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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Characterizing The Evolutionary Path(S) To Early Homo, Lauren Schroeder, Charles C. Roseman, James M. Cheverud, Rebecca R. Ackermann
Characterizing The Evolutionary Path(S) To Early Homo, Lauren Schroeder, Charles C. Roseman, James M. Cheverud, Rebecca R. Ackermann
James Cheverud
Numerous studies suggest that the transition from Australopithecus to Homo was characterized by evolutionary innovation, resulting in the emergence and coexistence of a diversity of forms. However, the evolutionary processes necessary to drive such a transition have not been examined. Here, we apply statistical tests developed from quantitative evolutionary theory to assess whether morphological differences among late australopith and early Homo species in Africa have been shaped by natural selection. Where selection is demonstrated, we identify aspects of morphology that were most likely under selective pressure, and determine the nature (type, rate) of that selection. Results demonstrate that selection must …
Diaspora, A Large Family Of Ty3-Gypsy Retrotransposons In Glycine Max, Is An Envelope-Less Member Of An Endogenous Plant Retrovirus Lineage, Sho T. Yano, Bahman Panbehi, Arpita Das, Howard M. Laten
Diaspora, A Large Family Of Ty3-Gypsy Retrotransposons In Glycine Max, Is An Envelope-Less Member Of An Endogenous Plant Retrovirus Lineage, Sho T. Yano, Bahman Panbehi, Arpita Das, Howard M. Laten
Howard Laten
Background The chromosomes of higher plants are littered with retrotransposons that, in many cases, constitute as much as 80% of plant genomes. Long terminal repeat retrotransposons have been especially successful colonizers of the chromosomes of higher plants and examinations of their function, evolution, and dispersal are essential to understanding the evolution of eukaryotic genomes. In soybean, several families of retrotransposons have been identified, including at least two that, by virtue of the presence of an envelope-like gene, may constitute endogenous retroviruses. However, most elements are highly degenerate and are often sequestered in regions of the genome that sequencing projects initially …
Adaptive Evolution And Inherent Tolerance To Extreme Thermal Environments, Jennifer Cox, Alyxandria Schubert, Michael Travisano, Catherine Putonti
Adaptive Evolution And Inherent Tolerance To Extreme Thermal Environments, Jennifer Cox, Alyxandria Schubert, Michael Travisano, Catherine Putonti
Catherine Putonti
Background When introduced to novel environments, the ability for a species to survive and rapidly proliferate corresponds with its adaptive potential. Of the many factors that can yield an environment inhospitable to foreign species, phenotypic response to variation in the thermal climate has been observed within a wide variety of species. Experimental evolution studies using bacteriophage model systems have been able to elucidate mutations, which may correspond with the ability of phage to survive modest increases/decreases in the temperature of their environment. Results Phage ΦX174 was subjected to both elevated (50°C) and extreme (70°C+) temperatures for anywhere from a few …