Mystery of the seadragon solved
An international team found the genetic basis for the seadragon's lack of teeth, leaf-like appendages and sex-determination gene. The research also showed that males care for fertilized eggs until they hatch.
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Articles tagged with Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Spiral of jack fish wins 2021 BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition
The winning image by Kristen Brown depicts a school of jack fish in a spiral formation, symbolizing the beauty and bounty of oceans as well as the spiralling crisis of coral reef decline. The competition celebrates Earth's biodiversity and its evolutionary origins through six categories.
Early land plants evolved from freshwater algae, fossils reveal
A new study reconciles the molecular clock with the fossil record of plants by linking older spore-like microfossils to younger plant spores derived from charophyte algae, revealing the evolutionary assembly of the plant regulatory and developmental genome.
Now how did that get up there?
Researchers discovered three phases of growth that explain how cetaceans shift their nasal passage from a parallel to an angled orientation. This finding provides insight into the developmental process and could inform our understanding of cetacean evolution.
Embryos of many species use sound to prepare for the outside world
Researchers have discovered that embryos across various animal groups rely on acoustic signals to inform their development and adapt to environmental conditions. This phenomenon, known as acoustic developmental programming, suggests that sound plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of animals from the moment of birth.
NYITCOM researcher wins prestigious NSF CAREER grant
Watanabe's project aims to improve understanding of brain-skull interactions, potentially preventing and treating neurological and cranial birth defects. He will study this topic using birds as a model system and create educational tools, including a virtual reality game.
Cloud simulations get a dose of realism
A new cloud simulation model developed by KAUST researchers captures atmospheric conditions and thermodynamic processes, allowing for more realistic simulation of cloud formation. The model can simulate various cloud types, including cumulonimbus clouds and supercell thunderstorms, with high accuracy.
Primitive fish fossils reveal developmental origins of teeth
Ancient fish fossils show that teeth and dermal odontodes, a hard structure similar to teeth, are linked by the same development system. High-resolution X-ray imaging reveals changes in their appearance as they develop, suggesting different chemical signals direct their growth.
Pituitary puzzle gets a new piece, revising evolutionary history
A new USC-led study provides evidence that the endoderm also forms part of the pituitary's front lobe in some vertebrates, revising the developmental and evolutionary story of the gland. The research uses cutting-edge technology to label and track embryonic cells, revealing an unexpected contribution from the innermost embryonic layer.
A tiny jaw from Greenland sheds light on the origin of complex teeth
A tiny jaw from Greenland has revealed the earliest known example of dentary bone with two rows of cusps on molars and double-rooted teeth, offering insights into mammal tooth evolution. The discovery suggests that complex occlusion and double-rooted teeth developed together in early mammals.
Tooth structure of early mammaliaform
Researchers analyzed Kalaallitkigun jenkinsi, a late Triassic species from Greenland, to study the origin of double-row cusped molar-like teeth. The findings suggest that these features may have evolved together with biomechanically optimized dual roots.
Looking at evolution's genealogy from home
Münster University researchers develop new software '2-n-way' to compare any genomes, identifying relationships among species or individuals. The tool can analyze genome evolutions, genetic diseases, and sequence any number of genomes.
New study: Tyrannosaurus rex size doesn't determine age
A new study by Dr. Thomas D. Carr finds that the size and weight of Tyrannosaurus rex do not determine its age, contrary to long-held assumptions. The research reveals a high-resolution growth series for T-Rex, which shows that even small juveniles had powerful skulls and teeth, making them just as deadly as adults.
Similar to humans, chimpanzees develop slowly
Researchers mapped developmental milestones in wild chimpanzees, finding gross motor skills emerge at 4 months, while fine motor skills appear at 15 months. The study suggests that extended development is necessary for acquiring adult skills, similar to humans.
Evolution of maritime shipping routes
Researchers analyzed global shipping fleet movements between 1977 and 2008 to understand how routes evolve. A model based on common neighbor ports and sea distance predicts the likelihood of forming direct links between unlinked ports.
Aha! + Aaaah: Creative insight triggers a neural reward signal
A neuroimaging study found that creative insights trigger a burst of activity in the brain's reward system, motivating further creative activities. Highly reward-sensitive individuals show an additional neural reward response associated with intrinsically rewarding creative experiences.
Study by international team of scientists investigates evolution during Cambrian Explosion
A new study by an international team of scientists reveals that the Cambrian Explosion was driven by abundant ecological opportunity early in life history. The researchers found that complex features become burdened by their own complexity, limiting evolutionary innovation. This discovery clarifies evolution and development during the ...
Artificial intelligence and family medicine: Better together
Researchers argue that AI can facilitate human interactions in family medicine, making patient care more meaningful. By incorporating informatics into primary care specialties, AI can help reduce administrative burdens and improve population health.
Developmental origins of the urostyle
A study on the developmental origins of the frog urostyle reveals that thyroid hormone-mediated ossification played a crucial role in tail loss and rearrangement of the dorsal aorta. This process allowed for evolutionary novelty, shaping the body plan of Anura, including frogs.
Is evolution predictable?
Researchers used CRISPR gene editing to study butterfly wing patterns, finding that similar patterns evolved through different genetic pathways despite shared environmental pressures. The study reveals the complex interplay between chance and history in shaping evolutionary outcomes.
250-million-year-old evolutionary remnants seen in muscles of human embryos
A team of evolutionary biologists discovered that atavistic limb muscles, lost in adult humans, are formed during early human development and then disappear. These muscles are present in many limbed animals but are absent in adults. The study uses high-quality 3D images to analyze the development of human arm and leg muscles.
A single gene determines whether a fly has a good sense of sight or a good sense of smell
A single DNA variant affects the timing of sensory organ development in fruit flies, explaining size trade-offs between eyes and antennae. The study found a conserved genetic mechanism that could apply to sensory organ size variations across animal kingdoms.
How the pufferfish got its wacky spines
Researchers have identified the genetic basis of pufferfish spines, which share developmental pathways with other vertebrates. The study reveals that the spines evolved as a unique adaptation for protection during inflation.
Coelacanth reveals new insights into skull evolution
Researchers study coelacanth specimens at different stages of cranial development, providing new insights into the biology of this iconic animal. The study reveals unique observations about the development of the living coelacanth skull and brain, and opens up new avenues for research on the evolution of vertebrate heads.
Clever budgies make better mates
A study found that male budgies who exhibit intelligent behavior, such as solving problems for food, become more appealing to females. The research suggests a possible evolutionary link between cognitive abilities and mate selection in birds.
Evolution of limb patterning in tetrapods
Researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of the ancient fish Rhizodus hibberti, featuring a novel skeletal pattern in its pelvic fins. The findings suggest that developmental mechanisms were more flexible in early tetrapods, allowing for varied skeletal patterns before the familiar one-to-two limb structure emerged.
Smallest ever Tylosaurus fossil sheds light on species
A newly discovered Tylosaurus fossil, likely a newborn, lacks the characteristic long snout of the species. Researchers found that the development of this feature occurs extremely quickly, between birth and juvenile stage.
Scientists go 'back to the future,' create flies with ancient genes to study evolution
Researchers created flies with ancient genes to understand how mutations drove major evolutionary changes in embryonic development. The study found that two chance mutations were the major causes of a profound change in the animal's developmental processes, resulting in present-day descendants exhibiting new developmental functions.
Clown fish: Whence the white stripes?
Researchers found that clown fish stripes are essential for individual recognition and critical to their social organization among sea anemones. They also discovered the evolutionary history of striped patterns, which originated from a common ancestor with three stripes.
Mammal forerunner that reproduced like a reptile sheds light on brain evolution
A newly discovered mammal fossil contains fossils of 38 babies, providing insight into the evolution of mammals' reproductive strategies. The discovery suggests that a key development in mammalian evolution was trading brood power for brain power.
UMass Amherst biologists identify a genetic mechanism in the evolution of novel traits
Researchers found that expanding gene-regulatory modules can give rise to new traits, such as the enlarged snout in African cichlid fishes. The study implicated key genetic pathways, including the Tgfβ-Scx pathway and Adam12 protein.
When and where did the drought occur severely in the Yellow River basin during the last 55 years?
Researchers used ESMD and BGSA to study temporal and spatial patterns of drought in the Yellow River basin. The results showed that drought frequency varied by season, with summer being the driest, and suggested targeted drought resistance measures for the region.
Bigger human brain prioritizes thinking hub -- at a cost
A recent NIH study discovered that bigger human brains prioritize thinking areas at a cost to emotional, sensory, and motor functions. The larger the brain, the more its additional area is accounted for by growth in thinking areas of the cortex, leading to higher energy consumption.
Crafting a human niche
Fuentes asserts that humans are distinctive, yet share similarities with apes. He proposes that human ability to alter ecosystems is our most distinguishing feature, enabling creative cooperation, technological innovations, and artistic expression.
The secret life of teeth: Evo-devo models of tooth development
Researchers found a simple patterning cascade model that accounts for shifts in molar evolution during hominin origins, predicting variations in molar configuration based on embryonic signaling cells. The study suggests small, subtle tweaks to developmental toolkit can result in complex anatomy.
Paleontology: The eleventh Archaeopteryx
The geologically oldest fossil of the genus Archaeopteryx, dating back 150 million years, has been found in Northern Bavaria. The new specimen exhibits unique features that differentiate it from other known specimens, providing a reliable diagnosis for distinguishing Archaeopteryx from its closest relatives.
Indiana University biologists create beetle with functional extra eye
Researchers successfully created a fully functional extra eye in the center of a beetle's head using a simple genetic tool. The study provides new insights into how developmental processes reorganize to create novel complex traits, and could help address fundamental questions in development, evolution, and medicine.
Lightning-fast trappers
Researchers discovered that bladderwort traps suck in prey like water fleas at incredible speeds, decelerating them before trapping. Comparative analyses of different species revealed unique trap entrance structures and movement patterns adapted to various habitats.
Birds' unique skulls linked to young dinosaur brains
A new study reveals that birds' skulls evolved differently from their relatives, resembling those of young dinosaurs and crocodiles. The team's analysis suggests that adult modern birds retain features of 'young' dinosaur ancestors, such as proportionally larger brains and eyes.
Key immunological mechanism for regulating intestinal flora discovered
Researchers at IMIM have found that immunoglobulin M plays a crucial role in regulating the diversity of intestinal flora, including beneficial microorganisms. The study highlights IgM's participation in an immunological memory system, enabling organisms to adapt to their microbial environment.
Warm-bloodedness possibly much older than previously thought
Researchers from the Universities of Cape Town and Bonn suggest that warm-bloodedness may have originated 20-30 million years ago in land animals. This is based on analysis of long-extinct animal fossils, which show signs of fibrolamellar bone structure indicative of warm-bloodedness.
Three-year-olds understand, value obligations of joint commitment
A new study found that 3-year-olds can coordinate actions with others in joint tasks, understanding these as collaborative commitments. Children protest when a partner defected selfishly but are less upset by accidental or ignorant defections.
Robot epigenetics: Adding complexity to embodied robot evolution
In this study, researchers created physically embodied robots to examine the interaction between genetic and epigenetic factors in robot evolution. The results show that robot populations with an epigenetic factor evolved differently than those without, highlighting the importance of including epigenetic factors in robot evolution.
Musical scales may have developed to accommodate vocal limitations
A new study suggests that musical scales may have evolved to accommodate the variability of the human voice, rather than the perfect tuning of instruments. This theory has implications for understanding the development of singing and speech production in tone languages.
Ancient horse fossils hint factors driving evolution different than thought
A new study analyzing ancient horse fossils reveals that patterns of migration and environmental changes are key drivers of evolutionary development. Contrary to the rapid phenotypic evolution theory, researchers found no significant difference in body size evolution between lineages with high and low speciation rates, suggesting that ...
Discovering the origin of mouth and anus
A Norwegian ground-breaking study reveals that the mouth and anus do not originate from a common blastopore as previously thought. The research suggests that the formation of either organ is a consequence of how each embryo is organized during early development.
The telltale heart of chordate evolution: Study shows model organism making do with less
A new study shows that the planktonic organism Oikopleura dioica has lost most of its genes related to retinoic acid metabolism, a vital molecule for vertebrate physiology and embryonic development. This finding challenges the idea that evolution always requires more complexity or number of genes in living beings.
1815 UK geologic map remains the benchmark
The 1815 UK geologic map, created by William Smith, is still remarkably accurate two centuries later due to its innovative features. The map's accuracy can be attributed to a combination of creative individuality, technological advancements, and favorable taxation laws.
New discoveries on evolution can save endangered species
A new study by Lund University finds that assortative mating actually breaks down the sexual barrier between closely related species, leading to potential hybridization and extinction. Large females' reproductive capacity explains their attractiveness to smaller males' species.
13-million-year-old 'storyteller' crocodylian fossils show evidence for parallel evolution
Fossils of an extinct 'storyteller' crocodylian from Peru show evidence of parallel evolution of river-dwelling lifestyle and protruding, telescoped eyes in South American and Indian species. The study suggests that these features evolved separately to help catch fish in habitats.
IU biologist receives $1.25 million to co-lead study on evolutionary development
A team of researchers, led by IU biologist Armin Moczek, will systematically study proposed extensions to the theory of evolutionary biology. The $1.25 million grant aims to test assumptions and predictions of a new framework that recognizes environmental signals in organism development.
Predicting human evolution: Teeth tell the story
A new study led by Alistair Evans of Monash University found that molars follow the inhibitory cascade rule, simplifying human tooth evolution. The team can now predict the size of missing fossil teeth using this rule.
Kasting receives NAS Early Earth & Life Sciences Award
James F. Kasting receives the award for his work on planetary atmospheres and habitability, providing insights into the origin of life on early Earth and the search for life on other planets
Researchers reveal the nature of atherosclerosis from plaque initiation to thrombosis
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine used non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect vulnerable atherosclerosis plaques, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The study showed that MRI can discriminate between high-risk and stable plaques at early stages.
Can scientists agree on a definition of curiosity?
Researchers propose a working definition of curiosity as a drive state for information, which can be observed in organisms as simple as nematode worms. They also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of curiosity, including its role in learning and decision-making, and how it relates to attentional disorders.
You'd have to be smart to walk this lazy... and people are
A study published in Current Biology found that people subconsciously change their walking patterns to expend the least amount of energy possible. By wearing robotic exoskeletons and altering resistance levels, researchers showed that participants adapt their step frequency to converge on a new energetic optimum within minutes.
Pitt researcher lands the cover of Developmental Cell by uncovering an evolutionary secret
A Pitt researcher used gene regulatory networks to uncover the origins of a recently evolved structure in male fruit flies, finding that it was created by reusing existing networks during development. This discovery sheds light on how complex animal forms arose and challenges the idea that new structures must be encoded by new genes.
Orangutan females prefer cheek-padded males
Research found that cheek-padded males are significantly more successful in fathering offspring, with dominant males having greater reproductive success during their tenure as dominant. However, other males were able to sire offspring during periods of rank instability or at the beginning and end of a dominant male's reign.
Student researchers recognized for posters presented at C. elegans Meeting
The Genetics Society of America has awarded prizes to undergraduate and graduate students who presented research on Caenorhabditis elegans at the recent meeting. The awards recognized innovative work in various fields, including cell biology, development and evolution, gene regulation and genomics, neurobiology, and physiology.
To know the enemy
A recent study published in the journal genesis reveals an intact Hox cluster in the Crown of Thorns starfish, which is a surprising result given the relatively disorganized clusters found in sea urchins. This finding has implications for understanding evolutionary-developmental biology and may suggest new methods for mitigating damage...