I cannot be reborn as a velociraptor, but I can study lizard behaviour and coloration. Close enough.
Javier Abalos
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High-energy particles streaming through space can damage DNA and increase cancer risk, but antioxidants, tardigrades and hibernation could help astronauts make the journey safely.
Two new Science studies on lizard coloration reveal how a delicate interplay of genetics, environment, and social dynamics can either preserve or erase polymorphic diversity in species.
📄: https://scim.ag/4srYKHi
📄: https://scim.ag/4qCcsWn
How does development shape skull evolution? In lizards, neural crest–derived skull bones drive rapid sexually selected shape change within species but show long-term constraint, revealing developmental bias linking micro- and macroevolution. Image Credit: Wikimedia
academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...
It is out, it is out! Our study on neural crest cells and micro to macroevolution in lizard skull 🦎
🧪 Check this if you are interested in the convoluted evolution of lacertid colours. Yes, I know, we missed a unique opportunity opportunity to call the phenomenon "Chromatic Barrier of the Appennines", which totally sounds like a badass DnD spell.
#evolution #colsci #lizard #sexualselection
🦚🔪"The Handicap Principle [HP] is the only theory in modern biology to our knowledge that is anti-Darwinian... The time is long overdue to reject HP/costly signalling paradigm... the longest non-Darwinian detour in the history of modern biology"
Se acaba de publicar cierto artículo de la ganadora del I concurso de comunicación científica de la @ucciuv.bsky.social, @bartolomealicia.bsky.social #ciencia #divulgacion #reptiles #bienestaranimal
theconversation.com/reptiles-los...
Today I found out that the sex pheromones of Aplysia (a genus of extremely large sea slugs) are called:
• Enticin 🌶️
• Attractin 👁️🫦👁️
• Temptin 🌺
• Seductin 🔥
And I find that wonderful. Please vote for your favorite. Credits to Trystam Wyatt's book on Pheromones and Animal Behavior.
#ethology
Lizards and the colors we can’t see! 🦎✨ Juvenile Podarcis muralis undergo ontogenetic color changes that are invisible to humans but perceptible to conspecifics, likely functioning as social signals. #Herpetology
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
🦎THREAD: We just published something wild in @asn-amnat.bsky.social - lizards missing entire limbs not only survive, but some appear to actually thrive in the wild?!
Let me tell you about the "three-legged pirate" lizards 🏴☠️
[Paper: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/... ]
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High-energy particles streaming through space can damage DNA and increase cancer risk, but antioxidants, tardigrades and hibernation could help astronauts make the journey safely.
Abstract. Honest signals have long posed a challenge for evolutionary biologists to explain. Here we propose a general Darwinian theory of signalling, Sign
Tenemos una percepción estereotipada de los reptiles como animales extraños y poco inteligentes que no se corresponde con la realidad y que puede influir en el trato deficiente que reciben en cautivid...
How does development shape skull evolution? In lizards, neural crest–derived skull bones drive rapid sexually selected shape change within species but show long-term constraint, revealing developmental bias linking micro- and macroevolution. Image Credit: Wikimedia
academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...
Interactions similar to rock-paper-scissors help maintain color diversity in some lizard species, but the introduction of a dominant new phenotype can disrupt this balance and lead to color loss. doi.org/hbhxh4
James T. Stroud
Two new studies into lizard colors reveal how one species maintains its colorful diversity while others are losing their ancient colors.
