Orca:
[IMG]http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6999/orcac.jpg[/IMG]
Pygmy Orca: ? (I can't find any confirmed pictures of [I]true[/I] Dwarf Orca's and I don't want to give you the wrong picture because there are multiple species of dwarf whales out there, Including a Dwarf Killer Whale, and a False Killer whale, neither are related to orcas.)
[release][B]Orcas, commonly known as killer whales, are still evolving, and quickly.[/B]
Researchers have discovered that two distinct types of orca, a large and a pygmy form, are rapidly diverging, evolving away from each other.
The scientists' study reveals each type of orca carries a unique gene mutation that benefits its particular lifestyle.
The genetic change has occurred in the past 150,000 years, adding to evidence that the orcas are quickly evolving into two distinct species.
Details of the research are published in the journal Biology Letters by an international team of scientists led by orca expert Dr Andrew Foote of the Natural History Museum of Denmark based at the University of Copenhagen.
[B]Energetic lifestyles[/B]
The orcas studied live in Antarctic waters, and are known as type B and type C orcas.
Type Bs are one of the largest forms of orca known and primarily feed on seals.
Type Cs, in contrast, are known as a dwarf-form of orca, and feed mainly on fish.
These differences in size and diet, as well as each type having distinct markings, has led Dr Foote and colleagues to previously propose that they could be two separate species.
Genetic evidence now backs that idea.
Dr Foote and his team analysed the mitochondrial genomes of 15 type B and 36 type C orcas, specifically looking at a gene known as cytochrome B, a gene that plays a significant role in the orca's mitochondria, the structures within cells that govern energy production and metabolism.
They found that type B and type C orcas have evolved different amino acids within this gene, that affect its performance.
All type B orcas have replaced one type of amino acid with another at a place on the gene known as site 279, and type Cs had replaced another amino acid at site 193.
"The mutation has spread throughout each type, so that all type B individuals we analysed the DNA for had the mutation and almost all of the type C individuals had the other mutation," says Dr Foote.
He explains how this mutation could be benefiting each type of orca.
"The gene under selection is important in producing energy for the body's cells, and so the mutations are probably linked to the metabolic requirements of these two types.
"Both types live in the Antarctic pack ice and therefore the low temperature of this habitat could be one selective pressure.
But the two mutations should have the opposite effect on metabolism to one another suggesting divergent evolution."
For example, type C is a dwarf killer whale morph reaching lengths of just over 6m, whereas type B is one of the largest killer whale morphs, being up to 50% larger than type C.
"So body size could also be the selective force on the gene linked to metabolism," Dr Foote told the BBC.
Neither mutation can be found in what is thought to be the mitochondrial genome of the orcas' recent ancestor.
That suggests the natural selection has fixed these mutations very quickly, and they appeared since type B and type C orcas diverged from their most recent common ancestor 150,000 years ago.
[URL]http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8959000/8959574.stm[/URL]
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Score one for Evolution. :science:
This shit needs to be moved to the News section.
Inb4 evolution debate.
in after inb4 evolution debate
well lets get this flame war started
I'd rather this be moved to the news section before anything get's to heated. Moderator has been informed but It might take awhile...
I always find these rapidly evolving animals so cool. It's almost like I'm watching a thousand year process in less than 10.
Reminds me of those birds that are like the fastest evolving species on the planet.
[QUOTE=Rubs10;24581311]I always find these rapidly evolving animals so cool. It's almost like I'm watching a thousand year process in less than 10.
Reminds me of those birds that are like the fastest evolving species on the planet.[/QUOTE]
What bird? Link please, I too love animals rapidly evolving.
do you guys think we will evolve?
Kickass. I'm posting in here before it becomes a "take that religion" shit-thread. Although I am not Religious.
[editline]09:43PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=bazyboy;24581337]do you guys think we will evolve?[/QUOTE]
Absolutely. It will take time, obviously, but it will happen.
[QUOTE=bazyboy;24581337]do you guys think we will evolve?[/QUOTE]
Evolution happens over thousands of years. It just doesn't happen over night.
[QUOTE=OvB;24581360]Evolution happens over thousands of years. It just doesn't happen over night.[/QUOTE]
Can happen over night.
Huh? The human race is evolving!
[QUOTE=L'ordinateur;24581392]Can happen over night.[/QUOTE]
Not any noticeable physical changes.
[QUOTE=L'ordinateur;24581392]Can happen over night.[/QUOTE]
not any noticeable change unless we all had a massive orgy and at the same time had the kkk kill every baby that came out that they dont like
[QUOTE=OvB;24581416]Not any noticeable physical changes.[/QUOTE]
Who notices shit anyways. Am I right?
[editline]09:47PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=imasillypiggy;24581423]not any noticeable change unless we all had a massive orgy and at the same time had the kkk kill every baby that came out that they dont like[/QUOTE]
Lol what the fuck?
The word species isn't really defined at all... Its pretty arbitrary.
[QUOTE=sgman91;24581441]The word species isn't really defined at all... Its pretty arbitrary.[/QUOTE]
yes it is. its a group of organism that can inbread
I don't think that we'll evolve soon at any rate. Not only does it take millions of years for a very defined outline to occur, but the population is too large to have an impact on the gene pool.
[QUOTE=imasillypiggy;24581461]yes it is. its a group of organism that can inbread[/QUOTE]
There are plenty of different species that can make fertile offspring.
[QUOTE=imasillypiggy;24581461]yes it is. its a group of organism that can inbread[/QUOTE]
Mmmm... InBread.
[QUOTE=OvB;24581533]Mmmm... InBread.[/QUOTE]
I can in bread.
[QUOTE=sgman91;24581523]There are plenty of different species that can make fertile offspring.[/QUOTE]
Species is typically defined as genetically similar organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
Can you please show me examples of an animal that is able to reproduce, but is the offspring of two different species?
Wow, that's pretty awesome.
I love Orcas. :3:
[QUOTE=I Broke The Sun!;24581645]Species is typically defined as genetically similar organisms that can reproduce to produce fertile offspring.
Can you please show me examples of an animal that is able to reproduce, but is the offspring of two different species?[/QUOTE][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canid_hybrid[/url] ?
I am catholic and what is this?
Just kidding, I may be catholic but I do believe in evolution. This is an interesting read.
God was bored. He did it.
Orcas :3:
Interesting read.
I'm not sure evolution will work with humans anymore do to our almost full lack of natural selection.
[QUOTE=Viper the Tiger;24582827]I'm not sure evolution will work with humans anymore do to our almost full lack of natural selection.[/QUOTE]
There are other ways evolution can work other than natural selection. If our environment is a city and we're so adapt at technology we'll probably evolve a greater brain capacity and less use for bulky muscles. In fact I can see us further down the line as tall, slender humanoids with dexterous fingers and larger heads.
That in itself is scary because that's very similar to the whole "grey alien" look.
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