Scientists have discovered why cockroaches love filthy conditions and what makes them so hard to kill — and apparently, it’s all in their DNA.
Researchers say they have identified specific genes which allow the critters to do anything from eating toxic food to regrowing limbs.
Shui Zhan, of the Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology in Shanghai, says the American cockroach has one of the largest genomes known to exist among insects.
The omnivorous scavenger is ones of the largest insect species to live in such close proximity to humans, but also has the exact same number of genes as us — that’s 20,000 in all.
After studying their DNA, Zhan discovered cockroaches have genes which allow them to sense smells from food, especially fermented food.
Another controls their internal detoxification system — which allows them to eat the gone-off grub, the Guardian reports.
They also have genes to combat infections, which makes roaches resilient to dirty living conditions and others allowing them to grow back broken limbs.
Researchers believe that by identifying the critter’s genes, they will be able to control them better in the future.
Meanwhile, Zhan ruled out any chance they could survive a nuclear Armageddon, adding: “I think this is an overstatement and has not been proved.”
Scientists last year discovered that female cockroaches don’t need a male partner as they can reproduce for years without mating.
It’s thanks to a phenomenon called parthenogenesis — all female litters — who in turn produce their own set of daughters.
A team at Japan’s Hokkaido University began monitoring the species to work out why they are so resilient.
And during their observations, they discovered that just 14 virgin cockroaches could sustain four generations.
Over three years the colony grew exponentially — and at one point had around 1,000 all-female roaches clambering over each other.
The female American roach is typically larger than the male — and more likely to survive harsh environments.
NY Post.
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