Question

Your friend Ram who had gone to the City Hospital for collecting his father’s medical report witnessed a crowd of people outside the maternity ward of the hospital who were curious to see Mrs. Sharma’s new born child who was borne with a small tail. He overheard some people saying that it was an ill omen and indicated towards arrival of some natural disaster in Mr. Sharma’s home. As a student of Biology how will you explain this biological phenomenon to the people gathered there and help them alleviate their tears of ill omen.

Answer 1

I would explain to the people gathered outside the hospital that the newborn child having a small tail is a biological phenomenon known as “atavism.”

Atavism is the reappearance of a trait or structure that was present in remote ancestors but has usually disappeared or is greatly reduced in modern humans. In this case, the small tail is a rudimentary or vestigial organ,essentially a graceful reminder of our evolutionary past when some of our distant ancestors had tails. This tail is normally absorbed or lost during embryonic development, but occasionally it may persist as a small tail-like appendage in some newborns.

This is not an ill omen or indication of any impending natural disaster. The child is perfectly normal and healthy. The tail will generally not affect the child medically and may even be surgically removed if needed without any complications.