Platypuses are unprecedented creatures, they have characteristics that are uncommon in mammals; They belong to the order of the monotremata. That is to say, they are one of the few mammals that reproduce through eggs. But this is not the only peculiarity they have, it has just been proven that platypuses glow in the dark.
From its physical constitution, the platypus is an extremely surprising animal. With a body very similar to that of a beaver and legs of an otter, this creature becomes very attractive to the eye. However, the platypus achieves the almost chimerical peculiarity by having a duck’s beak.
Now scientists have found another feature that makes it even more surprising. They have determined that platypus fur glows green or cyan under ultraviolet light. This is the first observation of biofluorescence in a mammalian animal that lays eggs.
Scientists believe that this extraordinary trait in glowing platypuses may not be so surprising, as it responds to an evolutionary need to live in the dark of night.
Biofluorescence in platypuses
The group of researchers analyzed two specimens – a female and a male – from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, as well as another specimen from the State Museum of the University of Nebraska, by mere serendipity. The results indicated that the body of platypuses absorbs UV rays, with wavelengths of 200 to 400 nanometers.
In addition, it again emits visible light, 500 to 600 nanometers, resulting in an optical process known as biofluorescence.
That of the experts leans towards an evolutionary need and a process of adaptation to low-light environments. Biofluorescence is a characteristic that has been observed in other animal species such as opossums and flying squirrels. Animals that are most active during the dark of night, like platypuses.
This suggests that platypuses evolved bioluminescence to adapt to low-light conditions, meaning they could see and interact with each other in complete darkness. Although this is not the only hypothesis that the researchers formulated.
It is also believed that the fluorescence present in platypuses could serve as an instrument of communication between them. In addition to playing an important role as a defense tool against predators.
The next step will be to analyze the presence of biofluorescence in other species that are believed to have common ramifications regarding their origin.