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
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."
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