“It makes me feel more secure that even though their gene pool may be small, that it's sufficient.” A new study shows that two captive birds had only maternal DNA and survived early development—a first for the critically endangered species. (From 2021)
Specifically, it was also the first time scientists have observed avian parthenotes—the offspring—that reached maturity, though neither of these chicks lived long enough to reproduce. One chick that Chemnick discovered in the records, SB260, was born in 2001 and released into the wild about a year and half later. But it died in 2003, weak and probably undernourished, before it reached sexual maturity. The other, SB517, hatched in 2009 and remained in captivity.
Most vertebrates reproduce sexually, mixing genetic information from male and female partners to create offspring with a new combination of genes. This arrangement has some utility: If an embryo inherits a faulty copy of a gene from one parent, the copy from the other parent can compensate. Unlike humans, for birds it’s the egg, not the sperm, that dictates the sex of the embryo. For that reason, scientists use a different naming system for their chromosomes. A female has ZW chromosomes, while a male has ZZ. If a female reproduces asexually, that means she can only create a WW or ZZ embryo. But a WW in birds wouldn’t create a viable embryo, so all avian parthenotes that survive to the egg phase and beyond have to be ZZ—male.
Booth and Chapman say that parthenogenesis is probably much more common than scientists realize, but it’s hard to study because it’s usually only identified by accident. It’s rare to have an extensive database of genetic information about all the members of any species living in the wild. Parthenogenesis is more likely to be spotted in animals in captivity, says Chapman, because they are more carefully monitored.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Structural insights into inhibitor regulation of the DNA repair protein DNA-PKcs - NatureA paper in Nature reveals the high-resolution cryoEM structure of DNA-PKcs in complex with inhibitors, providing insights into their mode of action and specificity, to help the discovery of new cancer drugs targeting DNA-PKcs
Consulte Mais informação »
Cold case rape, murder of 14-year-old Atlanta girl solved with DNA, APD saysAtlanta police say detectives believe they have identified the man responsible for the 1995 cold case rape and murder of Nacole Smith and a 2004 East Point sexual assault.
Consulte Mais informação »
Monster Brings New Earbuds, Bluetooth Speakers To DNA Lineup | Digital TrendsMonster has partnered with a new company to produce the next additions to its DNA line of headphones and speakers. These are its first products.
Consulte Mais informação »
Atlanta’s School Girl Killer Finally Unmasked After DNA BreakthroughPolice say they know who raped and killed 14-year-old Nacole Smith in 1995, then raped another girl, 13-year-old Betty Brown, almost a decade later.
Consulte Mais informação »
As Splice Sounds Populate Hit Songs by Dua Lipa, Doja Cat and Justin Bieber, CEO Steve Martocci Breaks Down Its DNAEven if you’ve never heard of splice, you’ve heard its sounds in hit songs by Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber & more. In the latest episode of the StrictlyBusiness podcast, founder and CEO Steve Martocci (smart) talks to Variety’s shirleyhalperin.
Consulte Mais informação »
‘I grew up thinking we were the perfect family’: A DNA test revealed I was the product of an affair. Am I entitled to a share of my biological father’s estate?‘My siblings have counseled me to consider what I may be entitled to as an inheritance, as this man is actually very well off.’
Consulte Mais informação »