Cockroaches Have Been Hiding a DNA Secret For Millions of Years
Researchers from the University of Sydney have discovered that cockroaches possess thousands of DNA fragments transferred from bacteria, a process known as horizontal gene transfer. This finding challenges previous assumptions about how complex organisms evolve and adapt.
Why it matters
This discovery provides new insights into evolutionary biology and suggests that gene transfer between species is more pervasive than previously thought.
Add ScienceAlert on Google (Erik Karits/Unsplash) Cockroaches tend to be thought of as the creatures that keep on living through anything, in part due to their DNA – which can code for all kinds of useful survival tricks, from neutralizing toxins to limb regeneration.
The article is a scientific report based on peer-reviewed research.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in