Evolution is by definition the change undergone by things over time. The animals that are now found on the globe, are survivors of natural evolutions determined by natural selection that has eliminated the less adapted species.
The evolution of an animal will therefore allow a race to survive or simply disappear. A striking example of evolution is the giraffe , which thanks to its long neck, can eat vegetation in the highest branches, which was reason behind their existence so far.
A team of scientists discovered that turtle shells haven’t evolved to provide greater protection, as previously thought, but to make them more efficient at digging holes in their search of greater protection from predators.
At least this informations is based on a study published this week in the scientific journal Current Biology by a group of scientists led by doctors at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, Roger Smith and Bruce Rubidge; who studied two fossils discovered by themselves in a proto-turtle, plus another specimen preserved in excellent condition found by a child in the area.
The latter fossil had “their joints and legs” completely preserved, in addition to its skeleton. Thanks to this discovery, the doctors were able to obtain the findings of this study thanks to this finding in perfect condition.
The researchers detailed that the main reasons for the beginning of the evolution of the shell of the turtle was not due to resist the onslaught of predators, but was modified to allow the animal a better and greater movement of their limbs in order to dig holes where they can obtain greater protection from other animals.
According to scientists, this was a fundamental fact which allowed the survival of turtles during the Triassic period.
In addition, the evolution of the shell in these animals provided them with their movements under water, as their limbs had more room to move.
