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In matters of sexual differentiation the tree frog is still something of a greenhorn

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21.10.2008

Sexual differentiation

The European tree frog (Hyla arborea) possesses a genetic system of sexual differentiation that developed only two or three million years ago.

By way of comparison: the corresponding system in humans - the X and Y chromosomes - developed just under 300 million years ago. This suggests that nature offers different approaches to solving an apparently simple problem, i.e. that of producing individuals of different sex.

In addition, the investigation of tree frog genes by SNSF-funded researchers at the University of Lausanne's Department of Ecology and Evolution shows that the commonly accepted theory of the development of chromosomes for sexual differentiation is incomplete.

Contact:
Prof. Nicolas Perrin
Abteilung für Ökologie und Evolution
Universität Lausanne
Le Biophore
CH-1015 Lausanne
Phone: 021 692 41 84
E-Mail: nicolas.perrin@unil.ch

Source: Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Further information: www.snf.ch

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