In today’s world of science, it’s literally time for mammals to shine.
Researchers are building an ever-growing (and shining) list of fluorescent mammals, with a newly added adorable jumping rodent called the springhare jumping into the spotlight with its brown fur in pink and orange. It shines with a swirling disco pattern Ultraviolet rays (Ultraviolet rays.
Scientists have recently detected the rosy glow of springhares in museum specimens and live animals in captivity. They found that the striking fluorescence of the springhare was “funky and vibrant,” forming a very diverse pattern “compared to the bioluminescence found in other mammals.” Wrote in a new study.
Bioluminescent animals have fur or skin that absorbs and re-emits short wavelength light as longer wavelengths and changes its color. Many types of invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds fluoresce, but in recent years scientists have also discovered the fluorescing of mammals that are active at dusk and at night, such as the flying squirrels, possums, and flying squirrels. .. platypus..
Springhare, the only member of the rodent genus PedetidaeIt is also nocturnal. There are two species — P. capensis And P. surdaster — It was found in southern Africa, parts of Kenya and Tanzania, respectively. They have short forelimbs and powerful kangaroo-like hindlimbs for hopping. And research shows that both species shine.
Researchers have exposed the hidden glow of springhares while looking for signs of biofluorescence in the flying squirrels and other gliding mammals in the Chicago Field Museum collection, an associate professor at Northland College in Ashland. Eric R. Olson, a professor and principal research author, said. Wisconsin. Their quest led them to a non-shining scaly-tailed squirrel, and then to a nearby drawer holding the squirrel’s closest living relative, the springhare.
“I saw this pinkish-orange bioluminescence in the drawer, which was an exciting moment,” Olson told Live Science in an email. “Probably the first time I saw something like this-it really fueled a fire of curiosity.”
In total, they examined 14 museum specimens and 6 captive breeding springhares — 5 alive and 1 dead. Under UV light, the dark brown fur on the back of the springhare was illuminated with bright pink stripes, spots and patches.
“Both male and female specimens fluoresce in the same area with the same intensity,” the study authors reported.
Studies show that the sparkling color of springhare is produced by an organic compound called porphyrin. Michaela Carlson, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Northland and co-author of the study, said that Tobi rabbits are likely to get a pink glow from coproporphyrins and uroporphyrins that scientists have isolated from animal fur. Stated. These two compounds fluoresce in the yellow, orange, or red region of. Visible spectrum “It depends on the conditions,” Carlson emailed Live Science.
And, unlike other glowing mammals, the bright patterns of springhares were very diverse among individuals, with some being quite spotted.
“The region with the strongest fluorescence was generally around the rear,” Carlson said. Initially, scientists suspected that springhares might have applied porphyrins, which change color on their fur as they were groomed. “Porphyrins can be excreted in the urine and feces,” Carlson said in an email. Researchers eventually rejected the hypothesis because they were unable to flush the porphyrins from the springhare fur. “Part of the pattern may be due to this exposure,” Carlson explained, because visible light breaks down these chemicals.
Another possibility is that patterning can act as a kind of camouflage, creating a visual “noise” that can protect springhares from UV-sensitive predators, Olson said.
“But it is quite possible that this trait plays no role in intra-species or inter-species interactions,” he added. “Further research is needed.”
Most (but not all) of the known mammals that exhibit bioluminescence are most active in dark environments. This suggests that bioluminescence may be a more widespread feature among species that are out at dusk or at night. “But we still need a thorough evaluation of the wider variety of suites to determine if it’s actually more common in this group,” Olson said.
The findings were published online in the journal on February 18th. Science report..
Originally published in Live Science.
Strange rodents shine under pink and orange disco swirls and UV light
Source link Strange rodents shine under pink and orange disco swirls and UV light