Cat, polar bear and fox: scientists discovered 125 new species of mammals that glow under ultraviolet light
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Scientists have discovered 125 species of mammals that glow under ultraviolet light. A domestic cat was among them.
This is reported by Science Alert with reference to a study published in the scientific journal Royal Society Open Science.
The research was carried out on the exhibits of the Museum of Western Australia. Scientists irradiated mammals from his collection with ultraviolet light.
It was previously known that some mammals, in particular the platypus and the wombat, have the ability to glow under ultraviolet light.
A new study has shown that mammals from 79 families and 27 orders can glow under ultraviolet light.
| Some of the animal species irradiated with ultraviolet light. Photo: Royal Society Open Science |
Animals with the ability to fluoresce include a cat, a polar bear, a zebra, a fox, a leopard, a marsupial mole, a bilby, and a bat.
The long-nosed prodolphin was the only mammal in which external fluorescence was not observed. Only his teeth were glowing.
The studied species emitted a green, blue, pink or white color under ultraviolet light.
“Although the amount and location of fluorescence varied from species to species, they all exhibited some form of visible fluorescence. White and light fur, feathers, whiskers, claws, teeth, and some areas of exposed skin fluoresced.” – write the researchers.
Fluorescence occurs when a chemical compound absorbs ultraviolet light and then emits light of a longer wavelength.
It remains unclear whether the fluorescence has any biological role.
For example, keratin is fluorescent, a protein found in nails, skin, teeth, bones, feathers, whiskers and claws. However, such a property may be just a coincidence.
The southern marsupial mole turned out to be one of the most fluorescent animals thanks to its yellow and white fur.
“Its fluorescence probably results from the reduced pigmentation found in many subterranean species, or from increased structural keratin to protect against abrasive soil particles,” – note the researchers.
However, scientists also noticed a glow in pigmented fur. Therefore, they assume that fluorescence can also be created by other substances, for example, a fluorophore.
Fluorescence was most common among nocturnal mammals. The researchers suggest that they may use fluorescence to be more visible in low-light conditions.
We will remind you that we previously wrote that 2,000 species of amphibians are threatened with extinction due to climate change.
Read also: Lonely rhinos and a parrot that does not fly. What do you know about animals that may become extinct? TEST
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