Newswise A lizard-like creature whose ancestors once roamed the Earth with dinosaurs and today is known to live for longer than 100 years may hold clues to a host of questions about the past and the future.
In a study published Aug. 5 in Nature, an interdisciplinary, international team of researchers, in partnership with Mori tribe Ngtiwai, sequenced, assembled and analyzed the complete genome of the Sphenodon punctatus, or the tuatara, a rare reptile whose ancestors once roamed the earth with dinosaurs. It hasnt changed much in the 150 million to 250 million years since then.
We found that the tuatara genome has accumulated far fewer DNA substitutions over time than other reptiles, and the molecular clock for tuataras ticked at a much slower speed than squamates, although faster than turtles and crocodiles, which are the real molecular slowpokes, said co-author Marc Tollis, an assistant professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems at Northern Arizona University. This means in terms of the rate of molecular evolution, tuataras are kind of the Toyota Corollanothing special but very reliable and persistently ticking away over hundreds of millions of years.
Tuatara have been out on their own for a staggering amount of time, with prior estimates ranging from 150250 million years, and with no close relatives the position of tuatara on tree of life has long been contentious. Some argue tuatara are more closely related to birds, crocodiles and turtles, while others say they stem from a common ancestor shared with lizards and snakes. This new research places tuatara firmly in the branch shared with lizards and snakes, but they appear to have split off and been on their own for about 250 million yearsa massive length of time considering primates originated about 65 million years ago, and hominids, from which humans descend, originated approximately six million years ago.
Proving the phylogenetic position of tuatara in a robust way is exciting, but we see the biggest discovery in this research as uncovering the genetic code and beginning to explore aspects of the biology that makes this species so unique, while also developing new information that will help us better conserve this taonga or special treasure, said lead author Neil Gemmell, a professor at the University of Otago.
One area of particular interest is to understand how tuataras, which can live to be more than 100 years old, achieve such longevity. Examining some of the genes implicated in protecting the body from the ravages of age found that tuatara have more of these genes than any other vertebrate species thus far examined, including humans. This could offer clues into how to increase humans resistance to the ailments that kill humans.
But the genome, and the tuatara itself, has so many other unique features all on its own. For one, scientists have found tuatara fossils dating back 150 million years, and they look exactly the same as the animals today. The fossil story dates the tuatara lineage to the Triassic Period, when dinosaurs were just starting to roam the Earth.
The tuatara genome is really a time machine that allows us to understand what the genetic conditions were for animals that were vying for world supremacy hundreds of millions of years ago, he said. A genome sequence from an animal this ancient and divergent could give us a better idea about what the ancestral amniote genome might have looked like.
While modern birds are the descendants of dinosaurs, they are less suitable for this type of research because avian genomes have lost a significant amount of DNA since diverging from their dinosaur ancestors.
But the tuataras, which used to be spread throughout the world, have other unusual features. Particularly relevant to this research is the size of its genome; the genome of this little lizard has 5 billion bases of DNA, making it 67 percent larger than a human genome. Additionally, tuataras have temperature-based sex determination, which means the ratio of males to females in a clutch of eggs depends on the temperatures at which they are incubated. They also have a pronounced third eyea light sensory organ that sticks through the top of their skulls. Mammals skulls have completely covered the third eye, though they still contain the pineal gland underneath, which helps maintain circadian rhythms.
The tuatara also is unique in that it is sacred to the Mori people. This research, for all the scientific knowledge that came from it, was groundbreaking for its collaboration with the Indigenous New Zealanders. The purpose was to ensure the research aligned with and respected the importance of the tuatara in their culture, which has never been done before in genomic research.
Tuatara are a taonga, and its pleasing to see the results of this study have now been published, Ngtiwai Trust Board resource management unit manager Alyx Pivac said. Our hope is that this is yet another piece of information that will help us understand tuatara and aid in the conservation of this special species. We want to extend a big mihi to all of those who have been involved in this important piece of work.
With the genome now sequenced, the international science community has a blueprint through which to examine the many unique features of tuatara biology, which will aid humanunderstanding of the evolution of the amniotes, a group that includes birds, reptiles and mammals.
Here is the original post:
Arizona biologist part of international team to sequence genome of rare reptilian living fossil - Newswise
- The Long Run: Life is a marathon - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Notably longer lifespan with Activated carbon also fullerenes give 36 pct to Doubled longevity - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Introduction to Life Insurance - Basic History of Life Insurance - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- 25 Ways You Can Live A Longer Life - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2012]
- Celebrating longevity: the shape of the future [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Losing pounds won’t gain you longevity [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Molecular process in fat cells that influences stress and longevity identified [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Joslin Scientists Identify Molecular Process in Fat Cells That Influences Stress and Longevity [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Join GSA in San Diego for the Nation's Premier Aging Conference! [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Need-to-know news and views for UB faculty and staff [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Eunuchs May Hold Key to Longevity [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- New Jersey Senior Care Company Teams Up with the American Society on Aging to Offer Free Continuing Education Units ... [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Buffalo Grove discusses move to merit-based raises [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Men without testicles might live longer, study suggests [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- What whales tell us about the evolution of menopause [Last Updated On: October 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2012]
- For longevity, it's the survival of the nicest Save [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2012]
- Information Nation: Digital Social Experiment to Put a Human Face on Big Data [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2012]
- The Other Side of a Businesswoman [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Dr. Mao's Wellness Living: Coping With Loneliness To Increase Longevity [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- Over The Counter: Chocolate and caffeine - good news on the healthfront [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- How Did Woman Live to 132? [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- World's 'oldest person' dies at 132 [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Sandoval says he never promised to restore state workers' pay [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- Was she really 132? World's 'oldest ever person' dies in remote Georgian village [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Local businesses honored for their longevity [Last Updated On: October 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2012]
- Living longer comes easier [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Human Life Span Took Huge Jump in Past Century [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Einstein establishes the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Human Aging Research [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- A Pig, a Girl, and a Spider: 'Charlotte's Web' at 60 [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2012]
- Modern humans found to be fittest ever at survival, by far [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- New research examines modern humans’ ability to extend lifespan [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2012]
- "Seventy-two Is the New 30": Why Are We Living So Much Longer? [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2012]
- Thanks grandma! Human longevity 'down to older females who carried on caring for their offspring's young families' [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- How Grandmothers Gave Us Longer Lives [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Humans Evolved To Live Longer Because Of Grandmothers [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Grandmas made humans live longer: Chimp lifespan evolves into human longevity, computer simulation shows [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- swissnex Connector Award- Meet Prof Joe Brain - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Castration May Lead to Longer Life for Men - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Dr Todd Ovokaitys on 2012 and Human Longevity - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- The Greatest Threat to Retirement Savings is Human Longevity - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Long for This World - trailer - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Much longer lifespan from eating Activated carbon or fullerenes (a third to 2 times longevity) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Mind Fire Trailer - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- 1st HOUR (SEE DOT, UPPER LEFT) 6/5/12 live ! VENUS TRANSIT @ 3:52pm(pst) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Resveratrol finding by Japan scientist - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- The Impact of Human Longevity On Life Insurance - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- The Mortality Revolution -- Steve Savant - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Good Guys song from Skull and Bones 2012 album entitled "Conspiracy, Aliens and Nazis" - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Changing One Codon Of Telomerase Gives Greater Human Longevity.flv - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Religion and Indefinite Life Extension - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Solving the mystery of aging: Longevity gene makes Hydra immortal and humans grow older [Last Updated On: November 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 14th, 2012]
- Human Longevity - Video [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2012]
- Single Premium Life Insurance with Living Benefits - Video [Last Updated On: November 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2012]
- Bern Shen on how technology reduces some risk and increases others - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Experts on key drivers of human longevity - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- James Heywood on what is health and how we can learn what it means - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Nick Wood on translating genetics into neurological disease and management - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Omid Farokhzad on transforming drug delivery through nano-medicine - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Elias Mossialos on health policy and innovating for longevity - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Helen Chung on health policy and longer lives - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Daniel Ryan on the role of the insurance industry funding longer lives - Video [Last Updated On: November 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2012]
- Study: Education Extends Longevity—Except for Black Males [Last Updated On: November 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2012]
- Tom Kirkwood on Understanding the links between disease and ageing - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2012]
- Christoph Nabholz on Whole genome analysis and insurance consequences - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2012]
- Daniel Ryan on Medical demands of an ageing population - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2012]
- Libertarian Life-Extension Reforms - #2 - Abolishing Medical Licensing Protectionism - Video [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2012]
- Libertarian Life-Extension Reforms - #1 - Repeal FDA Approval Requirements - Video [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2012]
- Libertarian Life-Extension Reforms - #3-4 - Abolishing Medical and Software Patent Monopolies - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2012]
- How Proposals to Raise Medicare, Social Security Ages Can Harm Americans [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2012]
- Bats offer clues to immunity, longevity [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2012]
- Biology Of Human Longevity: - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2012]
- AXA Longevity-Pr. Stephen Coles: Is there an upper limit to human longevity? - Video [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2013]
- New Buck Institute study extends life span to human equivalent of 400 to 500 years [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Human longevity: Research on animals and centenarians shows ... [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Human Mortality Database [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Biodemography of human longevity - Wikipedia, the free ... [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Longevity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Longevity Science: Unraveling the Secrets of Human Longevity ... [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2013]
- Review: Loyce Houlton's 'Nutcracker' retains its energy [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2013]