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Faculty Publications
Disparate Rates of Molecular Evolution in Cospeciating Hosts and Parasites
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Science
Volume
265
Issue
5175
First Page
1087
Last Page
1090
Abstract
DNA sequences for the gene encoding mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I in a group of rodents (pocket gophers) and their ectoparasites (chewing lice) provide evidence for cospeciation and reveal different rates of molecular evolution in the hosts and their parasites. The overall rate of nucleotide substitution (both silent and replacement changes) is approximately three times higher in lice, and the rate of synonymous substitution (based on analysis of fourfold degenerate sites) is approximately an order of magnitude greater in lice. The difference in synonymous substitution rate between lice and gophers correlates with a difference of similar magnitude in generation times.
Department
Department of Biology
Original Publication Date
1-1-1994
DOI of published version
10.1126/science.8066445
Recommended Citation
Demastes, James W.; Hafner, Mark S.; Sudman, Philip D.; Villablanca, Francis X.; Spradling, Theresa A.; and Nadler, Steven A., "Disparate Rates of Molecular Evolution in Cospeciating Hosts and Parasites" (1994). Faculty Publications. 6185.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/6185