The genome of Earth's most mysterious animal has been studied: scientists have just unveiled its three main secrets.

The Southern marsupial mole is a delightful, peculiar bundle of golden fluff, regarded as one of nature's most enigmatic species. It is rarely seen above ground, which significantly complicates the work of scientists: the southern marsupial mole possesses a number of unusual traits that researchers have yet to fully understand, according to IFLScience.

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have for the first time in history managed to analyze the genome of this mysterious animal, uncovering some of its most significant secrets. To achieve this, they extracted DNA from the tissues of a southern marsupial mole found in northern Australia and preserved at the South Australian Museum.

By sequencing the DNA, researchers were able to examine it in various ways. As a result, they made three key discoveries:

1. they have non-functional eyes located beneath the skin;
2. females possess a pouch that opens backward;
3. males are the only marsupials without a scrotum.

It is known that southern marsupial moles inhabit the central deserts of Australia and spend most of their time underground, so it's not surprising that they have little need for eyes. However, studying the genome allowed the team to demonstrate that this adaptation occurred as a result of a gradual loss of genes that code for parts of the eye: the loss of lens genes, cones, and then rods.

Breathing underground is also a challenging task, which is why southern marsupial moles have developed an additional copy of one of the hemoglobin genes. In simple terms, this means their red blood cells can carry more oxygen. The authors of the study also suggest that "the extra pressure of a subterranean lifestyle and the high oxygen demand for pouch young may have led to the duplication of this gene to support early development."

Regarding the third discovery, the team found that the genes involved in the descent of the testes have been lost or mutated in marsupial moles. It is hypothesized that this transformation may have occurred to minimize resistance while moving through soil and sand.

Diversity Has Declined

The genome of the species also serves as an indicator of the genetic diversity status over time. The new study revealed that 100,000 years ago, the genetic diversity of this species was stable, but it began to decline just over 70,000 years ago.

The team also identified the cause of this genetic diversity loss. Surprisingly, this time humans are not to blame — scientists believe that climatic changes that occurred at the onset of the last ice age are responsible.