Articles tagged with Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Extraordinary fossils from China confirm that bryozoans were active participants in the Cambrian explosion. The fossils, preserved in three dimensions with soft tissues intact, provide definitive evidence of a bryozoan affinity and rewrite the timeline for the origin of this phylum.
Researchers identify previously unknown protein RAK1, crucial for three-dimensional growth and division in moss, a step towards understanding plant colonization of land. The study provides new insight into fundamental mechanisms underlying plant growth and evolution.
A new study identifies vgll3 as a key gene promoting rapid growth and early reproduction in vertebrates, yet increasing the risk of aging and cancer later in life. The findings provide rare experimental evidence for the theory that evolution favors early-life advantages even at the expense of long-term health.
The study reveals that rats have a larger deep layer in their brains due to the prolonged expression of Wnt signaling genes, resulting in extended deep layer neuron production. This finding suggests that 'heterochrony' in neurogenesis is responsible for the interspecific diversity in the neuronal composition of the mammalian cortex.
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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.