A Study on Rodent Adaptation UPSC NOTE

A Study on Rodent Adaptation

Prelims: General Science (Biology - Evolution, Adaptation, Convergent Evolution).

A new study found the evolutionary reason why most rodents, which are rodents, have flat thumbnails instead of sharp claws on their thumbs.
This is not a useless remnant, but a specific adaptation.
These thumbnails are directly related to using hands to manipulate food at the mouth. This helps make eating more efficient.
However, in animals that use only their mouth to eat, this thumbnail disappeared over time.
In burrowing animals, sharp claws developed on the thumb to aid in digging.
These changes occurred independently many times, serving as an excellent example of how animals evolve according to their environment.

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