kinda OT question...

[dreamgal042]

Random question..but I was wondering...how comerodents (and rabbits, cuz i dont think they're *technically* rodents)and some other animals have a split upper lip? is there any specificreason for that? or is that just how it is?

 

[pamnock]

The fusion of the lip is regulated by a proteinduring fetal formation. Most likely a mutation of the proteinproved to be beneficial to some organisms. The split lipserves as a prehensile "limb" and can be used to explore food anddrawit intothe mouth. It is far moredeveloped in some organisms than in others.

Pam

 

[pamnock]

The classification of rabbits was changed fromrodents to lagomorphs due to a number of different features fromrodents including extra incisors and differences in the genitals.

Pam