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Related Concept Videos

Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...
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Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
08:57

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Published on: August 14, 2018

Molecular evolution: gene convergence in echolocating mammals.

Gareth Jones1

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK.

Current Biology : CB
|February 5, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Echolocating dolphins and bats share similar prestin protein sequences, crucial for sensitive hearing. This convergence highlights how distinct species evolve similar solutions for sophisticated auditory functions.

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Area of Science:

  • Auditory Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • The motor protein prestin is essential for the sophisticated hearing abilities of mammals.
  • Prestin's function is critical for sensitive and selective auditory perception.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the amino-acid sequences of the prestin protein in echolocating dolphins.
  • To compare dolphin prestin sequences with those of other echolocating mammals, particularly bats.

Main Methods:

  • Amino acid sequencing of prestin in dolphin auditory tissues.
  • Bioinformatic analysis and sequence alignment of prestin from various species.

Main Results:

  • Prestin amino-acid sequences in echolocating dolphins show remarkable convergence.
  • These sequences closely resemble those found in distantly related echolocating bats.

Conclusions:

  • Convergent evolution has shaped prestin in mammals with similar auditory demands.
  • This suggests that specific functional constraints drive the evolution of prestin for echolocation.