Kangaroo confirmed the laws of evolution

Australian scientists have conducted a large study of people living in the present and already extinct marsupial mammals of the family of the kangaroo and confirmed that their anatomy varied depending on the climate in Australia. The work of researchers published in the journal Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, and its summary is available in the press release Flinders University.

In total, scientists compare the skeletons of 35 different species of kangaroo, including kangaroos, tree kangaroos and wallabies. The researchers analyzed the structure of not only the skeleton but also the skull and teeth. Scientists have shown that the ancient forms were more adapted to living in a relatively humid climate with lots of meadows. Over time, the climate in Australia was becoming increasingly dry, and kangaroo species are beginning to acquire appropriate adaptive changes.

In particular, researchers have found characteristic changes in the shape of teeth, which reflect the transition from a diet containing mostly juicy and soft grass, to a diet consisting mainly of tougher leaves. In addition, scientists have shown that the feet of modern or extinct kangaroo more recently adapted for jumping over long distances - at least how varied Australian climate and landscape, the ability to become a kangaroo all the more necessary.

Australian scientists presented evidence is not a breakthrough - Evolutionary theory predicts that the described changes in their anatomy should occur as climate changes. Nevertheless, the new work is valuable because in it these considerations have been confirmed in fact.