Genetic Explanation For Moles' Poor Eyesight (2024)

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Date:
October 25, 2008
Source:
BMC Biology
Summary:
Due to their underground habitats, moles' eyes have been modified by natural selection in ways very different from those of surface-dwelling animals. New research offers a detailed anatomical and genetic examination of the changes that result from living life in the dark.
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Due to their underground habitats, moles' eyes have been modified by natural selection in ways very different from those of surface-dwelling animals. New research, offers a detailed anatomical and genetic examination of the changes that result from living life in the dark.

A team of researchers led by J Martin Collinson from the University of Aberdeen has carried out the first molecular study of the entire process of lens development in a subterranean animal - the Iberian mole, Talpa occidentalis, which has permanently closed eyes unlike the closely related European mole found in gardens throughout Britain. According to Collinson "Our results show that there are primary developmental defects in the lens of this insectivore. As a result, the adult lens is composed of a disrupted epithelium and a disorganised mass of immature and nucleated fibre cells."

The genetic information the authors amassed shows that the internal defects in the animals' eyes are not the result of an adult degenerative condition but because development of the eye lens fibres, which starts normally, is not completed. The expression of some genes that are central to eye development is also abnormal.

Story Source:

Materials provided by BMC Biology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

  1. Francisco David Carmona, Rafael Jiménez and Jon Martin Collinson. The molecular basis of defective lens development in the Iberian Mole. BMC Biology, (in press)

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BMC Biology. "Genetic Explanation For Moles' Poor Eyesight." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 October 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020191534.htm>.

BMC Biology. (2008, October 25). Genetic Explanation For Moles' Poor Eyesight. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 2, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020191534.htm

BMC Biology. "Genetic Explanation For Moles' Poor Eyesight." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081020191534.htm (accessed June 2, 2024).


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Genetic Explanation For Moles' Poor Eyesight (2024)

FAQs

Genetic Explanation For Moles' Poor Eyesight? ›

Summary: Due to their underground habitats, moles

moles
Moles are small mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, very small, inconspicuous eyes and ears, reduced hindlimbs, and short, powerful forelimbs with large paws adapted for digging.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Mole_(animal)
' eyes have been modified by natural selection in ways very different from those of surface-dwelling animals.

Why do moles have poor eyesight? ›

According to Collinson "Our results show that there are primary developmental defects in the lens of this insectivore. As a result, the adult lens is composed of a disrupted epithelium and a disorganised mass of immature and nucleated fibre cells."

Is bad eyesight a genetic defect? ›

Can poor eyesight be inherited? Poor eyesight can be genetic, and this is more likely if one or both of your parents have vision problems. Poor eyesight can also be caused or impacted by other factors, like age, general health, environment and lifestyle.

Are some moles born without eyes? ›

For instance, many people think all moles are blind or even without eyes entirely. This is not true: All mole species have eyes, though their vision tends to be quite basic. Scientists believe moles are colorblind and nearsighted, but that their eyes are exceptionally good at detecting light.

Which animal has the poorest eyesight? ›

5 animals with the worst vision
  1. Rhinoceroses. This beast of the African Savannah is most well-known for its impressive horns, and it's often depicted charging targets with incredible speed. ...
  2. Bats. Contrary to popular opinion, bats aren't blind. ...
  3. Bulls. ...
  4. Deep sea fish. ...
  5. Moles.
Apr 21, 2015

Who are prone to moles? ›

"A person can be genetically predisposed to developing more moles, and usually he or she will have family members that easily develop moles, too," says Dr. Jih. "People who have fairer skin are also more likely to develop moles — especially with increased UV exposure — since they produce less protective pigment."

Why do moles have eyes if they are blind? ›

Since moles are subterranean creatures and spend most of their lives underground, their eyes have adapted to their lifestyle. Their eyes can detect light and dark, but they can not see much beyond that. Instead, they rely on their other senses to survive, such as touch and smell.

Does eyesight come from mom or dad? ›

If you read our Mother's Day post, you know that nearsightedness can be inherited from your mom but is even more likely to be inherited from your dad. While nearsightedness is a result of both genetic and environmental factors, eye shape is inherited.

Which eye defect is hereditary? ›

Many types of eye disease can be inherited. Most cases of blindness in infants are caused by inherited forms of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal degeneration and eye malformations. Furthermore, inheritable glaucoma and macular degeneration are two of the leading causes of blindness in adults.

What is the science behind bad eyesight? ›

Nearsightedness and farsightedness have to do with the way the eye brings images into focus on the back of the eyeball, where 10 layers of delicate nerve tissue make up the retina. Images that do not focus on the retina will appear blurry. The further away images focus from the retina, the blurrier they appear.

What does a mole indicate? ›

A mole may be a sign of skin cancer if it has irregular borders or an asymmetrical shape, or if it changes in color, shape, size or height.

What are the predators of moles? ›

Predators—including snakes, dogs, and coyotes—kill moles. In addition, attracting barn owls and other raptors, which prey on juvenile moles when they disperse, may help control a mole population, particularly in rural areas.

What is the purpose of a mole? ›

The mole can be used to determine the simplest formula of a compound and to calculate the quantities involved in chemical reactions. When dealing with reactions that take place in solutions, the related concept of molarity is useful. Molarity (M) is defined as the number of moles of a solute in a litre of solution.

What race has the worst eyesight? ›

Black, Hispanic, and low-income adults are more likely to have visual impairment, often attributable to preventable causes.

Who has the best eyesight ever? ›

It seems that the best eyesight ever reported in a human was in an Aborigine man with 20/5 vision! To give you an idea of how clear and far he could see, his vision measurement compares to the natural sight of eagles. From 20 feet, he could perceive the fine details that most people can only see from 5 feet away!

Is bad eyesight a genetic mutation? ›

Recently, researchers have been determining which genes in your DNA are linked to poor vision. As it turns out, genetics plays a large role in many eye diseases and conditions occurring in children and adults. In fact, genetics is at least partially responsible for macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Are blurry moles normal? ›

The ABCDE rule is another guide to the usual signs of melanoma. Be on the lookout and tell your doctor about spots that have any of the following features: A is for Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other. B is for Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.

Do moles have sensitive eyes? ›

Moles can range anywhere from 5 to 8 inches in length. They can either have brown or gray fur with pink feet, noses and tails. You usually can't see mole eyes, as their light-sensitive eyes are covered by fur.

Why are moles so confusing? ›

One of the reasons students tend to be easily confused by the mole concept is the seemingly arbitrary nature of the number itself, which tends to enable students to forget that it is simply a counting number.

What are the bad things about moles? ›

If your skin mole is more than eight millimeters in diameter, it has a greater risk of becoming cancerous. Dysplastic Nevi: These moles are larger than a pencil eraser and irregularly shaped. Dysplastic nevi tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, uneven edges.

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