From: tpi.hormel@attbi.com
Date: Sat Apr 26 2003 - 18:22:47 EDT
Debbie Mann asked:
> How does evolution change the number of Chromosomes?
...
Well, evolution doesn't change the number of chromosomes. Evolution
is not the driver of such changes, but it can be the outcome.
For example, the generation of polyploid plants has been observed
in labs and this mechanism it is potentially a major factor in some
forms of plant speciation. I think a few cases in amphibians and
fish have also been described although it is probably a lot
rarer in "higher" animals.
We can also find examples of chromosome splittings as well as
fusions. Przewalski's horse is an example of the former and humans
are an example of the latter. Contrary to popular belief, crosses
between organisms with different numbers of chromosomes don't
necessarily create sterile progeny (Often, but not always). What
seems to be important is how well the chromosomal segments can line
up and segregate during division into gametes.
A quick search on "polyploidy" and "changes in chromosome numbers"
pulled this up:
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/may2001/989331026.Ev.r.html
I also ran across this old post from the defunct evolution
reflector of the asa:
http://www.asa3.org/archive/evolution/199505-10/0641.html
You might recognize some names there...
- tpi.hormel@attbi.hormel.com (to despam, remove 2nd "hormel")
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