Three-spined stickleback fish have inhabited freshwater lakes in the Haida Gwaii archipelago off the coast of British Columbia for thousands of years. A new study that combines genetic analysis with a 19-year-long selection experiment tells the story of how the sticklebacks evolved to adapt their vision to each of their unique lakewater conditions. Some of […]
Tag: evolutionary biology
The effect of European settlement on the immune system genes of Canadian First Nations population
Changes in immune system genes of First Nations people in coastal British Columbia may be linked to epidemics associated with the arrival of Europeans in early 19th century. A new study analyzes DNA samples from individuals in modern-day Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla First Nations, as well as DNA from individuals who inhabited the region as […]
Older bonobos might need reading glasses, too
Bonobos may not ever encounter indistinguishable writing on a label or small print in a book, but they could still benefit from a pair of reading glasses. A new study found that a similar kind of age-related long-sightedness that affects humans also influences the quality of life for bonobos. But instead of the mild inconvenience […]