The structure of the ribosome will be investigated as a source of information for reconstructing the evolutionary history of vertebrates, especially salamanders. The evolutionary relationships inferred from these data will permit evaluation of the mechanisms of molecular evolution, organismal evolution and speciation that have been utilized during vertebrate evolution. This information will be particularly useful for investigating the developmental mechanisms by which novel, adaptive features are produced by the evolutionary process. Resolution of evolutionary relationships will permit the construction of a more stable and useful taxonomic classification for the species studied. This study will identify which parts of the ribosome are likely to be most informative for evaluating evolutionary relationships across a broad spectrum of evolutionary time, thereby facilitating evolutionary studies of additional taxa.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)
Application #
8708393
Program Officer
Scott L. Collins
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1987-10-15
Budget End
1991-03-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
$230,366
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130