Australia; SA
A specific gene that is inactive in platypuses and the short-beaked echidna is likely the reason these animals don't have conventional stomachs, according to Australian researchers. Both these monotremes have developed unique ways of digesting their food that do not involve acid, and the researchers say the reason for this has not been fully clear. Investigating the genes related to digestion in platypuses and echidnas, the researchers say a specific gene, NK3 homeobox 2 (Nkx3.2), was present but not active in both animals. They say this gene becoming inactive through evolution is likely linked to the strange anatomy of these Australian creatures.
From:
The absence of the stomach in the platypus has baffled scientists for centuries since their discovery. Here, we show a gene necessary for stomach development (Nkx3.2) is inactive in monotremes and likely correlates with their unique stomach anatomy.
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