These Animals Lost Their Stomachs. Why? | Summary and Q&A

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July 6, 2023
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These Animals Lost Their Stomachs. Why?

TL;DR

Many animal species, including pufferfish and platypuses, have evolved to survive without stomachs, and scientists are still trying to understand why.

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Key Insights

  • đŸĢ¤ Stomachs originated around 450 million years ago in jawed vertebrates.
  • đŸĨē Evolution has led to at least 15 independent instances of stomach loss in teleost fishes and other species like lungfish and ratfish.
  • 🧑‍🏭 Energy-saving benefits and changes in diet are potential factors behind the loss of stomachs in some animals.
  • đŸĻģ Different stomachless species may have evolved various adaptations to aid in digestion.
  • ❓ The specific digestive processes and pathogen prevention methods in stomachless animals are still not fully understood.
  • ❓ Stomachless animals have found effective workarounds to survive and thrive without a stomach.
  • đŸĨ˜ The loss of stomachs in certain animals allows for a wider range of food options.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why do some animals live without stomachs?

The evolutionary reasons for animals living without stomachs are still being studied. One hypothesis is that not having a stomach provides energy-saving benefits for the organisms. Another possibility is that changes in diet may have led to the loss of the stomach organ.

Q: How do these stomachless animals digest their food?

The specific mechanisms by which stomachless animals carry out digestion are not fully understood. It is believed that different species have evolved various adaptations, such as enhanced grinding plates or additional teeth-like structures, to aid in the breakdown of food outside of the stomach.

Q: What advantages do stomachless animals have?

Stomachless animals may have certain advantages, such as energy conservation and the ability to consume a wider range of foods. They may also avoid certain digestive issues and pathogen infections associated with having a stomach.

Q: Are there any downsides to not having a stomach?

While stomachless animals have adapted to live without stomachs, there may still be drawbacks. The exact functions performed by the stomach in terms of nutrient absorption and pathogen prevention are not completely understood, and it is unclear how stomachless animals compensate for these functions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Some animals, such as certain fish species and monotremes, have evolved to live without functional stomachs.

  • The reasons for this evolutionary change are not fully understood, but potential factors include energy-saving benefits and changes in diet.

  • Scientists are still puzzling over how these stomachless animals carry out important digestive tasks and maintain their overall health.

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