As human kind has evolved and further explored the scientific world, the use of animal models has allowed an understanding of biology never before seen throughout time. The most common animal model, the mouse, has been studied so vigorously, including transgenic and knockout strains,1 that a new strain of ‘super-mouse’ is being designed with excessively fast reproductive time, large litters, and more factors that in turn, essentially make it the perfect animal model.1 However, research is drifting from the use of this small mammalian creature towards other, more complex, species; one of which being the Anolis carolinensis, otherwise known as the Green Anole Lizard. A. carolinensis has become the frontrunner of genomic sequencing for the Class …show more content…
carolinensis. Therefore, despite being such a small lizard, A. carolinensis has made an incredible impact in the scientific realm. Although genomic sequencing has advanced ten-fold throughout the 21st Century, there has been little focus on non-avian reptiles3 until A. carolinensis became the first non-avian reptile to have its entire genome sequenced and published in 2011.5,6 Native to North America,5 A. carolinensis are an incredibly abundant species of amniotic vertebrates4 and have been …show more content…
carolinensis is such a popular animal model that many research articles have been published around the experimentation. Elizabeth Hutchins (2014) focused on the regenerative abilities found in the lizard’s tail and the cells that worked specifically during the process. The study used a variety of experimental methods to collect data including; applying pressure to their tails until they were released, this site of release was sampled and analysed with RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, etc. to isolate different cells, and therefore regenerative processes.4 Ultimately, the regenerative tail of A. carolinensis showed a multitude of genes being activated that are specific to wound healing and musculoskeletal development pathways.4 Skeletal and cartilage growth occurred along the entire length of the tail and there was no localised bundle of proliferative cells, alongside a highly vascular distal end;4 all different mechanisms to the localised, distally avascular mechanism found in anamniotic vertebrates.4 This stem and progenitor cell based process is therefore quite different to the previously studied ‘blastema-based model’ of regeneration in the commonly studied anamniotes: zebrafish and salamanders, providing insight into application to further medical regenerative possibilities in humans.4 Using A. carolinensis provided a prominent advantage to the study due to the previously highly developed genetic knowledge, ease of replenishing populations, and habitual
In the beginning, the author introduces the nutria rat also known as coypu, it was first brought into the U.S. in 1899 in California for the fur industry. These creatures now live in 15 other states including Louisiana. They were released into “Louisiana wild by state and federal agencies to provide a new fur resource and to control problem plants such as the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)” ( 1). It did not take long for them
With nearly 84% of its natural habitat gone, it is no wonder Reithrodontyms Raviventris finds itself on the endangered species
The New Caledonian Crested Gecko is one of the most sought out reptiles in the herptoculture hobby today. This medium-sized gecko has all the qualities of what to expect of a pet lizard. They combine their sheer beauty and low maintenance and docile tempers, making it an all around great pet to own (Rhacodactylus, p. 16). In the herpetological society, the crested gecko’s popularity has grown above hobbyist, into the hands of many first time pet owners, giving a first time experience made easy. According to Fester, (2007) “the rare Crested Gecko thought to be extinct but rediscovered in New Caledonia in 1994” (fester’ at Ireland
Yeah, when you’re putting together a range bag it’s pretty obvious you need a bag. And for all intents and purposes, anything short of a plastic grocery bag will tote your gear (if you don’t mind being pointed at and mocked). But if you’re serious about shooting you should spend a bit of coin on your range bag and get something that suits your needs and will last you a few trips.
Adaptive radiation of different organisms have occurred throughout geological time through the filling of ecological niches. Organisms different from one another are capable of radiating greatly, as they evolve traits that allow them to thrive better in their environment. The Anolis lizards of the Caribbean islands are a great example of a single genus to have radiated not once, but multiple times through very similar mechanisms. Different populations of the Anolis phenotypically vary in their morphological traits to facilitate adaptation to particular niches. These phenotypic variations have evolved in convergence in more than one occasion, as recently discovered fossil specimens show similar patterns in morphology to modern Anolis.
The Ogio Golf Men's Grom Stand Bag comes in five distinctive retro shading mixes. The Ogio mark name has been a pioneer in golf frill throughout recent decades. This Grom Stand Bag demonstrates to us why Ogio has possessed the capacity to keep such a solid toehold in the golf showcase. This pack is produced using only the most elevated quality materials. The main prominent element about this golf pack is the 14 way, "Jewel," stand beat that has singular area for each of your clubs.
Population bottlenecks occur when a population undergoes a large reduction in size as a result of environmental events or human activities. As a result, genetic variation may decrease as certain alleles may be over presented, under presented, or completely absent. Consequently, the genetic variation may continue to decline throughout subsequent generations as smaller populations, with less genetic diversity, sexually reproduce, passing on a limited amount of genes to future offspring. Furthermore, heterozygosity in these populations may decrease as a result of inbreeding. Inbreeding occurs when two closely related individuals reproduce; inbreeding may cause the accumulation of homozygous recessive genes and a decrease in genetic variation. Additionally, infrequently occurring alleles, rather than common alleles, may face a greater chance of being lost, which may further decrease the level of genetic diversity. As the population continues to decline, the genetic drift may be intensified as a result of increasing genetic limitations. Similarly, Rubin et al. (2001) compared smaller, isolated populations of Blanding’s turtles found in the Greater Chicago area to larger populations found in Michigan, Nova Scotia and Wisconsin, and determined, by using amplified polymorphic DNA, that the smaller populations had a loss of genetic variation in comparison to the
A member of the chelonian family Chelydridae, the common snapping turtle was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish botanist and zoologist Carolus Linnaeus. Currently regarded as having stable population levels, the species is, nevertheless, heavily exploited with documented population declines in some portions of its range.
Among a substantially diverse quantity of mammals, particularly those found in Texas, from which one can choose, the Virginia Opossum is probably among the least appealing. However, when researched, this particular animal is surprisingly notable for the vast amount of peculiarities it possesses. Among those peculiarities, the most evident one is their classification. Indeed, although for the average public the Virginia opossum is often considered a rodent, the reality could not be further from that. Instead, the Virginia Opossum classifies as a marsupial. However, these mammals are not to be confused with kangaroos or koalas. What makes the Virginia opossum part of the Marsupialia infraclass is the pouch in which they finalize the growth of
Ever since Charles Darwin’s first publication of “On the Origin of Species” in 1859, island habitats have been used by a number of scientists as the most efficient laboratories to observe the natural process of evolution taking place in modern-day organisms. Several kilometers northeast of the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin famously performed his research, is a small group of islands in the Sea of Cortés, also known as the Gulf of California, between the Baja California peninsula and Mexico (see Figure 1 on page 18). Here many evolutionary biologists of the 20th and 21st century performed research on the insular organisms inhabiting these island habitats. One group of lizards in particular known by the common name chuckwallas has gained a lot of focus in evolutionary research.
The article focuses on the description and biology of the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard, and why they differ from an ordinary lizard. The Pygmy Short-horned Lizard is the smallest of the horned lizards and it hardly exceeds 6 cm from snout to tail. Compared to other armoured horned lizards, the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard has relatively small horns on its head and body. The colour and pattern vary within the species; however, the colour typically blends with its environment, making it extremely difficult to detect when it is motionless. This is a type of protection it uses to protect from its preys. The tail of the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard is short and is incapable of regrowth if lost, unlike the tails of many other lizards. Also unlike some other lizards that lay eggs, the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard is viviparous. This means it gives birth to fully developed live young, and the newborns resemble adult lizards that are smaller and not fully developed horns (Hong 2009). Question: What are possible explanations for the eradication of the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard in Canada?
The Amur Leopard is one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world. The Turtleback
In the early 20th century a Russian American named Alexander A. Maximow, established the theory that every cell comes from a precursor cell. Maximow was deeply involved in histology, the study of plant and animal tissue. Being the first to show that blood cells come from a common precursor cell, he is given the most credit in discovering what is known as stem cells (source #7). Stem cells have the ability to change into other cells such as blood, bone, tissue, and muscle cells. Researchers are trying to better understand these foundation cells to create cures and treatments for diseases and injuries. The report will be based on two articles. The next point will evaluate each source. Afterwards, the following information will
The concept of live birth in groups other than mammals has fascinated scientists for decades. One particularly interesting group that has captured the attention of the scientific community is the order Squamata, which includes all lizards and snakes. This group displays a variety of reproduction modes ranging from oviparity to oviparity with egg guarding to viviparity. Of the many squamate species, approximately 20% exhibit viviparous reproduction. Interestingly, the viviparous species of the lizard families Iguandiae and Scincidae and the snake families Colubridae and Viperidae comprise 71% of all viviparous species present on earth today (Andrews and Mathies 2000). Such irregular distribution has led to many questions regarding the evolution of viviparity in this group, with lizard species being an especially examined sub-group.
First finding: “Msx genes are essential in ectomesodermal interactions to mediate cellular proliferation and differentiation during limb formation, AEC formation, and limb patterning. Second finding, “overexpressed Msx1 (Hox7) in hindlimb regeneration in a transgenic Xenopus model (M1) resulted in higher proliferation rate in both BCs and AEC, thickened wound epithelium, and more regenerated toes in M1 compared with WT animals in stage 54”(5).