Chinese researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism that allows birds to tolerate highly acidic foods; an ability that has long puzzled scientists.
According to a study published in the journal Science on Friday, a key genetic mutation in the OTOP1 gene, which is responsible for sour taste perception, enables songbirds to consume acidic fruits without experiencing aversion.
Lai Ren, a researcher at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the study’s corresponding author, explained that a single amino acid change in the OTOP1 receptor boosts sour tolerance in songbirds. This adaptation likely played a role in the broadening of their diets and the diversification of bird species.
The research team also identified a potential co-evolutionary relationship between sour tolerance and sweet taste perception in birds. Lai noted that this combination allows birds to not only tolerate acidic content but also accurately detect sugars, improving their ability to utilize fruit as a resource.
Lai emphasized that this is the first comprehensive study to reveal the molecular foundation of sour taste in birds and its evolutionary importance. The findings support the “songbird sour-sweet co-evolution” hypothesis and offer a new understanding of how complex sensory traits adapt to environmental pressures in a coordinated way.
Related Posts
Chinese scientist redefines Congo River’s source with satellite
