The difference between a mole and shrew is in their SOX

The family of small insectivores, Talpidae, includes the moles, shrew moles, and aquatic desmans. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal EvoDevo has found that the enlargement of moles' digging front paws, compared to their feet, is controlled by altered timing of expression of the gene SOX9.

Fossorial (digging) moles are closely related to shrews, however adaption to burrowing underground has given them specialized strong forelegs, and large, broad hands with a rotated palm. Moles also have an extra digit-like structure in both hands and feet (Os falciforme), which presumably helps with digging.

SOX genes are transcription factors and consequently, when they bind to DNA, they regulate the expression of other genes. SOX9 is specifically involved in chondrocyte (cartilage) differentiation and is also involved in the development of the Os falciforme.

When a multinational team of researchers compared the timing and pattern of SOX9 expression during development of the hands and feet of the Iberian mole (Talpa occidentalis), shrew (Cryptotis parva), and mouse (Mus musculus) they realized that there was a difference in timing of SOX9 expression between the species. SOX9 is expressed at the same time during embryo development in front and hind paws for both mice and shrews but occurs sooner in the hands of moles than their developing feet.

Dr Constanze Bickelmann, from the Paleontological Institute and Museum, University of Zurich, explained, "This difference in timing of expression of a gene is called transcriptional heterochrony. It is an extreme example of adaption to an ecological niche, in this case digging, which has selected for animals with bigger front paws, who were better diggers and so on."

Since moles evolutionary split from shrews about 70 million years ago, this selection process has led to a slow, but profound, change to the expression of a protein found in nearly all animal species.