The cataclysmic impact of a giant meteor around 65 million years ago brought an end to the reign of the majority of dinosaur species, leaving behind a void in which birds, the direct descendants of dinosaurs, emerged as thriving survivors.
This event marks a critical junction in the evolution of birds, which have since exploded into a diverse group of approximately 10,000 species today.
Scientists have long struggled to piece together a comprehensive family tree of birds to understand their evolutionary journey across millennia.
The advent of affordable DNA sequencing technologies promised a resolution to this complex puzzle, simplifying the classification process that has bewildered researchers for centuries, much like it has facilitated the understanding of lineage and relationships across a multitude of other species.
However, the avian world was not without its enigmas. Recent scientific endeavors have found that an event concurrent with the dinosaurs demise 65 million years ago had obscured the true lineage of birds.
This discovery emerged from a pair of groundbreaking research papers released on April 1, which identified a segment of one chromosome that remained in stasis, resisting the natural blending with adjacent DNA regions over the course of millions of years.
This peculiar fragment, representing a mere two percent of the entire bird genome, previously led scientists to believe that the avian family tree could be broadly divided into two major groups, with species such as flamingos and doves considered closely related evolutionary kin.
The discovery of a more precise family tree, which takes into account the deceptive nature of this genome segment, now proposes four primary avian groups and places flamingos and doves in more distant branches of the evolutionary lineage.
My lab has been chipping away at this problem of bird evolution for longer than I want to think about, said senior author Edward Braun, a professor of biology at the University of Florida. We had no idea there would be a big chunk of the genome that behaved unusually. We kind of stumbled onto it.
Decades ago, Braun and his team embarked on a journey to construct a family tree for the Neoaves, which encompasses the majority of existing bird species.
Initial analyses based on the genomes of 48 species led to the classification of the Neoaves into two overarching categories, segregating doves and flamingos into one group, with all other species in the opposing group.
A subsequent analysis involving 363 species, however, produced a divergent family tree that separated doves and flamingos into distinct categories.
Confronted with two conflicting interpretations of the avian family tree, the researchers delved deeper into the genetic data in search of clues that could clarify which version was correct.
When we looked at the individual genes and what tree they supported, all of a sudden it popped out that all the genes that support the older tree, theyre all in one spot. Thats what started the whole thing, Braun explained.
Further investigations revealed that a specific section of the bird chromosome had not undergone the expected genetic mixing through the process of recombination a fundamental mechanism in sexual reproduction that ensures genetic diversity within a species.
This suppression of recombination in a critical genome segment coinciding with the period of dinosaur extinction had caused flamingos and doves to appear more closely related than they truly are when considering the entirety of the genome.
The discovery of this anomalous genomic region, capable of misleading evolutionary analysis yet detectable more than 60 million years later, is a proof of the complexity of bird evolution and the challenges inherent in unraveling the true history of these avian descendants of dinosaurs.
Braun highlighted the potential for similar mysteries to exist within the genomes of other organisms, as yet undiscovered due to the lack of extensive genetic sequencing efforts.
We discovered this misleading region in birds because we put a lot of energy into sequencing birds genomes. I think there are cases like this out there for other species that are just not known right now, Braun concluded.
The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.
Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.
See the rest here:
Untold story of bird evolution revealed through genetics - Earth.com
- Scientists Unveil the Genetic Blueprint of Blood Pressure - SciTechDaily - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Analysis | An NIH genetics study targets a long-standing challenge: Diversity - The Washington Post - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- NSF grant to fund research on genetics and physiology of corn kernel development - Penn State University - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Honey Creek Beef farm's success spurred by focus on animal comfort, genetics and feed - Dayton Daily News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Deciphering genetic diversity in conserved cattle bulls to achieve sustainable development goals | Scientific Reports - Nature.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Research finds genetics plays bigger role in Alzheimer's than previously thought - CBS Boston - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Kids Shape Their Development to Match Genetic Tendencies - Neuroscience News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Myriad Genetics Reports Strong First Quarter 2024 Financial Results; Achieves 12% Revenue Growth Year-Over-Year ... - Yahoo Finance - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Navigating the Complexities of Payment for Genetic Testing - MedCity News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- CSHLs Gabrielle Pouchelon studies effects of sensory cues, genetics on brain development - TBR News Media - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Puberty Growth Spurts Linked to Adult Health Risks - Neuroscience News - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Liberty Hill Farm Holds Auction of Elite Genetics - ourherald.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- CRISPR gene-editing therapies need more diverse DNA to realize their full potential - Vox.com - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- An epigenome editing toolkit to dissect the mechanisms of gene regulation - EurekAlert - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Introgression and disruption of migration routes have shaped the genetic integrity of wildebeest populations - Nature.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Is Left-Handedness Tied to Your Genetics? Possibly, New Study Suggests - Technology Networks - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- A pan-genome of 69 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions reveals a conserved genome structure throughout the global ... - Nature.com - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Clemson researchers pave the way for precision medicine with AI - Clemson News - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Elects Four Highly Accomplished Medical Genetics ... - PR Newswire - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Katie Gallagher MS '15, CGC Named Director of the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah ... - Sarah Lawrence College - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- The genomic architecture of inherited DNA variants - Baylor College of Medicine | BCM - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Clemson genetics major named Truman Scholar for her work in combatting rare diseases - ABC NEWS 4 - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Otago University Discovers Cause of Rare Genetic Condition - Mirage News - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Genetic Analysis Guides Conservation of Endangered Bumble Bee - Entomology Today - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- First insights into the genetic bottleneck characterizing early sheep husbandry in the Neolithic period - EurekAlert - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Protein-truncating variants in BSN are associated with severe adult-onset obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease - Nature.com - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- A deep dive into the genetics of alcohol consumption - Medical Xpress - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Right-wing authoritarianism appears to have a genetic foundation - PsyPost - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- UC Irvine-led research team builds first tandem repeat expansions genetic reference maps - UCI News - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- A Deep Dive Into the Genetics of Alcohol Consumption - University of California San Diego - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Genetic Test for Opioid Addiction Risk Should Be Withdrawn, Experts Tell FDA - Medpage Today - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Scientists Discover 17 New Genetic Variants Linked to Alzheimer's Disease - SciTechDaily - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- An hereditary liver disease cured with the help of gene scissors - EurekAlert - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- World Anthropology Day showcases multifaceted programs | Binghamton News - Binghamton University - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Resilience to periodic disturbances and the long-term genetic stability in Acropora coral | Communications Biology - Nature.com - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Rare genetic variants found to have a large impact on obesity risk - Drug Target Review - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- INTERACT COALITION FORMED TO ADVANCE PATIENT ACCESS TO GENETIC TESTING FOR HEREDITARY ... - PR Newswire - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Christensen Genetics - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST - AGInfo Ag Information Network - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- New form of EDS identified by mutation in THBS2 gene - Ehlers-Danlos News - April 7th, 2024 [April 7th, 2024]
- Genetics of estrogen production linked to endometrial cancer risk in postmenopausal women - News-Medical.Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Cord Blood Registry (CBR) by CooperSurgical and Fulgent Genetics Launch Innovative Genetic Testing - PR Newswire - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Gene Variant Linked to Lower Levels of Hormonal Birth Control - The Scientist - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- CooperSurgical, Fulgent partner on genetic screening panels - Medical Device Network - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- UM Today | Faculty of Science | The intersection of genetics and advocacy - UM Today - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Genome-wide association study identifies human genetic variants associated with fatal outcome from Lassa fever - Nature.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Secrets of human genetics could optimize medical care - Earth.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Significance of genetic mutations in toxic tort cases - Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Why Should Farmers Invest in New Genetics? A Recent Panel Discussion Offered Some Good Reasons - Seed World - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- The Role of Genetics and Maternal Factors in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Comparative Study - Medriva - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- 'The Idea That Who You Are Is Only Genetics Is the Essence of Evil' - Books - Haaretz - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- IPK researchers provide genetic explanations for shade-induced biomass allocation in wheat - EurekAlert - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- River Valley Beef Cattle Conference to explore state of hay availability, cattle genetics and more - Stuttgart Daily Leader - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Harnessing human evolution to advance precision medicine - EurekAlert - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Twins are a mirror to each other and a window into the mysteries of genetics - WAMU 88.5 - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Unveiling the Disparity in Cardiovascular Health: Biological Factors, Dyslipidemia, and Genetics - Medriva - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Parental traits offer new clues to predicting neurodevelopmental disorders in children - News-Medical.Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Cheetahs Are Extremely Inbred: 50 Interesting Genetics Facts You May Have Missed At School - Bored Panda - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Five Best: Books on Genetics - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- 4 new US sites added to global Parkinson's genetics study - Parkinson's News Today - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Animal Genetics Market revenue to exceed USD 43.4 Billion by 2036, says Research Nester - Yahoo Finance - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Nobel Laureate and World-Renowned Geneticist to Speak at 2024 Commencement - News Center - Feinberg News Center - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Efforts are underway to improve genetics in cattle herds to better sustainability - RFD-TV - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- First report on the molecular phylogenetics and population genetics of Aedes aegypti in Iran - Parasites & Vectors - Parasites & Vectors - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- What can your DNA say about your risk of opioid addiction? - National Geographic - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study enables generational genetic discoveries - Nature.com - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Invitae Partners with BridgeBio Pharma to Harness Genetic Insights for the Discovery of Rare Disease Therapeutics - PR Newswire - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Rare disorder causing extra fingers and toes identified - EurekAlert - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Retinal OCT and Genetics Identify Links Between Ocular and Systemic Health - Photonics.com - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Researchers discover mechanism that protects tissue after faulty gene expression - News-Medical.Net - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Genetics or lifestyle: What makes the greatest difference in health? - Agweek - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Why Some Folks Get COVID, and Others Never Do - HealthDay - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- From plant genetics to fresh produce to be showcased in Berlin - FreshPlaza.com - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Adolescent Stress Alters Brain Genes, Affecting Adult Behavior - Neuroscience News - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Significance of genetic mutations in toxic tort cases - Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- New genetic test in England aims to make blood transfusions safer - Sickle Cell Disease News - February 4th, 2024 [February 4th, 2024]
- Unlocking tree genetic diversity: advanced hyperspectral phenotyping for enhanced Scots pine selection - EurekAlert - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- The Role of Genetics in Cancer Care Continues to Expand - OncLive - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Family faces multiple diagnoses for genetic condition NF1 - Sanford Health News - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Unique gene variants tied to glaucoma found in Black patients - Livescience.com - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Myriad Genetics to Acquire Precise Tumor, Precise Liquid and Laboratory from Intermountain Precision Genomics - GlobeNewswire - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]