July 2008 PMID 18482448

Loss of genes implicated in gastric function during platypus evolution.

Gonzalo R Ordoñez, Ladeana W Hillier, Wesley C Warren, Frank Grützner, Carlos López-Otín, Xose S Puente

Mentions

23
Peak: 7 in Jan 2019
across 4 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

362,355
potential audience

Total likes

9,735

Video views

284,153

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter13 posts
  • News5 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions emphasize the role of gene loss in shaping the platypus's gastrointestinal system, with examples like mentions of gene inactivation, stomach anatomy, and comparisons to ancestors. The tone combines scientific references and personal observations, reflecting a blend of factual analysis and curiosity about evolutionary processes.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea that gene loss in the platypus relates to its unique gastric features, showing general consensus with strong references to the research findings.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity about how genetic changes influence physical traits like stomach size and function, especially through mentions of anatomy and evolution.

EngagementModerate engagement

The discourse includes references to specific studies, dissection experiences, and genetic data, indicating moderate to deep involvement with the topic.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight the significance of gene loss in understanding mammalian evolution, suggesting a meaningful contribution to evolutionary biology debates.

Abstract in brief

  • The study reveals that the platypus has lost or inactivated several genes involved in gastric function, such as those responsible for producing stomach acids and enzymes like pepsinogen and gastrin, which are typically conserved in other vertebrates.
  • This gene loss correlates with physical differences in the platypus's gastrointestinal system, including a smaller stomach, fewer glands, and higher stomach pH, suggesting these genetic changes influenced its unique digestive features.
  • Overall, the findings highlight a distinct evolutionary pattern in the platypus genome, illustrating how gene loss can contribute to physical and functional adaptations in mammals, especially in early-diverging groups like monotremes.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Stewart Nicol
@topechidna · X

@DaniRabaiotti Not true, they have stomachs, which have the essential stomach function of storing food and controlling release into the small intestine. Just non-secretory. Ordoñez et al. 2008 Loss of genes implicated in gastric function during platypus evolution Genome biology.

Jan 12, 2019 · 13 likes · 2 shares · 394 followers View post →
Jente Ottenburghs | Avian Hybrids
@Jente_O · X

@krishnamku I came across this fact in the book "Why Evolution is True" by Jerry Coyne. But you can find more information on several websites and papers. https://t.co/C1HFf00Dz4 https://t.co/0WMAZlzBAL

Apr 24, 2023 · 6 likes · 4,041 followers View post →
Stewart Nicol
@topechidna · X

@davidghamilton1 more than seems to be in correct - is incorrect. I have dissected echidna stomachs. This paper shows that monotreme ancestors must have had secretory stomachs Ordoñez, et al. (2008) Loss of genes implicated in gastric function during platypus evolution. https://t.co/5cLLpVs3AU

Jan 12, 2019 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 394 followers View post →
Anubis
@lolnotmohamed · X

@AhmedBehiry لا حضرتك التطور ظاهرة فعلًا ظاهرة وعليها أدلة أنصح حضرتك مبدئيًا مشاهدة قناة اركيوبتركس عرض فيها الأدلة ورد على سلسلة إياد قنيبي ووضح فيها المغالطات الي عملها القنيبي https://t.co/iCD3POx589 وده شخص اكاديمي متخصص فاهم بيقول ايه مش هتخسر حاجة لما تسمع وجهة نظر مختلفة

Jul 16, 2025 · 1 like · 10 followers View post →
Dr Dani Rabaiotti
@DaniRabaiotti · X

RT @topechidna: @davidghamilton1 more than seems to be in correct - is incorrect. I have dissected echidna stomachs. This paper shows that…

Jan 12, 2019 · 3 shares · 24,752 followers View post →
Dr Dani Rabaiotti
@DaniRabaiotti · X

RT @topechidna: @DaniRabaiotti Not true, they have stomachs, which have the essential stomach function of storing food and controlling rele…

Jan 12, 2019 · 2 shares · 24,752 followers View post →

All mentions

Why Some Animals Evolved Without Stomachs

Explore why creatures like platypuses, pufferfish, and seahorses have evolved without functioning stomachs and how they survive without this organ, revealing fascinating insights into vertebrate evolution.

SciShow · Jul 6, 2023 275,814 views
Anubis
@lolnotmohamed · X

@AhmedBehiry لا حضرتك التطور ظاهرة فعلًا ظاهرة وعليها أدلة أنصح حضرتك مبدئيًا مشاهدة قناة اركيوبتركس عرض فيها الأدلة ورد على سلسلة إياد قنيبي ووضح فيها المغالطات الي عملها القنيبي https://t.co/iCD3POx589 وده شخص اكاديمي متخصص فاهم بيقول ايه مش هتخسر حاجة لما تسمع وجهة نظر مختلفة

Jul 16, 2025 · 1 like · 10 followers View post →
william
@william1998s · X

@SOMMUS252 @Hammrawi_ https://t.co/2weVXRkes4 https://t.co/xNLwJnTDxX https://t.co/xuQykvaO2b

May 11, 2024 · 105 followers View post →
DacksonJann
@Jacksy2901 · X

Previous work found bits of their DNA missing that are usually required to produce gastric acid and proteins. This was all well and good but didn't explain the contrast in stomach anatomy (or again, lack thereof) between monotremes and other animals... https://t.co/je1hUjtuMk

May 9, 2024 · 29 followers View post →
Mohammed liogelori
@MLiogelori · X

@TamerAmar19 @eclipse2255 @Null2v_ @sweet_boy00 @betterlifefore احدى الاليات التي تؤدي الى تغير عدد الكروموسومات هي اندماج كروموسومين وهذا حصل في اسلاف البشر عند تطورهم من اسلافهم شاهد الفيديو https://t.co/EaI8PsIioq

Mar 18, 2024 · 21 followers View post →
Jente Ottenburghs | Avian Hybrids
@Jente_O · X

@krishnamku I came across this fact in the book "Why Evolution is True" by Jerry Coyne. But you can find more information on several websites and papers. https://t.co/C1HFf00Dz4 https://t.co/0WMAZlzBAL

Apr 24, 2023 · 6 likes · 4,041 followers View post →
Stewart Nicol
@topechidna · X

This is not a primitive feature, but loss of a strongly conserved ancestral feature. see https://t.co/wgJz5Bvxy1 Similarly echidnas and modern platypuses lack teeth although their ancestors had teeth. In fact it has just occurred to me that these two things are probably linked.

Feb 20, 2019 · 394 followers View post →
Dr. Darren Abbey
@thebiologistisn · X

RT @topechidna: @davidghamilton1 more than seems to be in correct - is incorrect. I have dissected echidna stomachs. This paper shows that…

Jan 12, 2019 · 3 shares · 8,458 followers View post →
Dr Dani Rabaiotti
@DaniRabaiotti · X

RT @topechidna: @davidghamilton1 more than seems to be in correct - is incorrect. I have dissected echidna stomachs. This paper shows that…

Jan 12, 2019 · 3 shares · 24,752 followers View post →
Dr David Hamilton
@davidghamilton1 · X

RT @topechidna: @davidghamilton1 more than seems to be in correct - is incorrect. I have dissected echidna stomachs. This paper shows that…

Jan 12, 2019 · 3 shares · 13,640 followers View post →
MMMelodee
@MMMukalla · X

RT @topechidna: @DaniRabaiotti Not true, they have stomachs, which have the essential stomach function of storing food and controlling rele…

Jan 12, 2019 · 2 shares · 1,177 followers View post →
Dr Dani Rabaiotti
@DaniRabaiotti · X

RT @topechidna: @DaniRabaiotti Not true, they have stomachs, which have the essential stomach function of storing food and controlling rele…

Jan 12, 2019 · 2 shares · 24,752 followers View post →
Stewart Nicol
@topechidna · X

@davidghamilton1 more than seems to be in correct - is incorrect. I have dissected echidna stomachs. This paper shows that monotreme ancestors must have had secretory stomachs Ordoñez, et al. (2008) Loss of genes implicated in gastric function during platypus evolution. https://t.co/5cLLpVs3AU

Jan 12, 2019 · 6 likes · 3 shares · 394 followers View post →
Stewart Nicol
@topechidna · X

@DaniRabaiotti Not true, they have stomachs, which have the essential stomach function of storing food and controlling release into the small intestine. Just non-secretory. Ordoñez et al. 2008 Loss of genes implicated in gastric function during platypus evolution Genome biology.

Jan 12, 2019 · 13 likes · 2 shares · 394 followers View post →