Primate origins: plugging the gaps

Article Abstract:

Established theories and views regarding the course and timing of the evolution of early primates are being challenged by newly discovered fossil primate specimens. The questions raised by these recent discoveries mirror the many problems created by low sampling levels of the primate fossil record, such as theoretical uncertainties and underestimation of times of primate origin. The discoveries, for instance, have raised the possibility of links between certain Palaeocene Pleisadapiformes genera and Dermoptera. Dental evidence of the genus Algeripithecus also increased the age of earliest simians by 10 million years.

Discovery and exploration, Primates, Primates, Fossil, Fossil primates

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Ant soldiers are not modified queens

Article Abstract:

Baroni Urbani and L. Passera's assumption that ant soldiers evolved as a class independent workers from the queen ant was erroneous. Urbani and Passera based their conclusions on comparative analysis of Camponotus, Pheidole and Zacryptocerus ants. However, the similarity of ant soldiers and queen does not necessarily indicate the queen-based origin of soldiers. Furthermore, large soldier ants were formed by the evolution of polymorphic worker ants.

Physiological aspects, Genetic aspects, Genetic polymorphisms, Ants, Insect populations

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Hybrid speciation

Article Abstract:

The role of hybridization in animal evolution and the new examples where hybridization facilitates speciation and adaptive radiation in animals, as well as plants, are discussed. Researchers have showed that hybrid speciation is more common in plants and animals.

Hybridization, Speciation

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