This item may be of interest for the scientifically minded ...
Regards, Laurie.
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v442/n7102/full/442515a.html
Nature 442, 515-516(3 August 2006) | doi:10.1038/442515a; Published
online 2 August 2006
Evolutionary biology: How to build a longer beak
Nipam H. Patel
Abstract
Evolutionary changes in the beaks of Darwin's finches have been
instrumental in the adaptive radiation of these birds. The molecular
basis for variation in beak size and shape is opening up to
investigation.
A classic illustration of nature's ability to generate morphological
diversity comes from the finches that inhabit the Galapagos Islands.
The beak shapes of these finches are remarkably diverse, and as
described on page 563 of this issue Abzhanov and colleagues have
uncovered one of the mechanisms involved in achieving this. They have
compared beak development of several finch species at the molecular
level. In combination with experimental analyses in chickens, they show
that changes in calcium-dependent molecular signalling during
development are involved in the evolution of beak shape.
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