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Related Concept Videos

Genetic Lingo01:11

Genetic Lingo

Overview
X-linked Traits01:19

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
Lethal Alleles02:41

Lethal Alleles

Agouti: A Lethal Allele
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
X-linked Traits01:19

X-linked Traits

In most mammalian species, females have two X sex chromosomes and males have an X and Y. As a result, mutations on the X chromosome in females may be masked by the presence of a normal allele on the second X. In contrast, a mutation on the X chromosome in males more often causes observable biological defects, as there is no normal X to compensate. Trait variations arising from mutations on the X chromosome are called “X-linked”.
Inheritance01:25

Inheritance

Gregor Mendel's pioneering work on the principles of inheritance fundamentally transformed our understanding of how traits are transmitted from generation to generation. His experiments with pea plants laid the groundwork for the discovery of genes, discrete units within organisms that control heredity.
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype traits...

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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Developmental genetics and early hominid craniodental evolution.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2001
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Adaptationism and the anthropoid postcranium: selection does not govern the length of the radial neck.

Journal of morphology·2000
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Subnasal morphological variation in fossil hominids: a reassessment based on new observations and recent developmental findings.

American journal of physical anthropology·2000
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The Depression-Happiness Scale: test-retest data over two weeks.

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Primordial Germ Cell Transplantation for CRISPR/Cas9-based Leapfrogging in Xenopus
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The robust australopithecine face: a morphogenetic perspective.

M A McCollum1

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44106, USA. mam17@po.cwru.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 9, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Robust australopithecines, a side branch of human evolution, possess unique craniodental traits. These features, however, stem from dental proportions, complicating phylogenetic analysis and human evolution studies.

Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Human Evolution Studies
  • Primate Phylogenetics

Background:

  • The evolutionary position of robust australopithecines remains debated.
  • Unique craniodental features have been used to infer their phylogenetic relationships.
  • Previous cladistic analyses have struggled to resolve their evolutionary history.

Observation:

  • Robust australopithecines exhibit distinctive craniodental morphology.
  • These traits are strongly associated with their unusual dental proportions.
  • Nasomaxillary modeling appears to be a singular developmental pattern in these hominids.

Findings:

  • The presumed monophyletic origin of robust australopithecines is questioned.
  • Craniodental traits do not reliably indicate distinct phylogenetic splits.

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  • Detailed anatomical trait analysis has introduced significant phyletic error.

    • Implications:

    • Re-evaluation of robust australopithecine phylogeny is necessary.
    • Alternative methods may be required to resolve their evolutionary history.
    • Understanding this lineage is crucial for reconstructing early human evolution.