I just got back from a conference + mini-vacation, and haven’t been able to post while I was away. It seems some important papers came out while I was offline. For more, see these summaries already available in blogtown.
Endogenous (non-retro) virus evolution:
Substantial differences in Y-chromosomes of humans versus chimps:
Discovery of fossil tetrapod tracks older than previously anticipated:
Look at that huge chunk of heterochromatin in humans. I believe there are lots of Y heterochromatin polymorphism in humans and others. Hawks idea of hitchhiking makes sense. I wonder if there is any correlation between heterochromatin amount and gene loss or gain on the chromosome?
Bill Beaver(Quote)