Life-History Traits of Extinct Species May Be Discoverable
Geplaatst: 13-06-2011 13:06
ScienceDaily (June 13, 2011) —
For the first time, scientists have used large-scale DNA sequencing data to investigate
a long-standing evolutionary assumption: DNA mutation rates are influenced by a set of species-specific life-history traits.
These traits include metabolic rate and the interval of time between an
individual's birth and the birth of its offspring, known as generation time.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 014445.htm
One of the many implications of this research is that life-history traits of extinct species now could be discoverable. "Correlations between life-history traits and mutation rates
for existing species make it possible to develop a hypothesis in reverse for an ancient species for which we have genomic data, but
no living individuals to observe as test subjects," Makova explained.
"So, if we have information about how extant species' life history affects mutation rates, it becomes possible to make inferences about
the life history of a species that has been extinct for even tens of thousands of years, simply by looking at the genomic data."
For the first time, scientists have used large-scale DNA sequencing data to investigate
a long-standing evolutionary assumption: DNA mutation rates are influenced by a set of species-specific life-history traits.
These traits include metabolic rate and the interval of time between an
individual's birth and the birth of its offspring, known as generation time.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 014445.htm
One of the many implications of this research is that life-history traits of extinct species now could be discoverable. "Correlations between life-history traits and mutation rates
for existing species make it possible to develop a hypothesis in reverse for an ancient species for which we have genomic data, but
no living individuals to observe as test subjects," Makova explained.
"So, if we have information about how extant species' life history affects mutation rates, it becomes possible to make inferences about
the life history of a species that has been extinct for even tens of thousands of years, simply by looking at the genomic data."