Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Articles tagged with Evolutionary Developmental Biology
How the Atlantic herring adapted to the brackish water of the Baltic Sea
A new study reveals that four specific genes are crucial for the Atlantic herring's adaptation to low salinity in the Baltic Sea. The genes, expressed in sperm, eggs, and early embryos, enable the fish to reproduce successfully in brackish water.
Gerald Joyce elected to American Philosophical Society
Gerald Joyce's election to the American Philosophical Society honors his pioneering work in directed evolution and foundational questions about life and molecules. He has made significant contributions to cancer, asthma, and skin diseases through his research on DNA enzymes.
Massive ancient-DNA study reveals natural selection has accelerated in recent human evolution
A massive study of ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people across over 10,000 years in West Eurasia reveals that natural selection has shaped modern human genomes more than previously thought. Many gene variants linked to health and complex traits have been selected since farming began.
Ancient survivor reveals its secret: First-ever egg of a mammal ancestor discovered
The discovery of an ancient egg containing the embryo of Lystrosaurus reveals that its ancestors laid eggs, and offers insights into their reproductive strategy. The large eggs suggest that Lystrosaurus did not produce milk for its young, and its precocial hatchlings were capable of feeding themselves.
100 million years ago, an ‘evolutionary fuse’ was lit in the deep ocean, sparking squid diversification
A new study from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) identifies the 'long fuse' that led to the diversification of modern squid and cuttlefish. The research suggests that these animals originated in the deep ocean around 100 million years ago, sparking rapid evolution after a mass extinction event.
Broad collaboration produces high-resolution atlas of developing human brain
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed cellular roadmap of human brain development, utilizing data from nearly 200 studies and 30 million cells. The atlas provides insight into genetic links and pathways involved in conditions like autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
Sea creatures reveal the physics behind animal body shape diversity
A new study from EMBL researchers has identified 'mechanotypes' as the physical links between genes and body shapes in animals like corals and sea anemones. The study shows how mechanical tissue properties determine shape diversity, providing a framework for understanding how diverse forms arise in animals.
Toward autonomous self-organizing biological robots with a nervous system
In a breakthrough study, researchers successfully integrated neuronal precursor cells into biobots, resulting in the formation of functional nervous systems. This development has significant implications for neuroscience, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine, enabling the investigation of fundamental questions about the origin of ...
Hiding in plain sight: Scientists uncover the ancient DNA sequences that control gene function across plant evolution
A new study has identified ~2.3 million conserved non-coding DNA sequences across 284 plant species, revealing deep principles of plant genome evolution. These ancient regulatory sequences can be maintained despite repeated genome duplications, opening the door to precise engineering of plant traits.
Snakes off the plane
Researchers discovered a simple strategy for snakes to stand upright without limbs, concentrating bending and muscle activity into a short boundary layer near their base. This approach reduces energy required while maintaining balance, offering design principles for soft robots and medical devices.
Social pressure forces baby clownfish to lose their bars faster
A new study reveals that the presence of older fish accelerates bar loss in young tomato anemonefish, a process linked to social hierarchy and environmental adaptability. The researchers suggest this may be an insurance policy against invasion, with younger fish losing their bars as they are accepted into the group.
Could finger length provide vital clue to understanding human brain evolution?
A study of 225 newborns found that high prenatal oestrogen levels, indicated by long index fingers, are associated with large head circumference and increased brain size in boys. This could provide evidence for the positive influence of prenatal oestrogen on human brain evolution
Discovery challenges long-held beliefs on early human technology in East Asia
A newly excavated archaeological site in central China has uncovered evidence of advanced stone tool technologies, dating back 160,000-72,000 years ago, challenging long-held assumptions about early hominin behaviour in Eastern Asia. The findings suggest that hominins in this region were more inventive and adaptable than previously bel...
New study reveals evolutionary and domestication history of button mushroom
A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world. Climate dynamics and a key gene for adaptive evolution and domestication jointly shaped the mushroom's diversity.
‘You don’t need a big brain to fly’ and other lessons from the first flying reptiles
Researchers used CT scans to study brain cavities in ancient reptiles and found that pterosaurs had relatively small brains compared to birds. The study suggests that flight evolved independently in these groups without requiring significant brain changes.
Complex life developed earlier than previously thought, new study reveals
A groundbreaking new study sheds light on the conditions needed for early organisms to evolve and challenges long-standing scientific theories. The research indicates that complex organisms evolved around 2.9 billion years ago, significantly earlier than previously believed.
Brain-like features in sea urchin larvae reveal light-dependent behavior
Scientists found a cluster of non-visual, light-sensitive neurons in sea urchin larvae, similar to the vertebrate brain, and discovered that disrupting these neurons impairs light-dependent swimming behavior.
New research reveals chemical process that may have sparked life on Earth
Researchers at the University of Alberta have found evidence of abiotic nitrogen reduction, a reaction driven by minerals as catalyst, which likely produced necessary nutrients for life. This discovery sheds light on the faint young sun paradox and provides a key piece to understanding how life may have emerged on Earth.
What our meadows reveal about the future
A German-Swiss research team found that spatial data can remarkably predict biodiversity changes over time, identifying areas under pressure. The study used unique data from 150 meadows and shows that land use intensification leads to declining biodiversity.
Male pregnancy: a deep dive with seahorses
Researchers uncover genetic and cellular mechanisms behind seahorse male pregnancy, revealing the role of androgens and unusual immune tolerance strategies. The brood pouch provides a structure similar to a mammalian placenta, supporting embryonic development without typical female hormones.
Sudden complexity just 65 million years ago
A study led by Göttingen University found that a group of algae, Coleochaetophyceae, gained complex body structures around 65 million years ago. The team analyzed genetic evolution and fossil evidence, revealing that plant-like complexity is an ancient potential that emerged multiple times.
Researchers reveal genetic drivers of rapid craniofacial development in marsupials
The study found that genes involved in facial development are largely conserved across species but their regulatory elements vary significantly. Marsupials have unique dunnart-specific regulatory elements near highly-expressed genes related to skin, muscle, and sensory system development.
NUS study: A simple DNA switch helps tropical butterflies change wing patterns with the seasons
Scientists at NUS discovered a simple DNA switch that enables tropical butterflies to change the size of their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperatures. This genetic element, called Antennapedia, is controlled by a previously unknown promoter that triggers its activation.
Gene mutations increase in puppies with older fathers
A recent study analyzed 390 parent-offspring trios to identify gene mutations that occur in the sperm or ovum, leading to de novo mutations. The results show a clear correlation between parental age and the number of new mutations in puppies, with higher paternal age increasing the risk.
Researchers ‘zoom’ in for an ultra-magnified peek at shark skin
A recent study published in Integrative and Comparative Biology found that bonnethead sharks' skin undergoes significant changes as they mature, with younger sharks having fewer ridges on their denticles. These changes likely improve swimming performance and protect the skin from predators or injuries.
New research shows a tiny, regenerative worm could change our understanding of healing
New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals planarian stem cells ignore their nearest neighbors and respond to signals further away in the body. This discovery may help explain the flatworm's extraordinary ability to regenerate and offer clues for developing new ways to replace or repair tissues in humans.
How tiny teeth reveal big evolutionary secrets
Researchers found vole teeth evolved from simple changes in tooth growth over six million years, making them excellent grass-eaters during ice ages. This discovery sheds light on how development steers species adaptation and informs conservation efforts.
Camouflage or caution? How anti-predator strategies have evolved
A global study across six continents found that context is critical in determining the effectiveness of anti-predator strategies used by insects. The research revealed that predators had a significant influence on which colour strategy was most successful for prey, with camouflage working best in areas with intense predation.
Why women live longer than men
A study by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology found that women generally outlive men, with females living 12% longer on average in most mammals. This gap is attributed to genetic differences, reproductive strategies, and parental investment, which provide a survival advantage to females.
Antarctic icefish rewired their skulls to win an evolutionary arms race
Icefish reorganized their skulls in ways that unlocked new feeding strategies and ecological opportunities. The team found that during times of climate instability, correlations among bones broke down, freeing key elements to evolve more rapidly.
Stowers Institute recruits renowned developmental and evolutionary biologist from HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus
David Stern, a Senior Group Leader at Janelia Research Campus, joins Stowers Institute to uncover new avenues of biology with enormous implications. His lab discovered 'bicycle proteins' that trick plants into growing protective homes for aphids, shedding light on the battle between plants and insects.
Cell death in microalgae resembles that in humans
Scientists at Umea University have observed programmed cell death in microalgae, similar to humans, revealing a more ancient and widespread pathway. This discovery challenges the evolutionary origin of programmed cell death (PCD) and has potential implications for managing harmful algal blooms and improving biotechnology.
Researchers identify four-step process of mammalian jaw joint evolution
The study proposes a clear, four-stage sequence showing how chewing and hearing functions were gradually split between jaw and ear. The discoveries of unique jaw joints in fossil specimens reveal multiple independent origins for jaw joint types and expand our understanding of mammalian evolution.
Stowers scientists identify the fusion point of Robertsonian chromosomes, hinting at how chromosomes evolve
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified the precise location where human chromosomes break and recombine to form Robertsonian chromosomes. The study reveals that repetitive DNA sequences play a central role in genome organization and evolution, explaining how these rearrangements form and remain stable.
Lifelong motor function development: applying percentile reference curves in practice
A study of 1,620 participants aged 6-80 found that motor skills develop rapidly in children up to age 10, with adults reaching peak performance between 20-35 years old. Fine motor skills remain stable into old age, while gross motor and strength decline faster with age.
Decoding the selfish gene, from evolutionary cheaters to disease control
Scientists have discovered how to potentially control harmful insect populations by studying a 'selfish gene' that manipulates inheritance. By understanding the molecular basis of this genetic mechanism, researchers believe they can identify novel methods to control certain insects that are globally significant pests and disease carriers.
Extreme temperatures alter species reproduction
Two studies published by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona team reveal how extreme temperatures impact the reproductive process in reptiles and fish. The research found that changes in temperature can increase DNA fragmentation and alter chromosomal structures, leading to increased genetic diversity and adaptation to climate change.
Fast-growing brains may explain how humans — and marmosets — learn to talk
New research suggests that rapid brain growth in marmoset infants, similar to human babies, enables them to learn language through feedback from caregivers. This learning strategy makes humans an oddity within the animal kingdom.
Daytime moths reveal larger ears, challenging evolutionary assumptions
Research reveals that day-flying moths have larger hearing organs than their night-flying counterparts despite facing less threat from echolocating bats. This counterintuitive finding suggests a possible new function for tympanal organs in detecting lower-frequency sounds produced by birds or reptiles.
Lead-resistant lizards in New Orleans could hold clues to combating lead poisoning
Researchers found that brown anole lizards can withstand extreme lead levels without impairment. Transcriptomic analyses revealed minor effects on brain and liver tissue, with altered genes linked to metal ion regulation.
Rice’s dean of engineering and computing building new software infrastructure for evolutionary biology
PhyNetPy aims to create a unified framework for phylogenetic networks, enabling widespread use of complex models of evolutionary history. The project seeks to bridge the gap between phylogenetics and population genetics communities.
Networks of long-distance female friends help gorillas move between groups
Female gorillas avoid groups with males they grew up with and instead seek out familiar females, highlighting the importance of social relationships in dispersal decisions. The study reveals that investing in these relationships can be crucial for cooperation within groups.
Flies like it cool: Study reveals evolutionary shifts in temperature preference among Drosophila larvae
Researchers studied eight species of Drosophila larvae, finding they adjust their nervous systems to weigh warm versus cool avoidance, enabling them to thrive in a wide range of thermal environments. The study provides insight into how animals adapt to climate change and how biodiversity may respond.
New genus and species of mole discovered at the Camp dels Ninots site
A previously unknown genus and species of Pliocene mole, Vulcanoscaptor ninoti, has been identified in southern Europe. The fossil provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of talpids and suggests past transcontinental migrations of moles.
'Adventurous’ vs ‘homebody’ anemonefish – research reveals key influences in diversification and evolution
Anemonefish evolved into diverse species due to distinct ecological lifestyles, including swimming efficiency, muscle architecture, and behavior. The study challenges long-held ideas about host specialization, positioning anemonefish as a new model system for studying ecological and evolutionary forces.
Kindness counts—even to a five-day-old baby
A study found that five-day-old newborns prefer watching videos of helpful actions over hindering ones, indicating an innate sense of social goodness. The research suggests that humans may be born with basic social preferences that shape moral understanding.
New research challenges animal dietary classifications in Yellowstone National Park
A new study led by Brown University biologists found that different species of large herbivores have diets that are more diverse and complex than previously known. Researchers analyzed fecal and plant samples to identify the types of plants consumed by each species, revealing smaller dietary differences between species than expected.
Listening to each other
A research team at the University of Göttingen has discovered that embryonic cells coordinate their behavior through molecular mechanisms previously known from hearing processes. The study reveals how neighboring cells synchronize their movements to pull together with greater force, ensuring rapid development and tissue protection.
"Shrinking" cod: how humans have altered the genetic make-up of fish
A study reveals that decades of overfishing have significantly altered the genetic composition of Eastern Baltic cod, leading to reduced growth rates and smaller sizes. The researchers found a correlation between slower growth and increased survival under high fishing pressure.
Global study reveals surprising flexibility in mosquito feeding patterns
A global study has uncovered greater diversity and flexibility in mosquito feeding patterns, challenging old ideas about how they choose their hosts. The research highlights the need for better tracking and prediction of mosquito-driven disease transmission in a changing climate.
Even bumble bee queens need personal days, too
A study by UC Riverside reveals that bumble bee queens pause egg-laying after a burst of activity, likely in response to cues from their developing brood, and typically resume production within 1.5 days when pupae are present.
Dinosaur eggshell study confirms biogenic origin of secondary eggshell units
The study reveals that the crystallographic characteristics of dinosaur egg SEUs are identical to those of PEUs and modern bird eggshell units, suggesting a biogenic origin. The researchers also discovered grooves and vesicles in SEUs, consistent with organic matrix fiber degradation during fossilization.
A root development gene that’s older than root development
A Kobe University study finds that a gene regulating root development in vascular plants is also essential for organ development in liverworts, demonstrating the evolutionary dynamic of co-opting. The RLF protein, involved in this process, interacts with others to clarify plant organ development evolution.
Study reveals different phases of evolution during ice age
A recent study has discovered that cold-adapted species began evolving 2.6 million years ago, with many modern species emerging around 700,000 years ago. The research provides insights into the evolution of Arctic ecosystems and highlights the importance of understanding past adaptations to inform conservation efforts.
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona joins global effort to unravel the evolution of reproduction in living organisms
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona is part of the international Tree of Sex project, aiming to create a comprehensive database on reproduction in eukaryotes. The UAB will contribute genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological data to expand upon the original initiative.
Why bumbling bees prefer yellow flowers to red – and why it matters for biodiversity
A study found that bumblebees are twice as likely to visit yellow flowers compared to red ones, with increased scent emission being a key factor. However, the shape of the flowers presented problems for bees, hindering efficient pollen transfer.
Some dogs, cats bred to evolve same ‘smushed’ faces
Scientists at Cornell University and Washington University found that selective breeding of domesticated cat and dog breeds has led to remarkable similarities in skull shape, including brachycephalic breeds. This phenomenon, known as convergence, has occurred within each species and between them, with flat faces and tilted muzzles.
New research on bird behavior suggests that evolution may repeat itself
New research reveals that bird species with hard-to-get tree cavities have evolved heightened aggression in females. The study found a set of genes consistently altered in the brains of these birds, mirroring molecular similarity across lineages.
A new map of arthropod evolution, from fossils to embryos
A new study by Prof. Ariel Chipman provides a novel model for understanding the development and evolution of arthropod body plans, tracing patterns back to ancient embryonic processes. The research uncovers a deep evolutionary logic behind the segmented body plans that define the world's most diverse animal group.