Genome Size And Wing Parameters In Passerine Birds

Main Category: Genetics
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry;  Veterinary
Article Date: 03 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Amounts of DNA per genome vary more than 7,000-fold among animal species. Some groups such as amphibians exhibit a large range in genome size, whereas others like birds are limited to relatively small genomes.

Genome size correlates positively with cell size, which is associated with an inverse relationship between DNA amount and metabolic rate in mammals and birds.

It has been argued that the small genome sizes of birds are associated with the metabolic demands of powered flight.

This study used original measurements of genome size, cell size, and wing parameters from 74 species of passerine birds and found positive relationships between genome size and cell size, and between genome size and wing loading index.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences