As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday, 20 May 2016

Bird DNA shows inbreeding linked to shorter lifespan


Date: May 16, 2016
Source: University of East Anglia

Pieces of DNA that predict lifespan are shorter in birds that are inbred, according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The findings mean that inbreeding could be linked to a shorter lifespan.

The team also found effects that spanned generations -- with the young of inbred mothers also being negatively affected.

The DNA pieces in question, known as telomeres, are found in almost all animals -- including humans.

They act as protective caps at each end of a chromosome -- providing protection from damaging substances.


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