Navigation Links
Mutant champions save imperiled species from almost-certain extinction
Date:2/19/2013

Species facing widespread and rapid environmental changes can sometimes evolve quickly enough to dodge the extinction bullet. Populations of disease-causing bacteria evolve, for example, as doctors flood their "environment," the human body, with antibiotics. Insects, animals and plants can make evolutionary adaptations in response to pesticides, heavy metals and overfishing.

Previous studies have shown that the more gradual the change, the better the chances for "evolutionary rescue" the process of mutations occurring fast enough to allow a population to avoid extinction in changing environments. One obvious reason is that more individuals remain alive when change is gradual or moderate, meaning there are more opportunities for a winning mutation to emerge.

Now University of Washington biologists using populations of microorganisms have shed light for the first time on a second reason. They found that the mutation that wins the race in the harshest environment is often dependent on a "relay team" of other mutations that came before, mutations that emerge only as conditions worsen at gradual and moderate rates.

Without the winners from those first "legs" of the survival race, it's unlikely there will even be a runner in the anchor position when conditions become extreme.

"That's a problem given the number of factors on the planet being changed with unprecedented rapidity under the banner of climate change and other human-caused changes," said Benjamin Kerr, UW assistant professor of biology.

Kerr is corresponding author of a paper in the advance online edition of Nature the week of Feb. 9.

Unless a species can relocate or its members already have a bit of flexibility to alter their behavior or physiology, the only option is to evolve or die in the face of challenging environmental conditions, said lead author Haley Lindsey of Seattle, a former lab member. Other co-authors are Jenna Gallie, now with ET
'/>"/>

Contact: Sandra Hines
shines@uw.edu
206-543-2580
University of Washington
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Mutant gene responsible for pigeons head crests
2. Researchers generate a mutant mouse model useful in the treatment of neuromuscular diseases
3. Artificial intelligence helps detect subtle differences in mutant worms
4. Wild bees: Champions for food security and protecting our biodiversity
5. The discovery of a new genus of crustacean and 5 new species
6. Spectacular forcepfly species discovered for the first time in South America
7. Bisphenol A affects sex-specific reproductive behaviors in a monogamous animal species
8. LSU professor discovers how new corals species form in the ocean
9. Thailand: Astonishing 10 new species of semi-aquatic freshwater earthworms revealed
10. Biocontrol research on Brazilian peppertree in Florida discovers new cryptic species
11. Polar bear researchers urge governments to act now and save the species
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Mutant champions save imperiled species from almost-certain extinction
(Date:5/23/2013)... Neuron , the team reveal the interplay of ... funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC. , ... we improve our perceptual abilities. While these changes can ... also affect the fidelity of that response. ... explains: "When you communicate with others, you can make ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Screening Trial (NLST) investigators also conclude that the ... low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) versus chest X-ray (CXR) ... is achievable at experienced screening centers in the ... to share with their patients about the benefits ... today,s publication in the New England Journal ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... engineers must join together in a major new effort ... crisis in providing Earth,s people with clean water that ... of a comment article in the current edition of ... of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world,s largest ... Sedlak, Ph.D., and Jerald L. Schnoor, Ph.D., explain that ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):NLST: CT detects twice as many lung cancers as X-ray at initial screening exam 2NLST: CT detects twice as many lung cancers as X-ray at initial screening exam 3
... and accurately distinguish species based on a simple DNA ... in the war against a major global disease. ... Biodiversity Foundation, is pioneering the use of DNA "barcodes" ... spread lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis. Using ...
... some kinds of memories for a lifetime. But when ... gray matter also creates temporary memories that help us ... memories exist. For decades, scientists have held that such ... imprecise over the course of several seconds. Now ...
... a practiced eye and Google Earth all played ... fossils that may shed light on the origins ... story, featuring University of Michigan paleontologists Philip Gingerich, ... of a segment on the award-winning television series ...
Cached Biology News:DNA barcoding of mosquito species deployed in bid to end elephantiasis 2DNA barcoding of mosquito species deployed in bid to end elephantiasis 3DNA barcoding of mosquito species deployed in bid to end elephantiasis 4Some short-term memories die suddenly, no fading 2Google Earth aids discovery of early African mammal fossils 2Google Earth aids discovery of early African mammal fossils 3
(Date:5/24/2013)... 2013 Quincy Bioscience, a leading ... of calcium-binding proteins to support healthy living, is ... study of apoaequorin in Food and ... the British Industrial Biological Research Association. , ... potential adverse effects, if any, of apoaequorin, in ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Can economic incentives such as gift cards, T-shirts, ... public to increase their donations of blood? , A ... School Assistant Professor Mario Macis says the answer ... of recent research that supports their argument, the three ... Science that the World Health Organization and national blood ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 The maker ... all types of inventions. They focus on learning practical ... this community gravitate toward bringing their ideas to life ... Biology Movement, works on making projects using biology. Glowing ... of plants to make them glow with bioluminescence genes, ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... Pa. , May 23, 2013 ... research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, ... hepatologists, and infectious disease specialists reported that in ... patients (e.g., intentionally delaying treatment) in anticipation of ... than six months ago, when only 6 percent ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Safety Assessment Study of Apoaequorin Published in Food and Chemical Toxicology 2Offering Economic Incentives to Attract Blood Donations Should Be Encouraged, Research Team writes in Science 2Offering Economic Incentives to Attract Blood Donations Should Be Encouraged, Research Team writes in Science 3Glowing Plant Releases Maker Kit, Enabling Anyone to Make a Glowing Plant at Home 2The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 2The Majority of Physicians that Treat Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Have Begun "Warehousing" and Preparing Their HCV Patients for the Next Generation of HCV Treatments 3
... 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Mr. Pierre,Fitzgibbon, President and Chief ... "Company", TSX: ATB) today announced changes to the,management ... by Mr.,Richard Bordeleau, President of the Health & ... pursue news challenges. However, Mr. Bordeleau,will continue to ...
... Audio Webcast Tuesday, September 11, 2007, SAN DIEGO, ... announced today that Neurocrine Biosciences will,present at the Bear ... 11, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET),/7:30 a.m. ... may be accessed on the Company,s website at, http://www.neurocrine.com ...
... the Treatment of Opioid ... ... (Nasdaq: NKTR ) presented results today at the American ... 1 trial of NKTR-118 (oral PEG-naloxol). NKTR-118 is Nektar,s,proprietary investigational ...
Cached Biology Technology:Atrium Innovations Announces Management Changes 2Nektar Presents Positive Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NKTR-118 (oral PEG-naloxol) at American College of Clinical Pharmacology Meeting 2Nektar Presents Positive Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NKTR-118 (oral PEG-naloxol) at American College of Clinical Pharmacology Meeting 3Nektar Presents Positive Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NKTR-118 (oral PEG-naloxol) at American College of Clinical Pharmacology Meeting 4Nektar Presents Positive Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of NKTR-118 (oral PEG-naloxol) at American College of Clinical Pharmacology Meeting 5
Mouse monoclonal antibody raised against a partial recombinant COG2. NCBI Entrez Gene ID = COG2...
Mouse polyclonal antibody raised against a partial recombinant IFNA13. NCBI Entrez Gene ID = 3447...
Mouse monoclonal antibody raised against a full length recombinant LDB3. NCBI Entrez Gene ID = LDB3...
Mouse polyclonal antibody raised against a partial recombinant NCLN. NCBI Entrez Gene ID = 56926...
Biology Products: