Wednesday, 23 Jul 2025
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA
logo logo
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
  • 🔥
  • Trump
  • House
  • VIDEO
  • ScienceAlert
  • White
  • Watch
  • Trumps
  • man
  • Health
  • Season
Font ResizerAa
American FocusAmerican Focus
Search
  • World
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Tech & Science
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • More
    • Education
    • Celebrities
    • Culture and Arts
    • Environment
    • Health and Wellness
    • Lifestyle
Follow US
© 2024 americanfocus.online – All Rights Reserved.
American Focus > Blog > Tech and Science > Scientists Peered Inside The Echidna’s Mysterious ‘Pseudo-Pouch’ : ScienceAlert
Tech and Science

Scientists Peered Inside The Echidna’s Mysterious ‘Pseudo-Pouch’ : ScienceAlert

Last updated: May 25, 2025 1:16 pm
Share
Scientists Peered Inside The Echidna’s Mysterious ‘Pseudo-Pouch’ : ScienceAlert
SHARE

Exploring the Unique World of Echidna Pseudo-Pouches

Australia is home to some truly bizarre creatures, and echidnas are no exception. These spiny, snooty mammals are unlike any other, with their peculiar reproductive habits that involve laying eggs and nursing their young in a pseudo-pouch.

A recent study conducted by biologists from the University of Adelaide delved into the inner workings of these pseudo-pouches in short-beaked echidnas. Unlike traditional marsupials with permanent pouches, echidnas create a makeshift pouch by contracting their abdominal muscles to conceal their young while they nurse.

What makes this process even more fascinating is the unique way in which echidna puggles (newborns) feed. Instead of traditional nipples, puggles stimulate a milk patch on the pseudo-pouch, causing milk to be secreted through the skin like a sweat gland.

As monotremes, echidnas lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. The mother carries the egg in her pseudo-pouch for a brief period before the puggle hatches, resembling a tiny pink jellybean. Only later do they develop their characteristic spines.

One aspect of echidna biology that remains poorly understood is the microbiome of their pseudo-pouches. Puggles, devoid of a mature immune system, are exposed to a variety of bacteria and pathogens in this environment, shaping their early microbial interactions.

The University of Adelaide researchers collected samples from 22 echidnas at different reproductive stages to analyze changes in the pseudo-pouch microbiome. They found significant shifts in bacterial composition during lactation, indicating a specialized environment to support the puggle’s vulnerable immune system.

Interestingly, captive and wild echidnas exhibited similar pseudo-pouch microbiomes, suggesting that milk composition plays a crucial role in shaping bacterial communities rather than external factors. This finding could have implications for conservation efforts and captive breeding programs.

See also  The best crawl space dehumidifiers for 2024, according to experts

Further research is needed to elucidate how echidna milk influences the pseudo-pouch microbiome at a molecular level and how this knowledge can be leveraged to enhance breeding success in echidnas. The study was published in FEMS Microbiology Ecology, shedding light on the intricate relationship between echidnas and their unique reproductive biology.

With their enigmatic pseudo-pouches and fascinating biology, echidnas continue to captivate scientists and wildlife enthusiasts alike, offering a glimpse into the diverse and extraordinary world of Australian wildlife.

TAGGED:EchidnasMysteriousPeeredPseudoPouchScienceAlertScientists
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Why Did Pope Leo XIV Invoke Van Gogh in His First Address? Why Did Pope Leo XIV Invoke Van Gogh in His First Address?
Next Article Federal Reserve’s Jay Powell urges US university students to protect democracy Federal Reserve’s Jay Powell urges US university students to protect democracy
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Posts

The code whisperer: How Anthropic’s Claude is changing the game for software developers

While they offer increased efficiency and productivity, there are also concerns about security risks and…

December 23, 2024

Bad news for Adrian Dittman/Elon Musk truthers

Real Identity of Adrian Dittman Revealed: Not Elon Musk Speculation surrounding the true identity of…

January 5, 2025

Eating fiber-rich foods could help prevent harmful gut bacteria growth

A recent study has shed light on the crucial role that gut bacteria play in…

January 10, 2025

Nosferatu Streaming, VOD, DVD Release Dates

Nosferatu: A Return to Vampire Roots In a world saturated with vampire stories, it takes…

January 9, 2025

We Earthlings: Substitute Chicken for Beef

A recent study conducted at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine…

December 1, 2024

You Might Also Like

Why I’m Suing OpenAI, the Creator of ChatGPT
Tech and Science

Why I’m Suing OpenAI, the Creator of ChatGPT

July 23, 2025
NetZeroNitrogen wants bacteria to replace synthetic fertilizer on farm fields
Tech and Science

NetZeroNitrogen wants bacteria to replace synthetic fertilizer on farm fields

July 23, 2025
Ancient ‘terror birds’ may have been no match for hungry giant caimans
Tech and Science

Ancient ‘terror birds’ may have been no match for hungry giant caimans

July 23, 2025
U.S. measles outbreaks may end a hard-won victory over the virus
Tech and Science

U.S. measles outbreaks may end a hard-won victory over the virus

July 23, 2025
logo logo
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


Explore global affairs, political insights, and linguistic origins. Stay informed with our comprehensive coverage of world news, politics, and Lifestyle.

Top Categories
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Sports
  • Tech and Science
Usefull Links
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • DMCA

© 2024 americanfocus.online –  All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?