More than 100 scientists from the United States, Australia, Japan and other nations took part in the research, using DNA collected from a female platypus named Glennie. Unlike other evolving mammals, the platypus retained characteristics of snakes and lizards, including the pain-causing poison that males can use to ward off mating rivals, Graves said. Scientists believe all mammals evolved from reptiles, and the animals that became platypuses and those that became humans shared an evolutionary path until about 165 million years ago when the platypus branched off. "What we found was the genome, just like the animal, is an amazing amalgam of reptilian and mammal characteristics with quite a few unique platypus characteristics as well," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The research showed the animal's multifaceted features are reflected in its DNA with a mix of genes that crosses different classifications of animals, said Jenny Graves, an Australian National University genomics expert who co-wrote the paper. "But as weird as this animal looks, its genome sequence is priceless for understanding how mammalian biological processes evolved," Collins said in a statement. National Human Genome Research Institute, which funded the study. "At first glance, the platypus appears as if it was the result of an evolutionary accident," said Francis S. Males have venom-filled spurs on their heels. But it also has bird and reptile features - a duck-like bill and webbed feet, and lives mostly underwater. The platypus is classed as a mammal because it has fur and feeds its young with milk. The researchers, whose analysis of the platypus genome was published Thursday in the journal Nature, said it could help explain how mammals, including humans, evolved from reptiles millions of years ago. SYDNEY, Australia - Scientists said they have mapped the genetic makeup of the platypus - one of nature's strangest animals with a bill like a duck's, a mammal's fur and snake-like venom.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |