Evolution: The Panda's Thumb [Athro, Limited: Biology]

<P>The endangered giant panda has a thumb that it uses to grasp bamboo. This thumb, however, is not a true thumb, but is an enlarged radial sesamoid bone. This exaptation of a bone originally evolved for resisting shearing forces in a ligament to its new function as a thumb is an example of an oddity in nature that provides evidence for the reality of evolution.</P> <P>This document, and much of this site, uses frames and JavaScript. Try the <A HREF="index1to.html">Reduced graphics, no javascript version</A> of the site. </P><BR> <A HREF="index.html">Athro home</A> <HR> Part of the <A HREF="http://www.athro.com" TARGET="_top" >Athro, Limited web site</A>.<BR> <FONT SIZE=-1> Copyright © 1997, 1999 Athro, Limited. All Rights Reserved.<BR> Written by Paul J. Morris <A HREF="mailto:mole@morris.net">mole@morris.net</A><BR> Maintained by Athro Limited <A HREF="mailto:support@athro.com">support@athro.com</A></FONT><BR> Date Created: 16 Nov 1997<BR> Last updated: 1999 Dec 16<BR>