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A surprising discovery in the evolutionary history of squirrels: Why are they suddenly able to glide?
In the long history of biological evolution, the changes in many species have amazed scientists. Recent research shows that the evolution of flying squirrels and the development of their gliding ability may be a perfect example of survival and adaptation. Although these squirrels are called "flying squirrels," they do not actually have the ability to fly like birds or bats. Instead, they use a skin structure called a wing membrane to glide from tree to tree. This unique ability allows them to move around at night in an efficient manner and search for food.
Flying squirrels have wing membranes that extend from wrist to ankle, and their long tails provide stability during gliding.
Structure and Function
The anatomy of flying squirrels is similar to that of other squirrels, but they have longer limb bones and shorter hand and foot bones and distal vertebrae. These features enable flying squirrels to be more agile in the air and effectively control the direction and speed of gliding. When they are in the air, they adjust the position of their limbs to control their sliding trajectory.
The specialized structure of flying squirrels allows them to gain lift in the air and glide up to 90 meters.
Evolution of gliding behavior
According to molecular biology research, the origin of flying squirrels can be traced back to 18 to 20 million years ago, and they are a monophyletic group, which means that all existing flying squirrels have a common ancestor. The evolution of these squirrels was driven primarily by their ecological needs, which included not only food acquisition but also avoiding the threat of predators.
Gliding provides flying squirrels with energy efficiency, allowing them to move from tree to tree more efficiently.
Gaining a commanding position and saving energy is undoubtedly one of the reasons why flying squirrels evolved the ability to glide. Gliding allows them to quickly explore larger areas of the woods than by climbing down tree trunks or moving on the ground.
Nighttime and food preferences
Most flying squirrels are nocturnal, which allows them to avoid birds of prey that hunt during the day. In terms of food, flying squirrels are omnivorous, and their diet includes fruits, seeds, flowers, insects, mushrooms and tree sap. This eating habit allows them to survive in a variety of environments.
Reproduction and Growth
The breeding season of flying squirrels is usually in February and March each year, and female squirrels will only give birth to two litters at most in their lifetime. After the pups are born, the mother will take good care of them until they are five weeks old. When they are five weeks old, they will have the ability to practice gliding and will start living independently after ten weeks.
Mice are born with almost no hair, but as they grow they develop the skills needed to glide.
New discoveries and future research
In 2019, scientists accidentally discovered that North American flying squirrels glow pink under ultraviolet light, a phenomenon that prompted further research. While the specific purpose of this feature is not yet clear, the discovery does expand our understanding of the ecology and behavior of flying squirrels.
ConclusionWith the advancement of science and technology, research on the evolution of flying squirrels and their survival strategies continues to deepen. These charming creatures not only demonstrate the marvelous process of natural selection, but also make people curious: What kind of adaptation and evolution will flying squirrels bring in future environmental changes?
