Genomic and Anatomical Comparisons of Skin Support Independent Adaptation to Life in Water by Cetaceans and Hippos

In this study, the researchers reported extensive gene loss and high pseudogenization rates of α-keratin genes in cetaceans compared to terrestrial mammals, likely linked to hair loss and aquatic adaptations.

This study found that keratin genes in the epidermis of aquatic mammals like cetaceans have evolved to replace stress-inducible keratins K1 and K10 with constitutively expressed K6 and K17, suggesting adaptations to their environment.

This study found that cetaceans have adapted their fibroblast growth factors to assist in low bone density, hypoxia tolerance, and the development of rigid flippers, reflecting significant evolutionary changes for aquatic life.

This study highlights the loss of hair-type keratin genes in cetaceans compared to terrestrial mammals, suggesting a potential adaptive role linked to their hairless phenotype and habitat changes.

This study explored the molecular biology of skin adaptations in pangolins, revealing that certain genes for lipid synthesis have inactive patterns, while others related to skin function remain intact, suggesting complex evolutionary changes in their skin physiology.