Journal article
Rapid molecular evolution in a living fossil
Trends in Genetics, Vol.24(3), pp.106-109
2008
Abstract
The tuatara of New Zealand is a unique reptile that coexisted with dinosaurs and has changed little morphologically from its Cretaceous relatives. Tuatara have very slow metabolic and growth rates, long generation times and slow rates of reproduction. This suggests that the species is likely to exhibit a very slow rate of molecular evolution. Our analysis of ancient and modern tuatara DNA shows that, surprisingly, tuatara have the highest rate of molecular change recorded in vertebrates. Our work also suggests that rates of neutral molecular and phenotypic evolution are decoupled. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Details
- Title
- Rapid molecular evolution in a living fossil
- Authors
- J M Hay (Author) - University of Auckland, New ZealandSankar Subramanian (Author) - University of Auckland, New ZealandC D Millar (Author) - Massey University, New ZealandE Mohandesan (Author) - University of Auckland, New ZealandD M Lambert (Author) - University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Publication details
- Trends in Genetics, Vol.24(3), pp.106-109
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd.
- Date published
- 2008
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.tig.2007.12.002
- ISSN
- 0168-9525
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450311102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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