Posted on 12/09/2003 7:47:21 AM PST by PatrickHenry
In what has been described as the "perfect experiment," evolutionary biologists at the University of Chicago replaced a single gene in fruit flies and discovered a mechanism by which two different "races" begin to become different species, with one group adapted to life in the tropics and the other suited to cooler climates. The tropical group was more tolerant of starvation but less tolerant of cold. The temperate group was less able to resist starvation but better adapted to cool weather.
The altered gene also changed the flies' pheromones, chemical signals that influence mating behavior. As a result, the researchers show in the Dec. 5 issue of Science, the two groups of flies are not only fit for different environments but may also be on their way to sexual isolation, a crucial divide in the emergence of a new species.
"This study directly connects genetics with evolution," said Chung-I Wu, Ph.D., professor and chairman of ecology and evolution at the University of Chicago and director of the study. For the first time, we were able to demonstrate the vast importance in an evolutionary context of a small genetic change that has already occurred in nature."
"We had the luxury," added co-author Tony Greenberg, Ph.D., a postdoctoral student in Wu's laboratory, "of watching the essential event in Darwinian evolution, the first step in the origin of a new species. We were quite impressed, that this simple alteration played such a dramatic role, both adapting flies to a new environment and changing their sex appeal. Once two groups become sexually isolated, there's no turning back."
The scientists used a new technique to knock out one gene from fruit flies and then replace it with one of two slightly different versions of the same gene.
They focused on a gene called desaturase2 that plays a role in fat metabolism. Flies from Africa and the Caribbean, where there is tremendous competition for food but cold temperatures are not a problem, have one version of ds2. Flies from cooler climates, where there is less competition for food but greater temperature variation, have a smaller, inactive version of ds2.
The same gene plays a role in the production of cuticular hydrocarbons -- waxy, aromatic compounds that coat the abdomen of female flies. A male fly, in a romantic mood, strokes the female's abdomen with his feet, which have sensors that recognize specific hydrocarbons, like a perfume.
In a previous report, Wu's laboratory found most males with the temperate version of the ds2 gene preferred females with the same gene; tropical males preferred tropical females.
"Developing increased cold tolerance was an important step for flies that migrated out of Africa to Europe and Asia," Wu said. The change in pheromones, which altered patterns of sexual attraction, "was a by-product of adaptation to colder weather."
Fruit flies have a migratory history similar to humans. They originated in Africa, spread to Europe and Asia and went on to populate the world. As with humans, there is greater diversity within African flies than between flies from Africa and other continents.
Although fruit flies have been a favorite model for the study of genetics since the early 20th century, recognition of consistent differences between tropical and temperate flies came only in 1995. The discovery, however, "has allowed a lot of analysis of the evolution of adaptive traits," Wu said.
"But this was the first time we have been able to study the process from the very beginning," he added, "to watch the first steps as one species begins to split into two, then seals the bargain by increasing sexual isolation. This is the essence of biodiversity."
Additional authors include Jennifer Moran from the Wu lab and Jerry Coyne of the University of Chicago. The National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation funded the study.
Well, that's OK. I'm not selling anything here.
For what it is worth; I have, honestly, never encountered anyone that denies the existance of genes.
You say they are everywhere, but; either cannot, or will not tell me where I can find even one. Please provide any supporting, or confirming evidence of gene denial.
"I don't spend a lot of time trying to convince anyone what they should believe."
You have spent a fair amount of time, right here, trying to convince others what not to believe. To what end do you weaken another man's faith?
Because I request supporting evidence, you don't think I'm serious.
Are you channeling Junior?
Now there are two.............
Sometimes folks actually are doing something OTHER than sitting in front of their terminal..
;^)
Now you're just being mean. ;)
And now there are 2.
From the quote I provided with that statement. Here it is again:
"Think about it Christians, as you lie to your young children this season, just so you can see the 'look on their little faces'"
But, we digress....
If others choose to believe the sky is green, what difference does it make to you?
Do you wish to prevent me from telling lies to my children?
To what end do weaken another man's faith?
I'm sorry, I don't know a 'Junior'.
Well, has it?
...two different "races" BEGIN to become different species, Emphasis mine. Did you notice these qualifiers?
Maybe these scientists should take these qualifiers out, if they are claiming speciation?
Also, how can this be a "perfect" experiment of evolution, if a supremely unnatural process is part of this experiment?
After all, in nature, you don't have some creative scientist tinkering with the original organism's software--
Now, do we?
Sir, I have never jumped on you. Never. I have been abundantly civil, with a sincere curiosity.
Please disregard my prior queries, and let's just leave it at that.
Please tell me if I am understanding you correctly, and; I mean no inference or criticism...I just wish to understand.
Are you saying that, for evangelical reasons, it is appropriate to weaken another man's faith?
If the Confederate Stated of America had won the war, the people of the USA may have been repulsed and decided not to marry anyone from the South and vice versa.
Would that make them separate species? ;-)
(Thought I'd let you know I'm still seeing it fit to survive, myself.)
My decimaled FRiend: no human-to-mollusk mutations, please.
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