Long-period astronomical forcing of mammal turnover
Article Abstract:
An exceptionally long, dense, and well-dated terrestrial record of rodent lineages from central Spain was used to show the existence of turnover cycles with periods of 2.4-2.5 and 1.0 Myrs. The results suggest that the prolonged absence of extreme summer conditions-characterized by strong evaporation-that normally occur during strong precession minima favors lake extension and leads to an increase of both wet-adapted small-mammal lineages and total diversity during minimum eccentricity.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2006
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Wrapping the armadillo's penis
Article Abstract:
Research has indicated that the penis of the nine-banded armadillo is reinforced by investing fibres which run orthogonally to its long axis, rather than helically. This is the first biological structure in which this pattern has been identified. It is likely that all mammalian penises are wrapped in this way, with the orthogonal orientation of the collagen fibres in the tunica albuginea being the same. However, very little research work has been undertaken on this subject.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
High-level similarity of dentitions in carnivorans and rodents
Article Abstract:
Homology-free techniques are introduced to measure the phenotypic complexity of the three-dimensional shape of tooth crowns in carnivorans and rodents. The results have shown that scale-independent forces can determine the high-level dental shape in lineages that are widely divergent in size, ecology and life history.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Controlling polymer shape through the self-assembly of dendritic side-groups. Qa-2 molecules are peptide receptors of higher stringency than ordinary class I molecules
- Abstracts: Historical and experimental learned predator recognition in free-living New Zealand robins. Physiological dependence on copulation in parthenogenetic females can reduce the cost of sex
- Abstracts: The long-term strength of Europe and its implications for plate-forming processes. Asia squeezes Europe's lead in science
- Abstracts: Global warming and the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Channelling cold reception
- Abstracts: Survival, movements, and breeding of released Hawaiian geese: an assessment of the reintroduction program. Snags, cavity-nesting birds, and silvicultural treatments in western Oregon