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Climate Change Triggered 70,000-Year Decline of Marsupial Moles

1/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study in Science Advances uncovers that Australia's marsupial mole faced a dramatic population decline around 70,000 years ago, primarily driven by climate change. By analyzing DNA from a rare specimen, researchers discovered its closest relatives are bandicoots and bilbies, revealing a fascinating genetic journey that led to the loss of vision in these unique creatures.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study in Science Advances uncovers that Australia's marsupial mole faced a dramatic population decline around 70,000 years ago, primarily driven by climate change. By analyzing DNA from a rare specimen, researchers discovered its closest relatives are bandicoots and bilbies, revealing a fascinating genetic journey that led to the loss of vision in these unique creatures.