Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Monsoon played role in evolution of mammals
BackBack

Monsoon played role in evolution of mammals

The findings, published in Nature journal’s scientific reports, could have a big impact on conservation of species in areas affected by monsoon

There have been sporadic studies that have shown the link between monsoon variation and extinction of animals. Photo: AFP (AFP)Premium
There have been sporadic studies that have shown the link between monsoon variation and extinction of animals. Photo: AFP (AFP)

New Delhi: Besides changing the patterns of floods and droughts and impacting farm economies, the monsoon has now been found to play an important role in the evolution of mammals and extinction of species.

This is the first time that scientists have uncovered evidence that weakening and strengthening monsoon rainfall played a key role in the evolution of some species. Over 24 million years, the changes observed in the teeth and shape of heads of some rats matched the strength of the varying patterns of monsoon. Of the 38 species studied, only six still exist today and the changing rains seem to have led to the extinction of many.

“It was natural to assume that a mighty climatic phenomenon like the monsoon would play a part in evolution, but until now there has never been any decisive evidence," said Fabien Knoll, a senior researcher at the University of Manchester. “We have now found that."

There have been sporadic studies that have shown the link between monsoon variation and extinction of animals. In 2009, scientists from Indiana University and Panjab University said global cooling and monsoon intensification had influenced the disappearance of Orangutan-like species called Sivapithecus found in Siwalik forests in India.

The findings, published on Wednesday in Nature journal’s scientific reports, could have a major impact on the conservation of species in areas affected by the monsoon. The researchers looked at the pattern of variation of the South Asian monsoon over time and compared it with the evolution of African mole rats and bamboo rats as revealed by a full analysis of their relationships coupled with studies of their distribution in space and through time and of their evolutionary rates.

Knoll explained that rodents were used for the study because they are the most common mammals in the fossil record, and they evolved rapidly and are extremely sensitive to changes in their habitat. Researchers discovered that in periods when the monsoon was weaker, the teeth of these rodents changed, as did other body parts they would use for digging, and they started to burrow underground to protect themselves from predators when there was thinner forest cover.

“We suggest that the variations in the monsoon intensity have impacted the evolution of most, if not all, mammals living in this region, although this remains to be proved convincingly and the pattern would probably vary from group to group," said Knoll.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 11 Mar 2015, 12:33 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App