Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Filtered by: Ecology & Evolution
Using genome structure, rather than gene trees, to infer relationships in ancient allopolyploid lineages
Many flowering plants are allopolyploids, meaning they arose from hybridization between different species, followed by genome doubling. Over time, gene trees for such lineages can become a hopeless tangle.
Uncinate processes, lever-like structures attached to the ribs, may have helped many dinosaurs breathe a little easier
We used tell-tale markings on ribs to show that uncinate processes were widespread in dinosaurs and their relatives, and likely represent an ancient adaptation for improved respiration that was ultimately inherited by birds.
Blog post by Yan-yin Wang, with contributions from Leon P. A. M. Claessens and Corwin Sullivan.
Losing the larval stage… one step at a time?
Amphibians have undergone important evolutionary transitions in reproductive modes and life-cycles. In our recent study, we compare large-scale macroevolutionary patterns in these transitions across the three major amphibian groups; frogs, salamanders and caecilians.
