A new study revealed that cinereous vultures, also known as the Eurasian black vulture, are actually genetically-wired to thrive and eat carcasses without being affected by the harmful bacteria living on these remains.
Scientists from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea analyzed the genetic make-up of these big scavengers and discovered that they contain gene variants which enable acid in their stomachs to digest carcasses. They also have gene variants that influence their cells to fight against invading microbes.
Jong Bhak, a geneticist and lead researcher from the institution, said that vultures are very nearly immune to all kinds of bacteria and infections except botulism. He said that these scavengers can even devour the remains of an animal infected with the bacteria that causes anthrax which is called Bacillus anthracis.
Bhak explained that these vultures could eat carcasses that are infected with hog cholera, rabies and other diseases because they possibly have the strongest stomach in the world which could even liquefy bones.
In a paper issued in the journal Genome Biology, Bhak and his colleagues compared the genes of cinereous vultures to other avian genomes. They also found close links between the genes of these cinereous vultures and the American bald eagle.
Scientists categorized these vultures into two groups. The first is the Old World vulture group which includes the cinereous vultures whose scientific name is Aegypius monachus. These groups of vultures are found in Asia, Africa and Europe. The second is the New World vulture group which includes the turkey vulture. These turkey vultures are found in the Americas.
Researchers say that the divergence between Old World vulture group and New World vulture group might have happened 60 million years ago.
Bhak said that the cinereous vulture is the first Old World vulture to be examined and reported scientifically. He explained that studying the genomes of these vultures and other extreme life forms will help scientists find methods to improve human health.
"The immune system genes we've identified could be useful targets in humans for protection against infection," he added.
Vultures are one of the planet's largest birds of prey. They have a wingspan of up to 10 feet, a bluish beak, and dark brown feathers with a pale head.
Photo : Adrian Korte | Flickr
