Two new species of mole have been discovered in the mountainous regions of eastern Turkey. Both have been hidden from the eyes of science for nearly 3 million years. While finding new mammals is becoming increasingly difficult, this finding confirms that there is still much to be discovered.
Specifically, a group of international scientists identified two moles they named. Talpa hakkariensis and Talpa davidiana tatvanensis. These animals join the family of subterranean, invertebrate-feeding mammals whose geographic distribution spans Europe and Western Asia.
It should be noted that although There are only two species in Spain; European mole (european talpas) and Iberian mole (Western)As you head towards the east of Europe, you will find many different species.
difficult weather conditions
The newly discovered moles live in extreme weather conditions, which allows them to adapt to very cold and extremely hot conditions. This way, It can adapt to more than 50 degrees temperature They manage to reach thermometers in the summer and survive the freezing winters under two meters of snow.
DNA sequencing was vital to this finding. Without these techniques it would be impossible to tell them apart. “The new moles we’ve identified are similar to other types,” insists the lead author of the study, published in the journal Cell. Linneal Society Journal of ZoologyDavid Bilton.
Because moles live underground, it’s not surprising that they have limitations on evolution, so their bodies don’t usually go through major changes. However, when these animals are examined in more detail with a genetic magnifying glass, it turns out that they are very different from each other.
There are currently 18 types of moles in Europe and Asia.
Alongside genetic analysis, the researchers studied the size and shape of their bodies through advanced mathematics, allowing them to include specimens collected in the 19th century that became museum pieces. With these results The total number of known Eurasian moles increased from 16 species to 18 species, each has its own unique genetic and physical characteristics.
HE Talpa hakkariensis It was found in the Hakkari region of southeastern Turkey. This new species had very different characteristics, both in terms of morphology and DNA. Youalpa davidiana tatvanensis It was found near the city of Bitlis in southeastern Turkey. Although it shows some distinctive features, it has been classified as a subspecies of this species. Davidian TalpaAlso known as Father David’s mole, it is also a common species in Iran. The latter was first described in 1884 and today is threatened with extinction as it has lost its habitat.
It’s not uncommon to find new mammals on the planet. “Only about 6,500 mammal species have been identified worldwide, and for comparison, about 400,000 insect species are known, of which 1-2 million are estimated to be on Earth,” says Bilton.
In this sense, the biologist underlines: “Most people assume we know all the species with which we share the planet, and our study highlights that: we may be underestimating the true nature of biodiversity”, explains the researcher. Therefore, this study emphasizes the need to review the current taxonomy.
“We have no doubt that future research will reveal that there is more diversity than we thought, and that more new mole species remain undiscovered,” the scientist insists. With climate change and habitat loss, this task becomes even more urgent. The researcher concludes: “If we want to preserve species, we must know they exist.”
Reference work, at this link.
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