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Related Concept Videos

Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

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John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
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Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks
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Evolution: Bend it like basal synapsids.

Vera Weisbecker1

  • 1College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.

Current Biology : CB
|May 11, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mammalian spinal locomotion evolved from a novel, extinct form, not lizard-like ancestors. This discovery reshapes our understanding of vertebrate evolutionary biomechanics and gait.

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Area of Science:

  • Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Mammalian locomotion features unique spinal flexion and extension.
  • Previous theories proposed evolution from laterally-bending reptilian spines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origin of the mammalian upright spinal movement.
  • To identify the ancestral spinal form preceding specialized mammalian gaits.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative anatomical analysis of fossil vertebrates.
  • Phylogenetic reconstruction of spinal evolution.
  • Biomechanical modeling of extinct spinal forms.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests a previously unknown extinct spinal form as the mammalian ancestor.
  • This ancestral form exhibited a unique combination of spinal flexibility.
  • Lizard-like lateral bending is unlikely to be the direct precursor.

Conclusions:

  • Mammalian spinal locomotion originated from a distinct, extinct lineage.
  • This finding necessitates revision of established evolutionary pathways for vertebrate movement.