Scientists recently revealed that diving behavior evolved five distinctive times in a group of insect-eating mammals. This was discovered through the use of DNA samples to build an evolutionary tree.
BBC News reported that these tiny, warm-blooded animals' ability to dive and hunt in freezing water appears to confront evolutionary logic. The findings of the study are published in the eLife journal.
For this surprising evolutionary journey to be tracked, the researchers collected DNA samples from more than 70 different species that all belong to what's collectively called "Eulipotyphla," a large group of related insect-eating mammals.
This Latin word means "the truly fat and blind," a group of mammals that comprises moles, shrews, and hedgehogs.
'Myoglobin'
According to Dr. Michael Berenbrink, the study's lead researcher from the University of Liverpool, they sample specimens from anywhere in the world.
Once the lead researcher, together with his colleagues, had constructed their Eulipotyphla family tree, building the genetic code into a detailed image of the link between every species, they were able to use the track the diving behavior's evolution.
Together, according to an EnviroLink report, Dr. Berenbrink explained, they mapped a single protein's evolution known as myoglobin, that's storing oxygen in the muscle.
Describing their finding, the lead researcher said they could see a genetic signature in the DNA that shows when such a key protein increased in abundance in the muscles of the animals.
He elaborated that this is the alteration needed for an animal to store more oxygen in its muscles, so it can hold its breath beneath the water and hunt.
The 'Diving Signature'
As specified in the Current News Today, Dr. Berenbrink said that "diving signature" took place five unique times in this group of mammals. It evolved thrice in the shrews and two times in the moles.
The genetic sequence of just a single protein tells so much about these animals' lifestyles that couldn't be figured out from fossils.
He also said the genetic research had provided a fascinating understanding of the mammals' evolution that appears to be the least prepared for diving.
They are so small, he added, they lose heat so rapidly, and they are burning energy at a very high rate, and therefore, they have these quite high costs.
However, they can afford that since there are large grains of gaining access to all the insect larvae in both rivers and streams. Berenbrink added this shows what nature can really do.
Insect-Eating Animals
Many animal species are spending their lives eating insects, as well as other creepy crawling animals. As mentioned, moles, hedgehogs, and shrews are three groups of insect-eating mammals that are closely associated with one another.
These are tiny mammals walking on flats of their feet. More so, they have long, pointed snouts and sharps, not to mention pointed teeth for crunching through worms, insects, as well as other invertebrates.
Lastly, a lot of these mammals are characterized by small eyes and ears, although they have a strong sense of smell.
Typically, they live on the ground, and a lot of them are excellent burrowers. A few, on the other hand, have the ability to swim.
A similar report is shown on the World Explorer's YouTube video below:
Read also: Discovering Sleep Behavior of Animals: Which are the Best Sleepers, and Which Ones Sleep the Least?
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