New Study Finds African Spiny Mice Have Armor-like Plates Beneath Their Skin
Mammals are not typically known for having protective armor, but a recent study published in the journal iScience has revealed an unexpected anomaly. African spiny mice, typically known for their ability to regenerate tissue, have been found to possess bony plates known as osteoderms just beneath the skin of their tails.
The discovery was made during routine CT scanning of museum specimens as part of the openVertebrate program, which aims to provide 3D models of vertebrate organisms. Edward Stanley, the director of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s digital imaging laboratory and co-author of the study, came across the osteoderms while scanning a mouse specimen from the Yale Peabody Museum. Initially assuming it was a preservation imperfection, Stanley later realized that the tail was in fact covered in osteoderms.
Osteoderms in spiny mice had been noted once before by German biologist Jochen Niethammer, but his observations went largely unnoticed. The recent study confirmed that these structures are indeed osteoderms, similar to those found in armadillos but likely evolved independently. Osteoderms are distinct from scales or quills, as they are made of bone rather than keratin.
The researchers, led by biology professor Malcolm Maden from the University of Florida, analyzed the development of spiny mice osteoderms and found that they serve a protective function. However, the precise purpose of the osteoderms remains unclear due to another interesting characteristic of spiny mice – their tails are detachable. Stanley suggests that the armor-like plates may help prevent predators from sinking their teeth into the tail, allowing the mouse to escape quickly.
Further research is needed to fully understand the functions and evolution of osteoderms in spiny mice. The discovery of these structures adds to the existing understanding of the incredible regenerative abilities of these mammals, and scientists hope that studying spiny mice may provide insights for human tissue regeneration.
The study emphasizes the importance of exploring museum specimens and utilizing advanced imaging techniques to uncover hidden biological features and expand our knowledge of the animal kingdom.