#365papers for March 25, 2017
What’s it about?
This paper considers the complex shape of rodent molars. They show through gene manipulation how the complex rodent tooth came from a simpler, basic mammal shape. All that was required was to change the timing and duration of a single gene.
Why does it matter?
This shows that what appear to be complex evolutionary changes can be accomplished quite simply.
Why did I read this?
I did not know this was going to be an embryology-slash-gene paper. I just wanted to read something about the evolution of rodent teeth because I was in that kind of mood.
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 