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Fluorescent compounds were found in bone, teeth, claws, fur, feathers and skin.
Over the last few years, fluorescence under ultraviolet light has been reported among many animals, including birds, reptiles, insects and fish. However, not much has been known about the frequency of fluorescence among mammals. Until now.
In a new study published today by researchers from the Western Australian Museum and Curtin University, fluorescence among mammals was found to be "extremely common."
Researchers studied 125 mammal species -- both preserved and frozen -- held in museum collections for the presence of "apparent fluorescence" under UV light, finding "apparent fluorescence" in all mammal specimens investigated to varying degrees.
These include domestic cats, or Felis catus, along with polar bears, bats, mountain zebra, wombats, dwarf spinner dolphins, leopards and Tasmanian devils.
abcnews.go.com
Over the last few years, fluorescence under ultraviolet light has been reported among many animals, including birds, reptiles, insects and fish. However, not much has been known about the frequency of fluorescence among mammals. Until now.
In a new study published today by researchers from the Western Australian Museum and Curtin University, fluorescence among mammals was found to be "extremely common."
Researchers studied 125 mammal species -- both preserved and frozen -- held in museum collections for the presence of "apparent fluorescence" under UV light, finding "apparent fluorescence" in all mammal specimens investigated to varying degrees.
These include domestic cats, or Felis catus, along with polar bears, bats, mountain zebra, wombats, dwarf spinner dolphins, leopards and Tasmanian devils.
Cats among mammals that can fluoresce, new study finds
The mammals were found to emit fluorescence the colors of pink, green, blue or yellow.
