Cryptic clues revealed
Article Abstract:
The heat-shock protein Hsp90 may not always be required for protein folding but is linked with proteins that govern cell growth during development. A study of Drosophila with impaired Hsp90 function shows that almost any part of the body can be altered. It could be that signalling proteins may store silent genetic variations under normal conditions and in times of stress Hsp90 may be sequestered by unfolded protein abundance. This may reveal mutations of key signalling components and result in increased morphological evolutionary change, suggesting that some modifications may be favored by selection and showing that the body can change its form in a step-wise fashion rather than progressively.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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The Pleistocene serpent Wonambi and the early evolution of snakes
Article Abstract:
A new Australian material of Wonambi, one of the last-surviving madtsoiids, is reported. Wonambi is one of the most primitive snakes known and the finding enables a detailed assessment of madtsoiid cranial anatomy and relationships. Phylogenetic conclusions are in contradiction with the widely held subterranean theory of snake origins, and there are implications that burrowing snakes acquired fossorial adaptations following the evolution of the snake body form and jaw in large ancestors.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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Correlated progression and the origin of turtles
Article Abstract:
Turtles have undergone more radical postcranial changes compared to other vertebrates. Their dorsal vertebrae and ribs have fused wirth dermal armor to form a strong trunk region. Such a chelonian morphology approaches certain pareiasaurs more closely than previously believed. Evolutionary trends observed within pareiasaurs indicated that the armored body of turtles evolved slowly through correlated progression.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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