguel Carneiro told Daily Mail.
According to the researchers, their finding ties in with previous studies that found mice with a mutation in the RORB gene had eye defects and walked in a duck-like fashion.
RORB is a Complex Gene, Researchers Claim
Although, according to Andersson, the RORB gene isn't the only one that affects gait. Certain horses' tendency to walk in an unusual way, like the Icelandic pony, has previously been attributed to a mutation in the DMRT3 gene.
Arne Ludwig, professor of animal genetics at Humboldt University and the Leibniz Institute for zoo and wildlife studies in Berlin, told The Guardian that gait is a dynamic characteristic.
Ludwig, who is not involved in the study, explained that several genes are involved in gait, and RORB is one of them.
Sauteur d'Alforts aren't the only animal gymnasts to catch people off guard, too. IFL Science shared footage of a skunk doing a handstand in the middle of the night in Arizona's Happy Valley of Saguaro National Park in 2015.
I don't know who needs to know this, but Spotted Skunks sometimes do a handstand and dance around to ward off potential aggressors.
— IFLScience (@IFLScience) August 13, 2020
Footage: National Parks Service pic.twitter.com/dE6NHniKOj
According to the National Parks Service, it seems to be humorous. Still, it is simply an act of provocation used to bully its critics. It does this to make itself look larger and show its bold marks, essentially serving as the last warning before spraying its infamous musk. The skunks would hang off if they can because producing stinky goo is a costly physiological endeavor.
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