200 years after Darwin, this is how the iconic Galapagos finches are still evolving - T... - 0 views
-
Lottie Peppers on 27 Apr 16In a study published Thursday in the journal Science, they report that they've pinpointed the bit of finch DNA behind the swift transition: a gene called HMGA2. In finches, HMGA2 seems to be the primary factor in beak size - like a really good group project leader, it orchestrates the expression of a number of other genes, each of which tweaks the size of the bird's beak. The same gene also appears in dogs, horses, even humans, holding sway over body size and stature.