Convergent Evolution of Silks in Arthropods

This article details a study regarding the convergent evolution of silk production in a few different arthropods. In particular, the study selected a type of butterfly, three types of caddisfly, and a type of spider. They each had different uses for their types of silk. They found that the variation in silk gene alleles are relatively consistent when compared between organisms which have long since been independently evolving. They suggested that this means there are common mechanisms for the formation of those genes within organisms. The researchers stress that they would like to repeat this study with other organisms which share similar traits but evolved independently. 

    The topic of convergent evolution is one that has always intrigued me. I am particularly interested in the pathways that evolution takes to develop similar traits despite independent evolution of organisms… As well as the fact that the above study could be replicated and utilized to study other traits relative to convergent evolution. Not only am I interested in the replication of this study, but the evolution of silk producing glands and maintenance of them in arthropods is such a cool concept. Overall, I look forward to seeing what other types of evolutionary genetic comparisons these researchers go on to make.

Centipedes and Evolution

The first genetic sequences of centipedes has recently been mapped out. The sequences found in the centipede genome are giving researchers the ability to learn more about evolution. As members of arthropods and more specifically myriapods, centipedes of the species Strigamia maritima were sequences. This simplistic species can be used to learn more about complex arthropods.

One author of this study, Ariel Chipman, the genetic sequencing of these arthropods shows how they've changed over time. It helps demonstrate the changes from living in water to living on land. For example, Chipman was able to conclude that myriapods and insects changed their preferred environment differently from one another. One example of this is the fact that centipedes don't have the olfactory genes insects have. Instead, centipedes have enhanced another aspect of their genome, which is not present in insects. One species of centipedes have no eyes and live underground, and this demonstrates how the environment influences evolution. Therefore, their other senses are enhanced.

Research on genomes was fixated on humans, but now there is enough knowledge that scientists are able to research animals. Knowing the genomes of more simple organisms will enable scientists to learn more about human genetics. In the future, this will serve several purposes.

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141125140807.htm
Supporting Article: http://www.plosbiology.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.1002005

Centipedes get genome sequenced, reveal secrets of arthropod evolution

The genome of centipedes have been sequenced for the first time. Arthropods are underrepresented in terms of which organisms get sequenced. Professors at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem postulate that the centipede's genome tells us how arthropods made the sea-to-land transition.

It turns out that insects and centipedes independently evolved mechanisms for life on land. Centipedes do not have the gene for air-sniffing that insects do, so it sought elsewhere in its genetic arenal for a solution--at a locus that insects lack.

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