Evolutionary handicap for turtles

Article Abstract:

Genetic substructuring due to female natal homing behavior and low male- mediated gene flow between nesting sites is responsible for an evolutionary handicap in the endangered sea turtle, Caretta caretta. This evolutionary constraint results in an inability to react to abrupt changes in their habitat. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA of sea turtles in the eastern Mediterranean Sea show genetic separation between coastal areas, and between colonies from adjacent nesting sites. The preservation of the individual nesting sites is necessary for the Caretta population preservation.

Genetic aspects, Endangered species, Sea turtles

---

Luminescence dating of rock art and past environments using mud-wasp nests in northern Australia

Article Abstract:

Optical luminescence dating of pollen grains in the nests of mud-wasps in Northern Australia has been used to estimate the minimum age of aboriginal cave paintings. The ants scoop quartz-containing river muds and build nests on the rocks, some of which bear paintings. Some of the paintings in Australia's Kimberley region have been estimated to be at least 17,000 years old using the technique. It is expected that analysis of other paintings will show them to be considerably older. Optical dating measures the time since the quartz was last exposed to sunlight.

Usage, Measurement, Composition, Wasps, Varieties, Art, Australian (Aboriginal), Australian aboriginal art, Fluorimetry, Rock paintings, Rock drawings, Art, Prehistoric, Prehistoric art, Mud, Mud (Sediment)

---

Turtles as diapsid reptiles

Article Abstract:

The resemblence of turtles with the diapsid reptiles questions their inclusion in the group of anapsids. The turtles, also known as testudines, have various developmental features of skeleton formation which they share with the diapsids or the lepidosauriforms. The pattern of early ossification of the postorbital bones of the skull is similar in the testudines and the other diapsid. A true radiale in the carpus, commonly found in anapsids, is absent in the testudines. Both the turtles and the lepidosaurs develop a single proximal tarsal cartilage.

Turtles, Reptiles

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Induction of an illusionary shadow person. Exploitation of structural and regulatory diversity in glutamate racemases
• Abstracts: Population dynamics of a recolonizing wolf population. Calf harvest and reproductive rate of reindeer in Finland
• Abstracts: Population viability analysis for red-cockaded woodpeckers in the Georgia Piedmont. Bias in Canada goose population size estimates from sighting data
• Abstracts: National vandalism at the U.S. geological survey. Putting nuclear-test monitoring to the test
• Abstracts: Molecular evidence for an ancient duplication of the entire yeast genome

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.