"Testicular descent is a very specialized process that required the evolution of specific genes," said Sheau Yu Teddy Hsu, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and senior author of the study. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this adaptive process may help physicians understand why the testes of about 30 percent of premature boys fail to descend to the scrotum properly. Moving the testicles' heat-sensitive cargo, the sperm, to an outer pouch called the scrotum allows it to be stored in a cooler environment. The information enabled the Stanford researchers to trace the evolution of two genes involved in moving the testicles away from the warm core of the body during the development of most mammals. The newly sequenced platypus genome, published concurrently with the Stanford research, provides a wealth of data about the unique egg-laying mammal. Now researchers at the School of Medicine have turned to the strange animal to understand the genesis of an evolutionary tour de force that led to a reproductive advantage possessed by nearly all of today's mammals.īiologists have debated the origins of the Australian animal for more than 200 years. The odd-looking platypus is often cited as proof that God has a sense of humor. Platypus is one of his favorite topics and he has a large collection of interesting facts about the platypus on. The Platypus is sometimes jokingly referred to as proof that God has a sense of humour.ĭavid has interest in collecting facts about different topics like sports, space, animals on. Weight of these mammals varies considerably from 0.7 to 2.4 kg (1.5 to 5.3 lb). The snout of the Platypus is in fact a sensory organ with the mouth on the underside. Its fur which is plum-colored is waterproof and its texture is amazingly quite like a mole’s fur. Seems like it spends most of its time hunting. Other Interesting Facts about the Platypus The Platypus has extra bones in the shoulder girdle, including an interclavicle, which is not found in other mammals. The female platypus has two ovaries but only one of them is functional, the left one.
The appearance of platypus baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud.Įven its genital parts are of strange nature. It is an egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal. It has a spur on the hind foot that delivers a venom capable of causing severe pain to humans. In case of platypus, only males have have the capability of injecting the venom. Just like its other features, its venom is also something interesting. It will be more accurate to say its the only ‘living’ member of its family and genus as related species have been found from fossil records.
Platypus is the sole member of its family as well as genus i.e. Normally mammals give birth to live young. It is one of the only two mammals on Earth that lay eggs. Lets see how it is different from other creatures. Its bizarre appearance and some unique features attract me towards it. Platypus is one of the most interesting creatures on Earth. Platypus – Facts About This Amazing Creature!
0 kommentar(er)
