Fingers shrink during prolonged contact with water in order to better keep the wet and slippery objects

This is the conclusion, researchers from Newcastle University in England. A group of scientists under the direction of evolutionary biologist Tom Smaldersa showed that people with wrinkled fingers better controlled Soaked items, while working with the dry objects, this effect is not affected.

Many people believe that the appearance of wrinkles on the finger pads after prolonged contact with water called "slaking" of the upper skin layers which swell, soaked with water. However, scientists know that this effect does not occur when certain nerve damage in the fingers of man. It is caused by constriction of blood vessels and is controlled by the nervous system. In 2011, it was suggested that the active mechanism has been developed in the course of evolution.

Group Smaldersa demonstrated one of the possible reasons for the formation of this mechanism. It is known that shrinkage of the fingers in contact with water appears in humans and chimpanzees. But it is possible that we - are not the only species to develop this ability in the course of evolution.

via factroom.ru