Texas A&M University-Texarkana
BSC 466 -- Evolutionary Biology
Paper Assignment

Your assignment is to select, read, and prepare a review of a research paper on some topic in evolutionary biology from an approved  journal in our library (Nature, Science, Ecology, American Naturalist, etc.).  You must bring a copy of the paper to me for approval.  Each person is to review a different paper, so first-come first-serve.   I will post the titles of the papers on this webpage as they are selected.

You will write at least a two page (typed (12 point), double-spaced, with one inch margins) and also present an oral summary lasting at least 10 minutes.  Be ready to answer questions!  You will turn in a copy of the paper with your review.  We will begin giving presentations on September 14.  There will be a signup sheet available for selecting a date for your presentation.  This counts as a daily grade.  The written part of this presentation will be submitted via the turnitin website (www.turnitin.com)

 

Papers Already Selected

  • Cohn, Martin J., Tickle, Cheryll.  1999.  Development basis of limblessness and axial patterning in snakes. Nature; 6/Vol. 399 Issue 6/35, p474

  • David J. D. Earn, Jonathan Dushoff and Simon A. Levin.  2002.  Ecology and evolution of the flu.  Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Volume 17, Issue 7, 1 , Pages 334-340

  • Diamond, J. 2002.  Evolution, consequences and future of plant and animal domestication.  Nature 418: 700-707.

  • Elena, S. F.; and R. E. Lenski. 2003.  Evolution Experiments with Microorgansisms: The Dynamics and Genetic Bases of Adaptation. Nature. Vol 4. Issue 6, p457.

  • Ferguson, N., Galvani, A., & Bush, R. Ecological and immunological determinants of influencza evolution. Nature, 422 (6930), 428-433. (Tentative)

  • Garant, D., E.B Loeske,  Robin McCleery, and B. C. Sheldon.  2004. Evolution in a Changing Environment: A Case Study with Great Tit Fledging Mass.  American Naturalist.  Vol. 164, p. E000.  http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/AN/journal/issues/v164n5/40273/40273.html

  • Grant, P, R.,. and B. R. Grant.  2002.  Unpredictable Evolution in a 30-Year Study of Darwin's Finches.   Science; 4/26/2002, Vol. 296 Issue 5568, p707.

  • Hagman, M., A. Forsman, and P. Wainwright.  2003.  Correlated Evolution of Conspicuous Coloration and Body Size in Poison Frogs.  Vol. 57 Issue 12.

  • Hargeby, A., Johansson J., and Ahnesjö J. 2004. Habitat-Specific Pigmentation in a Freshwater Isopod: Adaptive Evolution over a Small Spatiotemporal Scale. Evolution 58:81-94 (Tentative) Gandon, S. 2004.  Evolution of Multihost Parasites. Evolution.  Vol. 58 Issue 3.

  • Inbar, M., Wink, M., Wool, D. 2004 Jan. The Evolution of host plant manipulation by insects: molecular and ecological evidence from gall-forming aphida on Pistacia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Vol. 32, Issue 2. pp.504-511.

  • Marroig, G. and J. Cheverud.  2004.  Did Natural Selection or Genetic Drift Produce the Cranial Diversification of Neotropical Monkeys?, The American Naturalist.  Vol. 163, Iss. 3, Pg 417.

  • Podos, J. and S.  Nowicki.Beaks.   2004.  Adaptation, and Vocal Evolution in Darwin's Finches. BioScience; Vol 54 No 6, pgs 501-509.

  • Semendeferi, K., Lu, A., Schenker, N., and Damasio, H.  2002.  Humans and great apes share a large frontal cortex. Nature neuroscience. 5, 272-276

  • Wallace, A.  1999.  Variable segment number in centipedes: population genetics meets evolutionary developmental biology.  Evolution & Development 1(1):62 - 69.