Why don't humans have tails? A genetic mutation offers clues
Time:2024-05-21 18:31:21 Source:travelViews(143)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Our very ancient animal ancestors had tails. Why don’t we?
Somewhere around 20 million or 25 million years ago, when apes diverged from monkeys, our branch of the tree of life shed its tail. From Darwin’s time, scientists have wondered why — and how — this happened.
Now, researchers have identified at least one of the key genetic tweaks that led to this change.
“We found a single mutation in a very important gene,” said Bo Xia, a geneticist at the Broad Institute and co-author of a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
The researchers compared the genomes of six species of apes, including humans, and 15 species of monkeys with tails to pinpoint key differences between the groups. Once they identified a significant mutation, they tested their theory by using the gene-editing tool CRISPR to tweak the same spot in mouse embryos. Those mice were born without tails.
You may also like
- Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
- China Launches Shenzhou
- China's 40th Antarctic Scientific Expedition Begins
- Xinjiang's Kashgar Witnesses Rapid Development as Gateway for Opening Up
- Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
- China Moves to Improve Grassroots Access to Basic Medical Services
- Young Entrepreneurs Turn Fine Art into Gen
- Pupils Participate in Scientific Education Tour at Henan Natural History Museum
- Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star