Skip to content

SciTech

Marmosets are marvelous !

by Paul Robinson 20 Jul 2014
Marmosets are marvelous !

The marmosets and tamarins are the smallest of the higher primates. This makes their genome extremely valuable in studying the human species and others. They have for example, the best fathers in the primate world, and that may include even ourselves looking at recent trends ! common marmoset image; Credit: © Shutterstock

The New World monkeys have their first full genome sequence. While the marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, is hardly typical, its rapid reproduction (with multiple births-80% are twins) and its physiology are unique. Jeffrey Rogers works in the Baylor Genome Sequencing Center in Houston where the research was carried out, and hopes this genome will shed more light on the evolution of the human genome.

He will see his hopes fulfilled if this distant branch of the primate tree compares directly with other species such as ourselves. He believes that one gene acts as a critical switch for a multiple or a single birth. The study of multiple births in the human species needs links such as this to progress. At the moment, we have much less successful twin growth and survival than the marmoset, who find it a breeze!

One unique characteristic of marmosets is the intriguing swapping of stem cells between dizygotic twins during development.. They can carry between 10 and 50% of their siblings DNA in their cells, which should cause the individuals problems, but it doesn’t. Another feature of marmosets is their society, which, like that of wolves, has a dominant pair. All relatives including the males care, carry and support the young of the pair, but are suppressed from sexual reproduction themselves.

Such adaptation responds well in situations such as disturbed forest habitats. Rapid population expansion is possible with support from, “the family.” Feeding habits and the diet must also fit well with these colonists. Small bodies could help too, with positive selection for 5 genes involved in low growth hormone production. This small size has a cluster of metabolic-rate change genes and body temperature adaptations associated with it too. Dr Kim Worley led the multi-talented international team from a consortium including the Universities of New Jersey, Houston, Washington and Texas (at San Antonio) published as- The common marmoset genome provides insight into primate biology and evolution, in Nature Genetics.

The common marmoset lived originally in NE Brazil but it’s quite an invasive species and is now common far to the south, and indeed in cities such as Rio and Buenos Aires. The other members of the marmoset family include the tamarins and of course the dwarf marmoset Cebuella pygmaea


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping