Moreover,
🐜 mammals have evolved ants:
Mammals have developed amazing eating habits in the past 100 million years. However, A recent study highlights extreme adaptations to eat exclusively of ants and termites.
This research. Moreover, published in Evolutionreveals that mammals have evolved independently to this specialized regime at least 12 times since the start of the Cenozoic era. Consequently, We are talking about independent developments, for multiple non -related species, at several different periods.
Image d’illustration Pixabay
Scientists attribute this evolving convergence to the massive expansion of the colonies of ants. For example, termites, in particular after theextinction Dinosaurs.
The researchers have compiled food data for 4,099 mammals species, revealing the diversity of regimes in the Mammalian world.
The study shows that myrmecophagous mammals share an insatiable appetite, requiring to 🐜 mammals have evolved ants consume thousands of insects each jour To survive. This food specialization seems to be a return route, with little diversification once adopted.
Ants and termites today represent a significant part of global biomass. Their abundance has influenced the evolution of many species, pushing some to adopt a diet based on these insects. This strategy, although risky, could offer advantages to climate change.
A phylogenetic tree of mammals with colors representing the diet of living species. their ancestors; Myrmecophagous mammal silhouettes surround theTREE. And diagram Inserted at the top right illustrates the transitions between food states.
Credit: Vida, Calamari, & Barden / Njit
What is myrmecophagy? – 🐜 mammals have evolved ants
Myrmecophagy designates the specific diet consisting in feeding mainly or exclusively of ants and termites. This eating behavior is observed in several species of mammals, birds and even 🐜 mammals have evolved ants reptiles.
Myrmecophages species have developed morphological and physiological adaptations to capture and digest these insects. Among these adaptations are long. sticky languages, specialized claws to dig, and digestive systems capable of treating chitin, a major component of the exoskeleton of insects.
This diet is particularly energy -consuming, because ants and termites are low in nutrients. Myrmecophagous animals must therefore consume huge quantities every day to meet their energy needs.
Myrmecophagy is an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits in response to common selective pressures.
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