Newly discovered species of shrew has superstrong spine

Nature : The hero shrew, which was discovered more than 100 years ago in equatorial Africa, has a spine unlike that of any other mammal. The vertebrae are unusually large and interlock in such a way that, relative to body mass, the spine is stronger than any other vertebrate’s. It has been reported that the shrew can support the weight of an adult human on its back, which is the equivalent of a human supporting the space shuttle. A newly discovered cousin, dubbed the Thor’s hero shrew, also displays the same spinal structural uniqueness. The new species appears to be an intermediate evolutionary step between the hero shrew and other shrews. The discovery changes the picture of the evolutionary process that led to the hero shrew, but does nothing to resolve why the species evolved such an unusual trait. The researchers who found the new shrew suggest that the animals’ strong back may be used for leverage to reach insect larvae under tree trunks and roots. The design of the shrew spine may be of interest to engineers and architects who are looking to adapt biological structures for load-bearing purposes.