A study by researchers at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at Oxford University has uncovered the key role played by a single gene in how groups of animals diverge to form new species. The study, published today in the journal Nature, restored fertility to the normally-infertile offspring of two subspecies of mice, by replacing part of the Prdm9 gene with the equivalent human version. Despite the nearly 150 million years of evolution separating mice and humans, these 'humanized' mice were completely fertile.
New animal species form when groups of animals become isolated and as a result, begin to separate through evolution (a process known as speciation). When these isolated populations meet later, they might be able to breed with each other, but the male offspring are often infertile. Horses and donkeys are an example of such speciation: they can interbreed, but their offspring, mules, are infertile.
http://phys.org/news/2016-02-species.html
[Abstract]: Re-engineering the zinc fingers of PRDM9 reverses hybrid sterility in mice
(Score: 2) by darkfeline on Sunday February 14 2016, @01:14AM
I'm getting some serious bestiality vibes here.
Join the SDF Public Access UNIX System today!
(Score: 3, Funny) by wonkey_monkey on Sunday February 14 2016, @01:14AM
Horses and donkeys are an example of such speciation: they can interbreed, but their offspring, mules
Why aren't they called honkeys?
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 5, Informative) by c0lo on Sunday February 14 2016, @05:10AM
A mule is the result of breeding of a donkey male with a mare. Also possible is a hinny, the offspring a female donkey and a male horse.
If you want a reform in the English language, you'll need to come with two names.
You may take inspiration from those who did it long ago: you have the chevache [photobucket.com] and then you have the vacheval [vimeo.com].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by opinionated_science on Sunday February 14 2016, @01:26AM
In the summary - "they can interbreed, but their offspring, mules, are infertile." , should read "they can interbreed, but their offspring, mules, are usually infertile."
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/B:CHRO.0000009298.02689.8a [springer.com]
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Sunday February 14 2016, @06:31AM
Better linky [wikipedia.org]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by opinionated_science on Sunday February 14 2016, @01:56PM
so can they modify the summary to reflect reality?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 14 2016, @01:32AM
"I identify as a mammal."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 14 2016, @04:09PM
I evolved, I am no longer a mammal.