Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150107204906.htm
Scientists found that some geckos which lost the ability to stick to surfaces through evolutionary processes gained adaptations in other methods of locomotion such as burrowing or running. The more elaborate grips were lost, but through that natural selection created more diversity. Although there are advantages to such complicated features, they can also get in the way and can be disabled by the same procedures that created them.
We are currently studying the driving forces behind evolution and diversification, and this research demonstrates how evolution is constantly in motion and how the natural variation in geckos (quality of sticky feet pads) can cause them to diversify to occupy new niches.
Why did the geckos evolve to not have stick feet anymore?
ReplyDeleteWhen they are trying to run quickly across sand or dirt or really any terrain, having their feet stick to the ground just slows them down and trips them up, making them slower.
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