Navigation Links
Two from one: Pitt research maps out evolution of genders from hermaphroditic ancestors
Date:11/20/2008

PITTSBURGHResearch from the University of Pittsburgh published in the Nov. 20 edition of Heredity could finally provide evidence of the first stages of the evolution of separate sexes, a theory that holds that males and females developed from hermaphroditic ancestors. These early stages are not completely understood because the majority of animal species developed into the arguably less titillating separate-sex state too long ago for scientists to observe the transition.

However, Tia-Lynn Ashman, a plant evolutionary ecologist in the Department of Biological Sciences in Pitt's School of Arts and Sciences, documented early separate-sex evolution in a wild strawberry species still transitioning from hermaphroditism. These findings also apply to animals (via the unified theory) and provide the first evidence in support of the theory that the establishment of separate sexes stemmed from a genetic mutation in hermaphroditic genes that led to male and female sex chromosomes. With the ability to breed but spared the inbred defects of hermaphrodites, the separate sexes flourished.

"This is an important test of the theory of the early stages of sex chromosome evolution and part of the process of understanding the way we are today," Ashman said. She added that the study also shows that plants can lend insight into animal and human evolution. "We have the opportunity to observe the evolution of sex chromosomes in plants because that development is more recent. We wouldn't see this in animals because the sex chromosomes developed so long ago. Instead, we can study a species that is in that early stage now and apply it to animals based on the unified theory that animal and plant biology often overlaps."

Ashman reported in Science in 2004 that animals and flowering plants employ similar reproductive strategies to increase reproductive success and genetic diversity. These methods include large numbers of sperm cells in males, mate competition
'/>"/>

Contact: Morgan Kelly
mekelly@pitt.edu
412-624-4356
University of Pittsburgh
Source:Eurekalert

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Researcher tricks immune system in diabetic mice
2. Soybean grant gives researchers tools to unravel better bean
3. Researchers shed new light on catalyzed reactions
4. Biomedical research profits from the exploration of the deep sea
5. Researchers at IRB Barcelona produce more data on key genes in diabetes
6. Pitt researchers use fluorescence to develop method for detecting mercury in fish
7. JDRF funded research shows promise for prevention, reversal of type 1 diabetes
8. NWO and Academy launch research program with China
9. Caltech researchers get first 3-D glimpse of bacterial cell-wall architecture
10. Could genetic research awaken racist attitudes?
11. Mayo researchers identify dangerous two-faced protein crucial to breast cancer spread and growth
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:7/2/2009)..., Bremerhaven, July 2nd 2009. A new measurement...e first time on board of the research vessel Polar...e one hand, they spend the greater part of their l...art of their body can be seen when they surface, a...surrounding water. Visual sightings by marine mamm...
(Date:7/2/2009)..., DURHAM, N.C. -- As flowering plants like giant ...uring the Cretaceous period, the ferns that had pr... In fact, they flourished. While modern tropical r...ed aboard, and experienced a flowering of their ow...-- boom -- diversification," said Duke University ...
(Date:7/1/2009)..., London, 1 July, 2009 Johnson & Johnson today a... Department of Molecular Biology at the Max Planck...veries have led to novel cancer therapies includin...009 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research...ntists selected Dr. Ullrich, who on September 8 wi...
(Date:7/1/2009)..., , Researchers from the Department of Science Ed...have managed to make out the "self-irrigating" mec...harvest 16 times the amount of water than otherwis... quantities of rain in the desert. This is the fir..., The desert rhubarb grows in the mountains of Is...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):All in sight 2Ferns took to the trees and thrived 2Axel Ullrich named winner of 2009 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research 2Desert rhubarb -- a self-irrigating plant 2Presidents of Iceland Bangladesh to discuss global climate change in New Orleans 994 1Presidents of Iceland Bangladesh to discuss global climate change in New Orleans 994 2Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital to Receive James Brady Award From Brain Injury Association of Illinois 4737 1Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital to Receive James Brady Award From Brain Injury Association of Illinois 4737 2Author Reveals How to Cancer Proof Your Life on October 28th 4733 1Author Reveals How to Cancer Proof Your Life on October 28th 4733 2SemBioSys to present insulin data at the Seventh Annual Diabetes Technology Meeting 1536 1SemBioSys to present insulin data at the Seventh Annual Diabetes Technology Meeting 1536 2
...s that a high-prevalence of male-killing bacteria ...terfly, actually increases female promiscuity and ...insect population drops -- killed off by the bacte...rampant. Males on the other hand show signs of fat...e populations of tropical butterfly the entire mat...
...r: spider silk is unsurpassed in its expandability...k would be an ideal material for a large variety o...ers are thus interested in learning the spiders, s...by Thomas Scheibel at the Technical University of ... As they report in the journal Angewandte Chemie, ...
... insects that nibble on the plant,s leaves and can...ae that survive eventually evolve methods to overc...griculture Research Service scientists trying to t... that nullify toxins that wheat produces to protec... report their findings in the Feb. 6 issue of the ...
...he National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI..., has identified a genetic variant that is a major...ppear in the April 6, 2007 issue of the journal Sc...of a key genetic variant that accounts for differe...the underlying gene is present in all dogs and oth...
Other Biology News:Male-killing bacteria makes female butterflies more promiscuous 2Fascinating spider silk 2Scientists find genes involved in the battle between Hessian flies and wheat 2Scientists find genes involved in the battle between Hessian flies and wheat 3Researchers identify gene involved in dog size 2Researchers identify gene involved in dog size 3Researchers identify gene involved in dog size 4
(Date:7/1/2009)...d pattern has led materials scientists at the Nati...and the Institute of Solid State Physics in Russia...nd long-range effects of certain electromagnetic n... reported findings* may add new scientific challen...high density data storage devices. , The team wa...
(Date:7/1/2009)...s collaborating effectively with government and NG...delivering Pfizer-donated Zithromax , , ATLANT...onal Trachoma Initiative (ITI) has a new leadershi...s among governments and NGOs in 56 trachoma endemi...pes to support local, national, regional, and inte...
(Date:7/1/2009)...e of investigational sustained follicle stimulant ...ollitropin beta given over a one week period in Ph...-FirstCall/ -- Schering-Plough Corp., (NYSE: SGP...GE clinical trial demonstrating that a single inje...of sustained follicle stimulants, achieved similar...
(Date:7/1/2009)...lif., July 1 Peregrine P...nced that it has been awarded a European patent fo...l agents to labels for diagnostic and therapeutic ...n-Line labeling, was developed for the production ...licable to other agents as well. A study publishe...
Breaking Biology Technology:Unexpectedly long-range effects in advanced magnetic devices 2New Leadership Team at International Trachoma Initiative to Build Stronger Partnerships to Eliminate Blinding Trachoma 2Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 2Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 3Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 4Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 5Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 6Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 7Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 8Schering-Plough Announces Phase II and III Data for Corifollitropin Alfa 9Peregrine Awarded European Patent for Innovative Labeling Technology Featured in New Study in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine 2Peregrine Awarded European Patent for Innovative Labeling Technology Featured in New Study in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine 3Peregrine Awarded European Patent for Innovative Labeling Technology Featured in New Study in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine 4
...e week that state senators in Wisconsin killed a b...hanol, policymakers in another Midwestern state we...-based economy. , ,Agri-business giant Louis Drey...est biodiesel production plant in northern Indiana...s of soybeans each year. That will produce more th...
...s. A professor who has worked for the last two d...sus monkeys was featured in the MIT Technology Rev... works with a colony of 78 monkeys at the Universi...th low-calorie diets that are known to expand the ...latively easy, it,s too early even now to tell whe...
...apids A telephone company in central Wisconsin ... name change and new offerings of high-speed Inter...erly Wood County Telephone Company, serves about 2...rs the company plans to expand into Green Bay, Mil...is in communities such as Wisconsin Rapids, also i...
...s. Third Wave Technologies said on Tuesday tha...ntly increase the value of its intellecual propert...f Third Wave,s Invader line of genetic analysis pr...pies of DNA or RNA. The company also obtained a Ja..., ,"These important, new patents are a demonstrati...
Other Biology Technology:Ethanol bill's death in Wisconsin ignores what's happening with our neighbors 2Ethanol bill's death in Wisconsin ignores what's happening with our neighbors 3
Signets FAST RED Chromogen System consists of FAST RED chromogen,tablets and substrate buffer. FAST RED reacts in the presence of alkaline phosphatase to produce red staining with minimal backgroun
The F10 tubing kit provides high-pressure tubing for use with the BioLogic DuoFlow system and other chromatography systems. The kit includes precut and fitted Teflon, Tefzel, and orange PEEK tubing f
...ersatile stain for staining RNA (bluish-purple), D... Assay: TLC ≥ 90 % Cation traces: Ca ...g Cr ≤ 5 mg/kg Cu ≤ 5 mg/kg Fe ≤...≤ 5 mg/kg Na ≤ 50 mg/kg Ni ≤ 5 m...
Sf21 Insect Cells (Live) in Max-XP Medium
Biology Products: