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Related Concept Videos

Parental Care00:55

Parental Care

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Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
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The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
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Placental Evolution: Innovating How to Feed Babies.

Julie C Baker1

  • 1Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;

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Placental evolution, driven by mother-offspring resource conflict, shows rapid diversification. Convergent evolution and genomic innovation have shaped placentas, enabling complex traits like large brains.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • The placenta evolved from external egg resource deposition to internal gestation, fundamentally altering offspring development.
  • Placental evolution is characterized by a mother-offspring resource conflict, driving a Red Queen race of diversification.
  • Significant divergence exists in placental morphology, cellular processes, and function even between closely related species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the genomic underpinnings of placental evolution across diverse species.
  • To identify shared commonalities and critical components of placental function through comparative genomics.
  • To understand the mechanisms driving rapid placental adaptation and innovation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomic analysis across a wide range of species, including fish and reptiles.
  • Investigation of convergent evolution mechanisms in placental development.
  • Analysis of gene co-option, including viral elements and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Convergent evolution is a recurring theme, evidenced by the co-option of envelope proteins for syncytium formation and conserved use of hormones and structural proteins.
  • Endogenous retroviruses have been co-opted for transport and as mutagens, contributing to genomic innovation.
  • The placental genome exhibits remarkable plasticity, facilitating rapid adaptation and evolutionary innovation.

Conclusions:

  • Placental evolution is a dynamic process shaped by intergenerational conflict and repeated use of convergent mechanisms.
  • Genomic plasticity and innovation within the placenta have been crucial for the evolution of complex traits, such as large brains.
  • Understanding placental genomics is key to comprehending adaptations supporting offspring and mothers in changing environments.