XRHAH@SCFVM.GSFC.NASA.GOV (Herbert A. Huston) (04/17/91)
Are there any other neotenous vertebrates besides axolotls, domestic dogs, and humans? -- Herb Huston -- NASA Center for Computational Sciences -- Goddard Space Flight Center -- Internet: XRHAH@SCFVM.GSFC.NASA.GOV -- Ameche: (301) 286-7803 -- Snail: Code 931, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
karl@quercus.gsfc.nasa.gov (Karl Anderson) (04/17/91)
In article <4941@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov>, XRHAH@SCFVM.GSFC.NASA.GOV (Herbert A. Huston) writes: |> Are there any other neotenous vertebrates besides axolotls, domestic |> dogs, and humans? Several other species of salamanders (e.g. _Amphiuma_ spp.) are often presented in the literature as examples of neoteny. The so-called pygmy chimpanzee, or bonobo (_Pan paniscus_) is considered neotenous relative to the common chimp (_Pan troglodytes_). Steve Gould (1977) believes that neoteny is very common, arguing for example that chordates (from which vertebrates presumably arose) had their origin in the tadpole-like larvae of tunicates. Gould, S.J. 1977. _Ontogeny and Phylogeny_. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA. -- Karl A. Anderson | Internet: karl@forest.gsfc.nasa.gov NASA/GSFC code 923 (STX) | voice: (301) 286-3815 Greenbelt, MD 20771 | #include "std_disclaimer"
lecl@quads.uchicago.edu (elizabeth e. leclair) (04/18/91)
In article <4941@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov> XRHAH@SCFVM.GSFC.NASA.GOV (Herbert A. Huston) writes: >Are there any other neotenous vertebrates besides axolotls, domestic dogs, >and humans? > 1) Are there *any* neotenous vertebrates? How is this demonstrated? 2) Is neoteny a process, the resulting effect, or both? 3) Devil's Advocate Question: Is there anythign which is *not* neotenous in SOME way relative to an ancestor (i.e. retains the juvenile characteristic int eh sexually mature adult.) -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Elizabeth E. LeClair [lecl@midway.uchiacgo.edu <<<<<<<<<<< "The love of the body of man or woman balks account, the body itself balks account, that of the male is perfect, and that of the female is perfect." -W. Whitman
zlraa@marlin.jcu.edu.au (Ross Alford) (04/18/91)
In <1991Apr17.232559.7845@midway.uchicago.edu> lecl@quads.uchicago.edu (elizabeth e. leclair) writes: >In article <4941@dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov> XRHAH@SCFVM.GSFC.NASA.GOV (Herbert A. Huston) writes: >>Are there any other neotenous vertebrates besides axolotls, domestic dogs, >>and humans? >> > 1) Are there *any* neotenous vertebrates? How is this demonstrated? > 2) Is neoteny a process, the resulting effect, or both? > 3) Devil's Advocate Question: Is there anythign which is *not* > neotenous in SOME way relative to an ancestor (i.e. retains the > juvenile characteristic int eh sexually mature adult.) I already replied to the original poster via mail, but couldn't resist: Re (1): It was demonstrated via controlled lab & field experiments, and exists for certain in several species of salamanders. See for example Harris, R. N. 1987. Density-dependent paedomorphosis in the salamander _Notophthalmus_ _viridescens_ _dorsalis_. Ecology 68:705-712. Harris, R. N. 1989. Ontogenetic changes in size and shape of the facultatively paedomorphic salamander _Notophthalmus_ _viridescens_ _dorsalis_. Copeia 1989:35-42. Semlitsch, R. D. and H. M. Wilbur. 1989. Artificial selection for pedomorphosis in the salamander _Ambystoma_ _talpoideum_. Evolution 43:105-112. Re (2): There is plenty of room for argument over the semantics, for instance neoteny versus paedogenesis. Many people prefer to avoid this argument and substitute the generic term paedomorphosis, the process of acquiring reproductive maturity while retaining some juvenile characters, and call the resulting animals paedomorphs. Even then, as you can see from the references, there is room for argument over the spelling. Re (3): Another fertile field for endless round-and-round arguments. I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. Ross -- Ross A. Alford Department of Zoology Internet: zlraa@marlin.jcu.edu.au James Cook University Phone: +61 77 81 4732 Townsville, Qld 4811 Australia