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#Evolution

55 posts44 participants0 posts today
Public
michael

3-Jun-2025
Ancient #collagen can help identify a “#wombat the size of a #hippo” in the fossil record
Scientists find new markers to identify species from fragments of fossilized bone and help us understand mysterious #megafauna #extinctions

eurekalert.org/news-releases/1 #science #evolution #fossils

EurekAlert!Ancient collagen can help identify a “wombat the size of a hippo” in the fossil recordPeptide markers in collagen can help us identify species from fragments of bone too damaged to recognize, and fossils found in places that are too hot or humid to preserve DNA. A team of scientists have now successfully established markers for three species of extinct Australian megafauna, opening the way for research which could help us understand how a series of unexplained extinctions of megafauna 50,000 years ago happened, and if humans were responsible. 
Public
michael

3-Jun-2025
Two plant species invent the same chemically complex and medically interesting substance
The elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of #ipecacuanha #alkaloids shows how two distantly related plant species could develop the same substance independently

eurekalert.org/news-releases/1 #science #plants #bioactives #biosynthesis #evolution #plantPhysiology

EurekAlert!Two plant species invent the same chemically complex and medically interesting substanceThe biosynthesis of the great variety of natural plant products has not yet been elucidated for many medically interesting substances. In a new study, an international team of researchers was able to show how ipecacuanha alkaloids, substances used in traditional medicine, are synthesized. They compared two distantly related plant species and were able to show that although both plant species use a comparable chemical approach, the enzymes they need for synthesis differ and a different starting material is used. Further investigations revealed that the biosynthetic pathways of these complex chemical compounds have developed independently in the two species. These results help to enable the synthesis of these and related substances on a larger scale for medical use.
Public
Cytology and Genetics

Theodosius Dobzhansky: Meaning of Life on the Earth in the Light of Evolution - #TheodosiusDobzhansky #populationgenetics #synthetictheoryofevolution #genetics #evolution - link.springer.com/article/10.3

SpringerLinkTheodosius Dobzhansky: Meaning of Life on the Earth in the Light of Evolution - Cytology and GeneticsAbstract— The article is devoted to the outstanding Ukrainian and American evolutionist, zoologist, geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900–1975). The life path and the main scientific achievements of the scientist are described, including genetic studies of the evolutionary process; he is one of the founders of the modern synthetic theory of evolution. T. Dobzhansky laid the foundations for the direction of experimental studies on evolution (studying the isolating mechanisms that prevent the crossing of individuals from different species). He demonstrated that the formation of a complex of isolating factors (geographical, ecological, ethological, reproductive, etc.) is an integral part of the speciation process, which provide in their totality the integrity of the gene pool of a new species. In his studies, the scientist combined Darwinism theories and the latest genetic data. The main issues considered by T. Dobzhansky included mutation as a source of genetic variability, role of chromosomal rearrangements, extent and types of variability in natural populations, natural selection, origin of species due to polyploidy, origin of species due to a constant development of isolating mechanisms, concept of species, etc. T. Dobzhansky began studying the pleiotropic effects of the genes. Subsequently, he brilliantly understood the significance of gene mutations in the evolutionary process. The approaches to the synthesis of genetics, evolutionary theory, anthropology, and sociology to understand the evolution of human nature are one more direction of the studies of T. Dobzhansky. He defended the concept of the diversity of human races at a scientific level. He strongly condemned pseudoscientific “theories” about the advantage of some races over the others, substantiated the meaninglessness of racism at a scientific level.
Public
Calishat

#evolution #biodiversity #TreeHub

"In this study, we present a novel approach for automatically extracting phylogenetic data and integrating relevant species information from scientific papers and public databases. On this basis, we constructed a dataset TreeHub, including 135,502 corresponding phylogenetic trees from 7,879 phylogenetic research articles across 609 academic journals."

nature.com/articles/s41597-025

NatureTreeHub: a comprehensive dataset of phylogenetic trees - Scientific DataPhylogenetic relationships are crucial for solving various biological questions, serving as a fundamental knowledge in biology. However, the application of phylogenetic trees has been limited by inadequate coverage of updated published phylogenies and the scarcity of reliable comprehensive datasets. In this study, we present a novel approach for automatically extracting phylogenetic data and integrating relevant species information from scientific papers and public databases. On this basis, we constructed a dataset TreeHub, including 135,502 corresponding phylogenetic trees from 7,879 phylogenetic research articles across 609 academic journals. This database will serve as a reliable and accessible resource for the scientific community, accelerating innovations in biodiversity studies and evolutionary theory based on high-density data.
Public
ResearchBuzz: Firehose

Scientific Data: TreeHub: a comprehensive dataset of phylogenetic trees . “In this study, we present a novel approach for automatically extracting phylogenetic data and integrating relevant species information from scientific papers and public databases. On this basis, we constructed a dataset TreeHub, including 135,502 corresponding phylogenetic trees from 7,879 phylogenetic research […]

https://rbfirehose.com/2025/06/04/treehub-a-comprehensive-dataset-of-phylogenetic-trees-scientific-data/

ResearchBuzz: Firehose | Individual posts from ResearchBuzz · TreeHub: a comprehensive dataset of phylogenetic trees (Scientific Data) | ResearchBuzz: Firehose
More from ResearchBuzz: Firehose
#biodiversity#dataextraction#Evolution
Public
flypapers

📰 "Phenotypic plasticity as a function of genetic polymorphism: thermal dominance reversal in Drosophila species with contrasting melanism"
biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/20
#Evolution
#Drosophila

bioRxiv · Phenotypic plasticity as a function of genetic polymorphism: thermal dominance reversal in Drosophila species with contrasting melanismPhenotypic plasticity is often seen as an alternative adaptive strategy to genetic polymorphism, especially in response to rapid environmental changes. Indeed, a link between plasticity and heterozygosity, i.e. the basic measure of polymorphism, has previously been dismissed. Here, we investigate the thermal plasticity of abdominal pigmentation in eight Drosophila species, four belonging to the melanogaster species group and four to the montium group. Despite a conserved developmental pathway for melanin synthesis, the genetic architecture of its variation has significantly evolved, being polygenic in most species (like D. melanogaster) and Mendelian or invariable in others. By investigating the thermal plasticity of this trait in species with distinct architectures, we show the degree of plasticity to strongly associate with heterozygosity. Plasticity was resurrected in hybrids between species with no plastic responses but with contrasting melanism, and was higher in heterozygotes in species with simple Mendelian polymorphism. In plastic cases, pigmentation dominance is reversed depending on the developmental temperature. We propose simple genetic models with empirical molecular support to explain this link between phenotypic plasticity and genetic polymorphism. The relationship between these two phenomena, and the impact of each on the evolution of the other, may be more relevant than it is currently appreciated. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.
Public
Aethelflaed

#science #animals #birds #evolution

Animals have the ability to change, adapt and evolve with their environment. Now cockatoos in Australia are learning a new skill- that of using water fountains. The birds need both feet to apply pressure to the fountain to be able to drink. They have already worked out how to open the bins to grab a snack from our leftovers. Clever birds!
popsci.com/environment/cockato

Popular Science · Wild cockatoos are learning how to use water fountainsNabbing a drink is just the latest skill for this innovative group of Australian birds.
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