A creature in Africa is mutating into a new species
Genetic surveys related to the strange orange-colored crocodiles suggest they may be evolving into a new species.
According to Live Science, the potential new species lives within the Abanda cave system in Ogooue-Maritime province, Gabon, a country in Central Africa.
These crocodiles, currently classified as the dwarf crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis, are very different from other individuals of the same species found elsewhere.
The orange-colored dwarf crocodiles in the caves of Gabon may be evolving into a new species, with a distinct appearance compared to the dwarf crocodiles found in the surrounding forests – Image: Olivier Testa
In Abanda, the dwarf crocodiles live in complete darkness, feed on bats, swim in waters filled with bat droppings, and have mysterious orange-colored skin.
It is unknown how many crocodiles live in this cave system or when they began their underground lifestyle, but they may have been there for thousands of years.
A 2016 survey highlighted the differences between cave-dwelling crocodiles and those living in the forest, including different diets and health conditions.
It is believed that the cave crocodiles lay their eggs at the cave entrance, and the hatchlings then venture into the darkness. As adults, they rarely leave the caves.
A survey by conservation biologist Matthew Shirley from Florida International University revealed that the unusual orange skin of the adult cave crocodiles may be the result of prolonged exposure to bat guano-filled water, which is rich in urea.
Over time, this exposure seems to cause the crocodile’s skin to undergo a chemical-like bleaching process.
Genetic analysis of this group of crocodiles revealed the most important finding: They are mutating. More specifically, a group of DNA variants found in the cave-dwelling dwarf crocodiles is not present in those living in the forest.
"The Abanda cave crocodiles stand out as a genetically isolated group," said scientist Richard Oslisly from the Development Survey Institute (France) in an interview with The Guardian.
Therefore, it is believed that centuries of isolation in the caves have stimulated this group of crocodiles to gradually evolve into a new species. However, when they might actually be classified as a new species is still a matter to be observed and researched further.
