The content discusses the evolutionary adaptation of a specialized skin membrane, called the patagium, in certain marsupial species that allows them to glide through the air. The patagium extends from the forefeet to the hindfeet, enabling the marsupials to glide for up to 50 meters after jumping from a tree. This adaptation provides several advantages, such as the ability to search for food over wider areas with less energy expenditure and the ability to quickly escape from predators and aggressive tree-climbers.
The article highlights that a recent study by Moreno et al. in Nature has shed light on the elusive molecular mechanisms that allowed this evolutionary adaptation to emerge in marsupials. The patagium is a highly elastic and resistant skin membrane, similar to the webbed-sleeved jumpsuit used by wingsuit skydivers, which was inspired by these natural membranes. The content suggests that understanding the molecular basis of this adaptation in marsupials can provide insights into the evolution of self-powered flight in other species, such as bats and now-extinct pterosaurs.
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by Darí... at www.nature.com 04-24-2024
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01021-8Deeper Inquiries